CA2122444A1 - Sharps collector - Google Patents
Sharps collectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA2122444A1 CA2122444A1 CA002122444A CA2122444A CA2122444A1 CA 2122444 A1 CA2122444 A1 CA 2122444A1 CA 002122444 A CA002122444 A CA 002122444A CA 2122444 A CA2122444 A CA 2122444A CA 2122444 A1 CA2122444 A1 CA 2122444A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- receptacle
- cover
- disposable
- syringes
- apertures
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
- B65F1/00—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor
- B65F1/14—Other constructional features; Accessories
- B65F1/16—Lids or covers
- B65F1/1607—Lids or covers with filling openings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
- A61B50/30—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
- A61B50/36—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for collecting or disposing of used articles
- A61B50/362—Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for collecting or disposing of used articles for sharps
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S220/00—Receptacles
- Y10S220/12—Molded
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S220/00—Receptacles
- Y10S220/14—Plastic
Abstract
2122444 9309039 PCTABS00022 A sharps collector (10) comprising a container for holding, storing, and disposing syringes. The sharps collector (10) includes a disposable receptacle (12) and a decorative cover (14). The receptacle (12) preferably has two elongated apertures (40a, 40b) and chutes (54) associated with each aperture. The chutes (54) are designed to guide syringes into the receptacle once the syringes pass through an aperture. The cover (14) includes an elongated aperture (26) through which a shuttle (16) is accessed. The shuttle (16) directs syringes to the concealed apertures (40a, 40b) and chutes (54) of the receptacle (12). The syringes to be disposed are placed in the shuttle (16) and the shuttle (16) is manually shifted such that a syringe is pushed towards an aperture (40a) and chute (54). The syringe then falls through the aperture (40a), is guided by the chute (54), and ultimately falls into the receptacle (12) and is contained within the receptacle (12). The cover (14) can be detached from a receptacle when that receptacle is ready to be discarded.
Description
WO 93/0~039 PCI/US92/0~490 2122~ l DESCRIPTION
Shan~s Collert-or Introduc:tion The pr~sent invention relates to collectc~r davice~, and more partic:ularly to a "sharps'~ collector for devi es uch as ~:yringe~;.
5 Baçk~round of the Invention The term "~;harpsl' applies to any sharp deYic us~d in medical ~pplications, such as hypodermic needl~s, lances, and he like. The dangers of disposing of these devices after use have become more pre~alent with expanding 10 disea ~s such ~as P.I~S and hepatitis. ~3efore dispc~sal, the ~; u~3ed devices must be contained such that exposure to ~;hers i~; ~inimized. These dispo~;~l problems are present n ho~;pitals an~l doc~or's offices, aald are also present in ho:~e ~ttings . Diabetics, f or example, and Qthers must :15 dispose of numerous usad needles and syringes. There ar~
p~esen~ly over two million diabetics in the United States, each~ of whom usa an average of one and one-half syringes ~: : per day.
In addition to the pro~lem of pro~iding a r~aeptacl~
0 f or receiving used syring~, the contailler itself must be d1~posable, ~o}d a r~sonable m~mber of :~inges, insure that the ~3yringe~3 ax~ ~tacXed or packed in sDme suitable way, be ~;afe to us~ without a d@ps)sited syringe ~;tic:king ut or reemerging i~rom the receptacle, b~ ~;eaure so that 25 a c:hild or animal cannot reach in and injur~ th~mselves on lthe discarded syringes contained therein, be closeable for di~;posal, and be puncture resistant; leak resistant, br~ak re~îstant~ ~5 well as be tamper re~;istar~t ~fter being clo ed 2nd tamper evident if opened. Tlhe us~ of non toxic 30 ~aterials and incineratable materials is important because some receptacles are incinerat~d and/or slisp~sed of at W093/n9039 PCT/US92/09490 212~4~
di~po~al sites. ~lsv, for use in doctor's offices the receptacles may need to be autoclavable~
5~ ' The pre~ent ~nvention is in~ended to mee~ the foragoing r~quirem~nts ~hile solving many of the problems associated with the storage and disposal of us~d syringes.
