Outer cover of a pen needle for a drug delivery pen

Abstract

A connecting member removably connects a plurality of pen needles together, thereby providing a convenient way for a patient to carry multiple pen needles. The connecting member may be integrally formed with the outer cover of the pen needle or may be a separate member that removably receives the pen needle. An outer cover of a pen needle is provided with gripping means to facilitate gripping and handling of the outer cover. A lid connects to the outer cover to seal the outer cover. The lid also has gripping means to facilitate gripping and handling the lid. A cap is provided that has a first opening for receiving a first end of the outer cover and a second opening for receiving a second end of the outer cover.

1 . A pen needle assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of pen needles; and   means for removably connecting said plurality of pen needles to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 said means for removably connecting comprises a connecting member.   
     
     
         3 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein
 said connecting member is integrally formed with an outer cover of said pen needle.   
     
     
         4 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 3 , wherein
 said connecting member comprises a male member and a female member connected to each of said plurality of pen needles, said male member of a first pen needle receiving said female member of a second pen needle.   
     
     
         5 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein
 said male member comprises a pin and said female member comprises a ring.   
     
     
         6 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein
 said connecting member comprises a spine to which each of said plurality of pen needles is removably connected.   
     
     
         7 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein
 one of said spine and said plurality of pen needles has a ball member and the other of said spine and said plurality of pen needles has a socket member, said ball member removably receiving said socket member.   
     
     
         8 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein
 said spine has a plurality of openings adapted to removably receive said plurality of pen needles.   
     
     
         9 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 8 , wherein
 said plurality of openings is adapted to removably receive either a first or second end of said plurality of pen needles.   
     
     
         10 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 3 , wherein
 a lid is removably connected to an open end of said outer cover of said pen needle.   
     
     
         11 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 10 , wherein
 a flexible arm connects said lid to said outer cover.   
     
     
         12 . A pen needle assembly, comprising:
 an outer cover adapted to receive a hub and a needle therein, said outer cover having means to facilitate a user's grip thereon;   a first removable lid to seal said outer cover, said lid having means to facilitate the user's grip thereon.   
     
     
         13 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein
 at least one of said outer cover and said first lid has a plurality of axially extending ribs or grooves.   
     
     
         14 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein
 said outer cover and said first lid are made of a puncture resistant material.   
     
     
         15 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein
 said first lid has a handle.   
     
     
         16 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein
 said first lid is integrally formed with said outer cover as one piece.   
     
     
         17 . The pen needle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein
 said outer cover has a first section and a second section, each of said sections being adapted to receive a separate hub and a needle; and   said first removable lid seals said first section and a second removable lid seals said second section.   
     
     
         18 . A cap for a pen needle assembly, comprising:
 a base;   a projection extending upwardly from said base;   a first opening formed in said projection; and   a side wall extending downwardly from said base, said side wall defining a second opening;   wherein said first opening is adapted to receive a first end of an outer cover of a pen needle assembly and said second opening is adapted to receive a second end of said outer cover to cover a non-patient end of a needle of the pen needle assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The cap for a pen needle assembly of  claim 18 , wherein
 a plurality of tabs extend inwardly from an inner surface of said side wall to facilitate receiving the second end of said outer cover.   
     
     
         20 . The cap for a pen needle assembly of  claim 18 , wherein
 said cap is made of a puncture resistant material.