Needle counter device

Abstract

A needle counter device which includes a latch mechanism for securing the device in a closed condition. The latch mechanism preferably consists of a latch member which is integrated into the edge of a lid of the device and which is configured to be received in a corresponding hole or aperture in a base of the device, as this arrangement simplifies manufacturing, as well as increases resistance to deflection and spreads the opening load (i.e., the load used to unlatch the latch mechanism) into a whole side of the part instead of having the load be concentrated at a narrow portion. This latch mechanism can be implemented in connection with a needle counter device as described above, wherein the needle counter device utilizes an adhesive disposed in one or more troughs. Alternatively, the latch mechanism can be implemented in connection with a more conventional needle counter device, such as one which does not include an adhesive disposed in one or more troughs.

1 . A needle retaining device comprising: a lid; a base integral with or connected to the lid and configured to retain needles, wherein an edge of the lid has a latch integral therewith, wherein the latch is receivable in a corresponding hole in the base, thereby locking the needle retaining device in a closed condition.  
   
   
       2 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lid includes a lip and said base includes a planar surface, wherein said lip of said lid seats against the planar surface of said base when said needle retaining device is closed, wherein there is at least one trough provided in said planar surface of said base; and a cohesive material disposed in the trough, wherein said cohesive material is configured to bond to a needle and thereafter resist withdrawal of said needle.  
   
   
       3 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said hole is provided in a planar surface of said base, and, wherein there is at least one trough provided in said planar surface of said base; and a cohesive material disposed in the trough, wherein said cohesive material is configured to bond to a needle and thereafter resist withdrawal of said needle.  
   
   
       4 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a raised lip which extends from a planar surface of the base, said raised lip configured to serve at least one of the following functions: locate the lid when the needle retaining device is closed; provide structural support for the lid against dislodgement by transferring a load to the base when the needle retaining device is closed and receives an impact; provide a tortuous path against escape of a contaminate needle or sharp contained within the needle retaining device when the needle retaining device is closed; and prevent damaging relative motion between the latch and a hinge of the needle retaining device due to side impact by resolving impact loads within the lid and base.  
   
   
       5 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lid and the base are two different sized and shaped pieces which are configured to perform different functions.  
   
   
       6 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a surface, at least one trough provided in said surface; and a cohesive material disposed in the trough, wherein said cohesive material is configured to bond to a needle and thereafter resist withdrawal of said needle.  
   
   
       7 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said cohesive material is configured such that the needle is easier to stick in the cohesive material than it is to pull the needle out of the cohesive material.  
   
   
       8 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said needle retaining device includes a plurality of troughs provided in said surface.  
   
   
       9 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said trough is V-shaped.  
   
   
       10 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said trough sidewalls are arrayed with an included angle between the opposing faces.  
   
   
       11 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein sidewalls which define said trough generally prevent the needle from falling over.  
   
   
       12 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said cohesive material comprises a hot melt cohesive material.  
   
   
       13 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the lid is at least one of connected and integral with said base, said lid being pivotable relative to said base, wherein said needle retaining device is openable and closeable.  
   
   
       14 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the needle retaining device is configured such that once the device is closed, the device tends to remain closed unless intentionally opened.  
   
   
       15 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a latch structure which is configured to secure said lid and said base relative to each other.  
   
   
       16 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a layer of cohesive material disposed on an inside surface of said lid.  
   
   
       17 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a piece of resilient foam disposed on an inside surface of said lid.  
   
   
       18 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a layer of cohesive material disposed on an inside surface of said lid, and a piece of resilient foam disposed on the inside surface of said lid, proximate said layer of cohesive material.  
   
   
       19 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a magnetic surface disposed on an inside surface of said lid.  
   
   
       20 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein sides of the trough are lined with structure which is configured to prevent an accidentally laid needle from unintentionally contacting the cohesive material.  
   
   
       21 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said structure which is configured to prevent an accidentally laid needle from unintentionally contacting the cohesive material comprises pickets.  
   
   
       22 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising numerical indicia disposed on said surface, proximate said trough, said numerical indicia configured to provide a visual counting assist of needles retained by said cohesive material.  
   
   
       23 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said cohesive material comprises an adhesive.  
   
   
       24 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said cohesive material is translucent.  
   
   
       25 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said cohesive material is homogeneous.  
   
   
       26 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said adhesive is at least 0.060 inches deep.  
   
   
       27 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a hinge mechanism configured to provide that the lid is pivotable relative to the base, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a “U” shaped hinge member having a cleat configured to retain a complimentary hinge pin.  
   
   
       28 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the “U” shaped hinge member is provided on the base, and the complimentary hinge pin is provided on the lid.  
   
   
       29 . A needle retaining device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the latch comprises an integral barb which depends directly from a wall of the lid and penetrates the hole in the base, thereby securing the device in a closed condition.