The pre~ent invention relates to a sharp~ collector including a di~posable rec~ptacle for receiving syringes in particular/ and other ~harps in general. A preferred and exemplary ~mbodiment of the invention as shown and described herein is particularly design~d for insulin syring~s (0~3, 0.5 and 1.0 ml.~. The collector preferably aI-~o include~ a reu-~able decorative cover. The receptacle and cover can be pa~.kaged together in a box wit~ new syringe or ~hipment ~nd ~ale.
The receptacle i~ a box-like structure and includes ~ pair o~ aperturPs which act as acaess ports and have specially designed c~ute~ for permittinq different si2ed ~yr~nges to fall into the receptacle and be prevented fr~m
Shan~s Collert-or Introduc:tion The pr~sent invention relates to collectc~r davice~, and more partic:ularly to a "sharps'~ collector for devi es uch as ~:yringe~;.
5 Baçk~round of the Invention The term "~;harpsl' applies to any sharp deYic us~d in medical ~pplications, such as hypodermic needl~s, lances, and he like. The dangers of disposing of these devices after use have become more pre~alent with expanding 10 disea ~s such ~as P.I~S and hepatitis. ~3efore dispc~sal, the ~; u~3ed devices must be contained such that exposure to ~;hers i~; ~inimized. These dispo~;~l problems are present n ho~;pitals an~l doc~or's offices, aald are also present in ho:~e ~ttings . Diabetics, f or example, and Qthers must :15 dispose of numerous usad needles and syringes. There ar~
p~esen~ly over two million diabetics in the United States, each~ of whom usa an average of one and one-half syringes ~: : per day.
In addition to the pro~lem of pro~iding a r~aeptacl~
0 f or receiving used syring~, the contailler itself must be d1~posable, ~o}d a r~sonable m~mber of :~inges, insure that the ~3yringe~3 ax~ ~tacXed or packed in sDme suitable way, be ~;afe to us~ without a d@ps)sited syringe ~;tic:king ut or reemerging i~rom the receptacle, b~ ~;eaure so that 25 a c:hild or animal cannot reach in and injur~ th~mselves on lthe discarded syringes contained therein, be closeable for di~;posal, and be puncture resistant; leak resistant, br~ak re~îstant~ ~5 well as be tamper re~;istar~t ~fter being clo ed 2nd tamper evident if opened. Tlhe us~ of non toxic 30 ~aterials and incineratable materials is important because some receptacles are incinerat~d and/or slisp~sed of at W093/n9039 PCT/US92/09490 212~4~
di~po~al sites. ~lsv, for use in doctor's offices the receptacles may need to be autoclavable~
5~ ' The pre~ent ~nvention is in~ended to mee~ the foragoing r~quirem~nts ~hile solving many of the problems associated with the storage and disposal of us~d syringes.
The pre~ent invention relates to a sharp~ collector including a di~posable rec~ptacle for receiving syringes in particular/ and other ~harps in general. A preferred and exemplary ~mbodiment of the invention as shown and described herein is particularly design~d for insulin syring~s (0~3, 0.5 and 1.0 ml.~. The collector preferably aI-~o include~ a reu-~able decorative cover. The receptacle and cover can be pa~.kaged together in a box wit~ new syringe or ~hipment ~nd ~ale.
The receptacle i~ a box-like structure and includes ~ pair o~ aperturPs which act as acaess ports and have specially designed c~ute~ for permittinq different si2ed ~yr~nges to fall into the receptacle and be prevented fr~m
2~ reemerging~ The receptacle also has a pair of aperture co~ers which proYide locking doors and may be flipped o~er the re~p~ctive ap~rt ~ es and chut~s, and snapped ~ecurely clo~;~d tc ~aak2 t~e receptat:le tamper reBi~tant once it is ~ull and ready for final disposal.
