Entrance gate for a needle disposal shield.

摘要

A gate or cap (12) is provided for slipping over the front end of a needle shield to prevent body fluid in or on a contaminated used needle from flying out the front end of the needle shield either when the shield is being locked in place over the needle after use or during subsequent handling. The cap of the invention includes a front wall of a plurality of flexible flaps (16; 46; 62) which provide, simultaneously, for the required protection while allowing passage of the needle (52; 72) through the cap with ease. The flaps may be in a depressed form to space the front wall or gate from the fingers of a user. There is no wiping of the needle as the needle moves through the cap into position inside the needle shield. No membrane penetration is required. As an additional feature, the gate or cap includes integral spaced annular ridges (14) for frictional gripping of the front end of the shield. It is within the purview of this invention that it may be formed as an integral gate for the front end of a needle shield (44, 66).