Tamper-evident pen needle outer cover
View Patent ↗A pen needle outer cover ( 10 ) has a molded plastic distal cover ( 20 ), and a molded plastic proximal cover ( 22 ) in place of the conventional paper-foil label. The proximal cover ( 22 ) may be snap-fit over the opening of the distal cover ( 20 ). A user-separable section ( 26 ) with a finger pull tab ( 32 ) is defined by a reduced-thickness membrane ( 24 ), which functions as a tear line to allow that section ( 26 ) to at least partially separate from the proximal cover ( 22 ). A living hinge ( 27 ) may be provided to keep the user-separable section ( 26 ) from completely separating from the proximal cover ( 22 ). The finger pull tab ( 32 ) may be configured to enable re-covering of a pen needle ( 30 ) that is still within the outer cover ( 10 ).
1. A pen needle outer cover, comprising:
a plastic distal cover portion having a closed distal end, an opening at a proximal end and an attachment member adjacent the opening; and
a plastic proximal cover portion engaging the attachment member, the proximal cover portion having a rupturable, thin-walled border portion defining a user-separable section of the proximal cover portion; wherein
the user-separable section has a finger pull tab at an outer end thereof;
the distal cover portion includes a first latching portion; and
the finger pull tab includes a second latching portion configured to engage the first latching portion.
2. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , including a living hinge on the proximal cover portion connecting the user-separable section to the proximal cover portion and allowing the user-separable section to pivot when the thin-walled border portion is ruptured.
3. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 2 , wherein the living hinge divides the thin-walled border portion into two segments.
4. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the user-separable section can be removed completely from the proximal cover portion.
5. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 4 , wherein the thin-walled border portion is continuous, thus defining a closed shape.
6. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment member includes a flange adjacent the opening of the distal cover portion.
7. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment member includes a flange running substantially around the opening of the distal cover portion, and the proximal cover portion is snap-fit over the flange.
8. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the distal cover portion and the proximal cover portion are made of injection molded polyethylene and the thin-walled border portion has a thickness in the range of 0.004 to 0.012 mm.
9. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the first latching portion can be releasably re-engaged with the second latching portion after the user-separable section has been separated at the thin-walled border portion.
10. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein a sidewall of the distal cover portion includes the first latching portion.
11. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the first latching portion includes a lateral projection and the second latching portion includes an aperture configured to capture the lateral projection.
12. The pen needle outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal cover portion is transparent.
13. A pen needle assembly, comprising:
a hub and a cannula fixed axially to the hub; and
the pen needle outer cover of claim 1 .
14. The pen needle assembly according to claim 13 , including a living hinge on the proximal cover portion connecting the user-separable section to the proximal cover portion and allowing the user-separable section to pivot when the thin-walled border portion is ruptured.
15. The pen needle assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the living hinge divides the thin-walled border portion into two segments.
16. The pen needle assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the user-separable section can be removed completely from the proximal cover portion.
17. The pen needle assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the thin-walled border portion is continuous, thus defining a closed shape.