The chute de~ign allows dif~erent sizes of syringes, with or without attached needles, to relia~ly fall into the receptacle in an organized and reasonable mann~r~ The design shown and describ~d herein is ~or 0~3, 0.5 and ~.0 1~ ' ~1. insul in . yringes. The cover has a shuttle for directing ~yringes to the apertures and chutes~ The chute : and fihuttle designs cause the syrlnges to align with he longitudinal axi~ o~ the chute ~nd to fall ev~nly into the r ceptacl~. Thus, the syringes can fall into the receptacle in a manner which ensures effici~nt use of space. This "stacking" scheme enables the syringes to be inserted in a horizontal orientation and fall horizontally W0~3/09039 PCT/U~9~9490 " 2122~4~
~"horizontal dxop~) into the receptacle and ensures that the reeeptacle will hold a raasonable numb~r of syringes while enabling a relatively low profile container to be provided. In addition, the chute de~ign preventæ any syringes from protruding out of the receptacle and from being ea~ily reached or removed~
The reusable cover is provided to fit over the di~po~able receptacle~ H~wevert the disposable receptacle can be used with or without the cover. Th~ cover also has the ~huttle, tarmed a double shu~tle, ~hich serves to push the used syringes toward a particular aperture and chute, and cau e each syringe to descend into the receptacle~
The cover and shuttle allow the syringe~ to be alternately discarded int~ the rec~ptacle through one, and then the otherO of the chutes. Using the chutes alternately helps en ure an ~ven distribution and nesting vf the syring~s :~ within the rec~ptacle And, thus, the efficient use of spaca within the receptacle~ Although two apertures and chut~s are u~ed in the present preferred embodiment to : 20 help distri~ute the syringes and hold down the container siz~ and center of ~ravity thro~gh the uæa of "horizontal : ` drop,~ a single aperture and chut~ can be used.
~The cover pref~ra~ly is desi ~ ed ~uch that it can be ; snapped onto, and lock~d with, the underlying receptacle 2S ~ut be guickly and ~imply unlocked for reu~e when the dispo~able receptacle i~ discarded~ This locking arrangement render~. ~he collector child r@sistant and t~mper resistant~ The cover a~d æhuttle design provides the furthex b~nefit of completely concealing from view the !
aperture and chute features of the di~posable receptacle.
The chute design, along with the cover and ~huttle : d~igns, rend~r beyond reach the ~yringes which ar~
enclo ed in the receptacle.
~EiÇf Description_of the Drawin~s FIG. 1 is a per~pectiv~ view of a compl~te sharps collector of the present invention as it is used.
W093/~9039 PCr/~S9~/09~9~
2122~4 `
FIG. 2A is a peEspective view of the disposable r~ceptacle o~ ~IG. 2B as pacXaged syringes are removed therefrom in preparation for use.
FIG~ 2B is a perspective view of a dispo~able r~eeptacle of FIG. 1 as a decorative cover of FI~. i is b~ing attached.
FIG. 3A is a ~ottom view of a decoratiYe cover of the coll~ctor.
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the co~er taken : 10 along line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along line 3C-3C in FI~. 3A.
FIG~ 4A is a top view of a double shuttle for use with the cover of the present invention.
lS FIG. 4B i~ a side view of the double ~huttle.
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the double shuttl~ taken along line 4C 4C in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional vizw of the double shut~le taken al~ng line ~D-4D in FIG. 4A.
~IG. 4E i~ ~ cross-sectional view ~f the double huttle taken ~long line 4E-4E in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4F is a cross-sactional view of the double ; ~hut~le ~a~en along line 4F-4F in FI&. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a top view of on~ of a pair of guides for the double sh~ttle o~ ~he pre~ent invention.
FIG. 5B is a front view of the yuideO
: FIG. 5C ig a side vi~w of tha ~uide.
FIG. 5D is a ~rag~entary view oP the botto~ side of the guide.
I FIG. 5E i~ a cross-sectional view of the guide taken along line 5~-5E in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional Yiew of the ~uide taken along line 5F-SF in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5G i~ a oross-.~ctional Yiew of the ~uid~ taken along line SG-S~ in FIG. 5A.
FIG. SX is a detail~d enlargement of an atta¢hment hook o~ the guide taken from circle 5H in FIG~ 5~.
W~3/0~039 PCT/~2/~949D
. . ~
- 2:1~2~4~
FIG. 6A is a top vi~w of a top s~ction of a dispo~able receptacle o~ ~he present invention.
FIG. 6B i~ a front view o~ the top section.
FIG. 6C is a cross sectional view of the top section taken along line 6C-6C in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6D is a cross-s~tional view of the top s~ction taken along line 6D-6D in FIG. 6A~
FIG~ ~E i~ a rross~-secti~nal view of the top section with aperture cover~ in an open position taken along line 6E 6E in FIG. 6A~
~ IG. 6F is an enlarged partial bot~om view of the top section.
