Sharps container for safe transportation and dispensing of unused pen needle assemblies and for sequential safe storage of used pen needles

摘要

A sharps container for (i) the safe storage and dispensing of unused pen needle assemblies and (ii) a safe means for receiving used pen needles and ejecting same into the container. The container comprises a housing within which is rotatably mounted a used pen needle receiving and ejecting means. Used pen needles are inserted into the receiving means. The receiving and ejecting means is rotated and, during the rotation, cam follower means connected to the ejecting means engages cam means within the housing to cause the ejection of the used pen needle into the housing. The housing also has a separate storage space for unused pen needle assemblies. Alternate structures provide for withdrawal of unused pen needle assemblies for dispensing. The dispensing can be done on a serial basis where the pen needle assemblies which are attached to a flexible tape for serial withdrawal from the housing through an exit opening. The dispensing can also be done on a bulk basis where a plurality of unused pen needle assemblies are transferred through the exit opening at the same time.