1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable medical sharps disposal containers having detachably interconnected locking covers, and more particularly to reversible and/or rotatable cap locking receptacles for medical sharps disposal and containers that are inexpensive and simple to manufacture.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of medical waste disposal receptacles with locking means have been provided. It is known to destroy used needle/syringes, e.g. by severing and separating the syringe barrel from its needle, and containing medical waste in a container for disposal, preventing harmful accidental needle sticks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,150 to Otto et al. discloses a disposable container for medical trash including a lid that can be temporarily closed or permanently sealed closed for disposal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,613 to Baudry et al. show a medical waste box with a sliding closure that can be permanently locked closed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,313 to Rigling provides a medical waste container which has a two position hinged door that can be temporarily closed or permanently locked depending on the degree of force applied. Also child safety medicine containers are known, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,450 to Buono which discloses a cap for a container that is reversible. In one position, the cap snaps on the container and is held in a child proof manner. However such is not described, appropriate for locking or known for medical sharps disposal purposes. If the Buono cap is reversed, the cap is held on the bottle in a more temporary manner as opposed to use in the child proof manner; neither of which provide for locking or sealing engagement.
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved container and cap arrangement for use as locking receptacles for medical sharps disposal, which avoids the disadvantages of prior apparatus while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
To this end, a reversible cap or rotatable cap/cover facilitates locking receptacles for medical sharps disposal. The devices and methods are provide a container having an opening for receiving items including medical sharps for disposal. A reversible cap or lid covers the opening of the container in two different orientations, and locks with the container for disposal. The cap or lid may be provided as having a one side for use in an unlocked orientation, with the cap or lid having another side for use in a locked or sealed orientation.
Additional features of the invention include the container and cover or cap being portable, and of simple, economical construction.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the inventions, the accompanying figures, and the descriptions illustrate embodiments thereof, from which the inventions, structure, construction and operation, and many related advantages may be readily understood and appreciated.
The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Referring to Drawings Sheets, there are illustrated Medical Sharps Disposal Container embodiments which may be of the type for Diabetes Sharps Disposal Container designed for people that use syringes and sharps, hence producing bio-hazardous waste.
The container 10 of the present preferred embodiment, and as shown in
In the present described embodiments the container 10 is high impact polystyrene and injection molded. The device 18 is provided as being puncture-resistant. The locking prong piece is sonic welded to the lid 12. The insert 20 under the prongs 24 is polyethylene foam and is die cut. As illustrated, alternate embodiments may be employed to accomplish different types of locking mechanisms on a “tube type” container 10 by way of “closing motions” with the orientation of the top cover 12. To this end, the cap 12 features both a permanent locking mechanism 16 and temporary seal 14 for initial delivery. Thereafter the user disposes the device 18 in accordance with state and local regulations.
The device 18 is provided as a portable medical sharps disposal device including a container 10 having an opening for receiving items including medical sharps for disposal. The reversible cap or lid 12 covers the opening of the container 10 in two different orientations, and locks with the container 10 for disposal. The cap or lid 12 may be provided as having a one side 14 for use in an unlocked orientation, with the cap or lid 12 having another side 16 for use in a locked or sealed orientation. Various embodiments are disclosed in which the cover 12 may be flipped over, rotated, or slid with respect to the opening of the container 10 to facilitate the respective unlocked 14 or locked 16 orientations as seen in
The embodiment of
The embodiment of
The device 18 may alternatively be provided with an indicator 38 for showing when the cover 12 is in the unlocked 16 orientation or when the cover 12 is in the locked 16 position as shown in
For the purpose of illustration with reference to the drawings sheets hereto, the device 18 in accordance with the present inventions may be used as follows:
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved disposal device of simple and economical construction. While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/887,065, filed on Jan. 29, 2007 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60887065 | Jan 2007 | US |