FIG. 6G is a ~etailed enlargement o~ a tab part of an atta~hm~nt ~echanism of the disposable receptacle taken ~rom circle 6G in F~G. 6E.
FIG. 6H is an enlarged cross se~tional Vi8W of an attachment slot o~ the disposable receptacle taken along line 6H-6H in FIG. 6A.
: FIG. 6I is an enlarqed cross-s~ctional view of an :~ 20 ~perture and aperture cover of ~he dispo~able receptacle with ~ e ap~rture c~Yer in an open posit ion taken along line 6I-6I in ~IG. 6A.
FIG. 6J i~ an ~nlarged visw of an apertur2 cover in aD ~pen po~ition taken from ellipse 6J in FIG~ 6I.
: 25 FIG a 6K i~ ~n enlarged view of a rib used to hold a handle of ~he dispos~le receptacle taken from circle 6 ~: in FIG. 6Io IG. 6L i~ a detailed enlargement of a living hinge o~ an aperture cov~r taken from circle 6L in FIG. 6I.
FIG. 7A i~ a top or plan view of one of a pair of chu~es used on the recsptacle of the present invent~on.
FIG. 7B is a first or front side view o~ the chute~
FIG. 7C is a second or back ~ide view of the ~hute.
FIG. 7D i~ a cross-sectional viaw of the chute taken along line 7D-7D o~ FI~. 7A.
FIG. 7E is an enlarged view of a stiffener rib of the chute taken from circle 7E in FIG. 7Do W093/~9039 P~T/US9~/09490 2122~4~ ` `
FIG. 7F is an enlarged view of a stiffener rib of the chute taken from circle 7F in FIG. 7D.
FIG~ 7G is an enlarged view of an attachment ledge of the chute taken from circle 7G in FIG. 7D.
5FIG~ 7H-1 is an end view ~nd FIG. 7H-2 is a side view of a sharp in the form of a hypodermic needle.
FIG. 7I i a cross-sectional view of a chute.
FIG. 7J is a cross-sectional view of a chute showing a path a hypodermic needle ~akes as it falls through the chute.
FIG. 8A is a top view of a bottom closure of the disposable receptacle of the pres~nt invention.
FIG. 8B is a side or elevational ~iew of the bottom closure.
15FIG. ~C is a cross-sectional view of the bottom : clo~ure taken along line 8C-8C in FIG. 8A.
PIG. ~D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion o~ the bottom clo~ure taken from circle 8D in FIG.
:20FIG. 8E is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tab :receiving slot part of an attachment mechanism of the bot~om closure taken from circle 8E in FIG. ~C.
~ : FIG. ~: is a cro~s-sectional view of the assembled :~ : sharpe~aollector illustrating:how syringes fall through a ~ 25 chute~and cannot readily come back out of a chute.
.:
Dè~c~leti ~ of the_Preferred Embodiment ~ urning now to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred m~odim~nt of the present invention in the form of a sha ~ collector lO having a reusable decorative cover 14.
A~ shown in Fig. 2B, the sharps colleotor 10 includes an inner disposable receptacle 12 which can be covered by the outer reusable cover 14, Thi~ sharps colle~tor 10, for .
: :receiving insulin syringes as noted earlier, is about the size of a facial tissue box.
$VBSTITIJTE SHEET
W093/09~3~ ~CT/US~/094~0 2 1 2 2 1 4 ~ !
Th2 receptacle 12 comprising a top section 52 and bottom closure 56, along with the cover 14 ~nd packages of syringes 11 (e.g., 100~ can be nest~d together and shipped and sold in a suitable box 17 as se~n in ~IG. 2A. ~h~se ar~ remo~d from the box 17 and tha coll~ctor 10 a#~e~bl~d. The collector 10 is assembled by snapping the bottom closure 56 and top section 52 together to form the receptacle 12. This is usually a~complished by laying the top section 52 upside down on a table and snapping the bot~o~ clo~ure 56 firmly on the section 52. Then, the cover 14 is snapp~d onto the disposable receptacle 12 as shown in FIG. 2B and locked together in a manner which wi}l be further explained later, . The sharps collector 10 is used by placing a syringe ~5 into a slot 36a whi~h is exposed on the top of the aollector 10 as shown in FIG. 1. ~ double shuttle 16 is then shiftad from ~ ~irst position as seen in ~IG. 1 to a second position which causes th~ syringe 15 to be push~d : to an aperture 40a (shown in FI~. 2B) in the top of the : 20 :dispo able receptaàle 12. The syringe then falls t ~ ough the aperture 40a,:down a chute which will be described in deta~l later, and finally rests within the receptacle 12.
:: ~ Th~ chute design i~ shown in FIGS. 7A-7Gg Shifting or liding the shuttle from the fir~t pcsition as seen in 2~5~ ~IG. 1 tg a second pQsition expose~ or opens a second like Qt at the other:~ide in the top of ~he colleator 10.
~ The double shu~tle 16 remains i~ its second position ;~ unt~l ano~h~r syringe i~ ready for disposal. ~t ~hat : ti~e, the ~yringe i8 placed in the no~ open se~ond slot 1~ ' I , .
~36b~ in the top of the collector 10. The double shuttle :~ 16 is then moved back:into its ~irst position whi~h causes the ~econd æyringe to be pushed to a se~on~ aperture 40b ~FIG. 2B) in the top of the disposable receptacle 12.
This econd syringe then falls t~rough the secQnd aperture 3S 40b, down a second chute, and ~inally rests within of ~he di~posable receptacle 12. This action also causes the W093/09~3~ PCT/U~9~10~49~
first slot 3Sa to be again exposed in the top of the collsctor to receive the next syringe.
The de~gn of ~he double shuttle ~6 permits the sharps collector lO to remain in a ready~ us- stake be~ause either slot 36a or ~lot 36b can always b~ exposed and ready to u~e. In addition, the design of the double shuttle 16 enco~rages the user to alternate between the two slots 36a and 36b for each use. By alternating between the slots 36a and 36b used, and therefore, the apertur~s 40a and 40b and associated chutes used, the syringes bec~me distributed in the disposable receptacle 12 more evenlyO
Once the disposable receptacle 12 is full~ it can bP
detached from the reusable cover 14 by pushing down on rel~ase tabs 32 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B). Then aperture ~: cover 68a and 6Sb (shown in FIG5. 2B ~n~ 6) may be snapped closed over the respective apertures 40a and 40b here~y making the receptacle 12 tamper resistant. The receptacle 12 ~ay then be discarded and the cover 14 may b~ r~u~ed to cover another receptacle 12~
Each of the~c~mponents of the collector will n~w be de~cribed in d~tail tarting with the decorative co~er and its a~sociated dou~le shuttle and it5 guides, and cov~r ralea~e ~echani~m.
25FIGS. 3A-3C how the reusable cover 14 in detail. As h~wn in FIGS. 3A-3C, the reusable cover.l4 includes two ænd wall~ 20a and 2Qb, two side walls 22a and 22b, and a :
top wall 24. ~he: end walls 20a and 20b, and ~he ~ide walls 22a ~nd 22b all taper inwardly toward the top wall ! 30 24 (no~ FIGS. 3B and 3C) so cover~ can be stacked and ne~ted for ~ase of shipment and storageO
As shown in FIG. 3A, the top wall 24 includes an aperture 26 for the movement of the double shuttle 16, the dimensions of which are important and which will be described in detail later. The insid~ of top wall 24 also includes eight d~pending posts 2B for the permanent attachment of guide~ (which will be described in detail W093/0903s PCT/U~92/09490 ~1~2'14 1 later), and two slots 30 for r~lease tabs 32 (which will be dQscribed in detail later~ which are used to enable the cover 1~ to be readily detached from the disposable rsc~ptacl~ 1~. The double shuttle design is shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. The guide design, including the release tabs, is #hown in FIGS. 5A-5H.
As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4F, the double shuttle 16 includes a centrally disposed handle 3~ to faeilitate : moving it back and forth in the apertur~ 26 in the cover 14. ~he double ~huttle also includes two slots 36a and 36b (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4F~ for receiving used yringes, and inner walls 38a and 38b (shown in FIGS. 4A, 4D, a~d ~F) which define the ~lots 36a and 36b and serve to pu~h the uged syringes to the respective apertures 4Oa and 4Ob (sh~wn in ~IG5. ~B a~d 6A) of the disposable :~ rec~ptacl~ 12~ As shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, the double uttle 16 al80 includes two elong~ted ~langes 4~ Th~
lang~ 42 enable the double shuttle 16 to be held onto the~eu~able cover 14 via the guides (described in detail 20 ~b~low) while till:allowing the shut le 16 to move along the guides.via the ~langes 42.
FIGS~ 5A-5H show one sf a pair of guides 18. Two uid-s ~8 are:~use~, one to engage each side of the double shuttle 16 and to attach the double ghuttle 16 to the :25~ reu~able cover 14. ~he guides 18 engage the fl~nges 42 of the double shuttle~l6 to allow the ~huttle 16 to move bark nd ~orth with:re~pect to ~he aperture 26 in the ~o~ wall 24 o~ th~ receptacle 14. The gui~es 18 are pxeferab~y m~de from injecti~n molded Qelrin p~astic.
~: 30~ As ~hown in FIGS. 5A-5C, each guide 18 includes a ; r~lQase tab 32 which fits into slots 30 (shown in FIGS. 3A
:~ and 3B) on the reu~able cover 14. The tabs 32 are used to enable the co~er 14 to be detached from the di~posable recep~acle 12. A~ shown in FIG5~ 5A and 5D~ each suide 1~
~l~o includes holes 44 which fit onto the posts 28 (shown in FIG. 3A) for permanently attaching the guides 18 to : ~he reusable co~er 14. Additionally, as ~hown in FIGS.
W093/09039 PCT/US92/~9490 2122~44 " "
5A, SB, and 5D-5F, each guide 18 has a ledge 46 whic~ fits oYer a corresponding flange 42 (shown in FIGS. 4A-4E) on ~he double ~hu tle 16. ~edge ~6 and flange 42 fit in such a way that the double shuttl~ 1~ is permanently attached to the ~over 14, yet the flange~ 42 of the double s~uttle 16 are allowed to freely slide along the ledges 46 of the guides 18, limited in the mount ~y the walls 38~ and 3Bb of th~ upstandi~g handle 34 engaging the edgec 26a and 26b of the aperture 26 in the top 24 of the section 14. See FIG. 3A.
As noted earlier the dimensions of th~ aperture or opening 26 in ~he top 24 of the top section 14 of the di~posable receptacle 1~, along with certain dimensions of the double shuttle 16, are important in the design of the pre~ent sharps collector 10. The length "Li' (not~ Fig.
4D) ~of slots 36a and 36b of the double shuttle 16 is determined by the largest syringe size to be used. The wid h W2 and W3 ~note Fig.-4A) of the~e slots 36a and 36b ` i8: the same and is a function on the width of the largest 20 ~yringe. Thus, the length L and width W2, W3 are a ~, ~
unc~ion of the "footprint" of the l~rgest syringe to be d@posited in the~collector. ~he amount of travel of the huttle 16 back and forth within the slot 26, as will be apparent, i8 a function of the wid*h Wl of ~lot 26 (FI~
25~: 3A). ~h~ widths W2 and W3 of the r~spective 510ts 36a and 36b, alon~ with the amount of travQl of the ~huttIe determin~ ~he spacingæ of the apertures 40a, 40b and as~ociated chutes 54 ( shown belc~w~ . The width W4 of the handl~ 34 i approximately the same as W2, ~3.
! 30 The drawlngs in the present application are ub~tantially to scale. In an ex~plary embodiment for : u8e with insulin ~yringes of 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 ml., the Poregoing dimenæions are, the length L of lots 36 equals A.8 inches, the width W1 of the ~lot 26 equals 1.8 inches, the width W2, W3 sf the slots 38a, 38b of the double huttle 16 are each 0.83 inch the width W4 of the handle 34 i5 0.95 inch. The depth of the slot~ 36a and 36b is wO~3/Og~39 PCT/US9~/09490 2122~
whatever depth is required to allow the syrings 15 to lie within the slot and slide under the co~er ~4 to an ap~rture 40, and in an exemplary ~mbodiment is 0.40 inch.
I~ the slot8 36a and 36b are too wide~ then the edge of ~n S aperture 40 and chute 54 will be exposed ~hrough opening 26~ and if the ~lot~ 36a, 36b are too narrow, the syringe will tend to bind ~ithin th~ slot 36.
A~ shown in FIGS. ~8, 5C, and 5E-5H, ea~h guide 18 alsQ includes dow~ward extending hooks 48 which form part of the locking and release arrangement between the cover and receptacle. The hooks 48 fit into attachment slots 5Q
(describ~d later) of the disposable receptacle 12 and hold and essentially lock the cover 14 onto the receptacle 12.
~he hooks 48 ean be disengaged from the attachment slots 50 by pre sing down on the release tabs 32. Thus, the o~er 14 can ~e xeleased from the receptacle 12 by pr~sing down on the tabs 3~ which cause the lower ends of the tabs 32 to push down on the top surface of the receptac~e 12 and, therefore, cause the hooks 4B to pull 20 ~a~ay and release ~r~m ~he attachment slots 50. The attachment slots 50 of the raceptacle 12 are shown in IG. 6A.
: . FIGS. 6A-6~, 7A-7G, and 8A-8E show the components of th~ dispo~able receptacle 12. As discussed ~arlier~ the r~ceptacle 12 i~ the container which holds the ~yringes ~o be discarded and i disposed of along with any syringes it oon~ain~. The recep~acle 12 i5 preferably made from injection ~olded polypropylene. The receptacle 12 includas a top ection 52 (chown in FIGS. 6A-6L), a pair o~ like ~hutes 54 ~one of which is shown in FIGS. 7A-7G), and a bottom closure 56 (shown in FIGS. 8A-8E). The receptaGle 12 i~ assembled by napping the chutes into the top section and the top section onto the bott~m closure.
FIGS. 6A-6L sh~w a top section 52 of the disposable r~ceptacle 12. As ~hown in FIGS. 6A-6E the top æection 52 of the receptacle 12 includes two end walls S8, a front wall 60, a bacX wall 62, and a top wall 64. The end walls W093/09~39 PCT/~S92/09490 2122~4~
58, the front wall 60, and the back wall 62 all taper inwardly toward the top wall 6~ to enable the reaeptacle 12 to be ~tacked and nested with like receptacles 12 compactly for aas~ of shipm2nt and storageO
The top wall 64 o~ the top section 52 as seen i~ FIG.
6A include~ two apertures 40a and 40b for recei~ing ~yringes into ~he di~pvsable receptacle ~2~ Two apertur~
~overs 68a and ~8b are used to seal o~f the apertures 40a and 40b when the disposable receptacle is fil~ed and ready for dispo~al, and ~wo finger ind~nts 70a and 70b are pro~ided to p~rmit the aperture covers 6~a and 68b to be easily flipped ~rom their open position to their closed and locked position. ~inger indent 70a also permits the handle 6~ to be flipped open. As shown in FIGS. 6E, 6I, 6J, and 6L, each aperture cover 68 is attachPd to the : : d~sposabl~ receptacle 12 by a living hinge 72. The living hi~ges 72 ~ake it possible to easily pi~ot the aperture c~s 6~8a and ~8b f~om th ir open positions. The co~ers 69~and 68b are normally held in their op~n positions as :20 ~æeen~n FIG. 2B because of the relationship of the covers 68, angled walls 71 (note FIGS. 6I and 6J) a~d rid~es 73.
When~ t~e aperture cover 68a is rotated ~ully cou~terclockwi~e a seen in FIG. 6I and 6J it i5 held in U~ fully open position substantially again~t the wall 71a , .
35 :~b~ the outer end of the cover 68a engaging the inner sur~a~e of the ridge 73a. Al~o see FIG. 9.
: ~ The top w~ll 64 of the top ~ection 52 ~l~o includes our ~ttachment lots 50 (~IGS. 6A and 6H~ u~d to affix the reu~able cover 14 to the dispo~able r ceptacle 12.
: 30 ~he~e att~chment ~lots 50 receive the hooks 48 (shown in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and SE-SH) of the ~uid~s 18 which fastsn ~he co~er 14 to the receptacle 12.
~: ~s ~hown in FI~S. 6A, 6E, and 6F, a pull-out handle 6~ ~ay be attached to the front wall 60 which ~ay be used to carry the receptacle 12 when the reusable cover 14 i5 : removed. Lower ends 66a and 66b of the handle 66 are ~ attached to the wall 60 and have living hinges 94 to allow WO 93J0903g PCr/US92/09490 2122~
the h tndle tt) pivot ou~wardly from the wall 60 as best seen in E~IGS. 6A and ~E. As ~hown in FI~S. 6B, 6E, 6I and ~;K, the front wall 60 includes a pair of retainer ribs 92r Th~ ribs 92 are provid~d to hold the pull out handle 66 against the front wall 60.
The underside of the top wall 6~ of the top section 52 includes several ridges 74 as shown in ~I~S. 6B 6F, and ~H-6J which ~r~ate dam~ and help prevent liquid substanees fr~m leaking out of the receptacle 12 should the sharps lo collector 10 fall over or be ~urned over. The ridges 74 al~o include hooks 76 around the apertures ~o to attach : the ~wo chutes ~one of which is shown in FI~S. 7A 7G~ to : the d~sposable recep~acle 12 under the apertures 40.
As shown in FIGS. 6B-6E, and 6&, the bottom edge of t~e top ~ection 52 includes four ~ff~at tabs 78, two ~t~nding fr~m each wall 60 and 62, which allow the top section 52 to be snapped onto the bottom closure which : will be d~scribed in detail below. The offset spa~ing of : the tabs 78 is provided to prevent inadvertent as~embly : : 20 upside down of the top ~ection 52 and the bottom closure.
: ~ bottom closure is shown in FIGS. ~A-8E and discussed in ~ore detail later.
FIGS. 7A-7G ~;how details of each of the pair of hu~es 54. One ahute 54 is disposed in each ~f the 25~ ap~rtures 40a an~ 40~ in the ~op of the diæposable ~: ~ rec:eptacle 12. Each chute 54 is positioned to rec:eive syringe~ and allow them to fall into the re ::eptac:le 12 0 ~he chu~es 54 are preferably made from injecti~n molded tyrene and are designed to obstruct syringes which are 30 contained in the receptacle 12 friom protruding or re-emerging from the receptacle 12. See alss~ FIG. 9.
Each chute 54 as hown in FIG. 7~ includes a top - outer f lange 108 whi ::h frames an 2pening 114, and has inner edges ~20~ and 120b and outer edges 122a and 122b.
35 As best s~en in FIG. 7D, the opening 114 i~ defined 3~y a depending 2Ircuate wall 80 and a flat angled wall 82 which extend downward from the inner edges 120a and 120b W0 93/09039 P~/USg2/0949~
2122~44 ` `:
resp~ctiYely. The walls 80 and 82 have inner surfaces 110 and 112, respectiv~ly, which further define the op~ning 114 throuslh which a deposited syringe mu~;t ~all to enter the disposable receptacle 12.
The design of the chute opening (which in~::ludes parts of the .'~inner box'~ and the "chute~) for a particular yringe with dimensions and shape similar to FIG. 7EI i~
dictat~d by the f ollowing rulas .
1~ The width of the line-of-sight gap (FIG. 7I3 to be less than 1/2 of the syringe body diameter (i . e., 50Ds max. ~ .
2. The depth of th line-of-sight gap (FIG. 7I) from wh~re the syringe body hits the chute to the outsid~
sur~ace to be greater the needle length ( i . e ., Ln min . ) .
The chute de~ign allows dif~erent sizes of syringes, with or without attached needles, to relia~ly fall into the receptacle in an organized and reasonable mann~r~ The design shown and describ~d herein is ~or 0~3, 0.5 and ~.0 1~ ' ~1. insul in . yringes. The cover has a shuttle for directing ~yringes to the apertures and chutes~ The chute : and fihuttle designs cause the syrlnges to align with he longitudinal axi~ o~ the chute ~nd to fall ev~nly into the r ceptacl~. Thus, the syringes can fall into the receptacle in a manner which ensures effici~nt use of space. This "stacking" scheme enables the syringes to be inserted in a horizontal orientation and fall horizontally W0~3/09039 PCT/U~9~9490 " 2122~4~
~"horizontal dxop~) into the receptacle and ensures that the reeeptacle will hold a raasonable numb~r of syringes while enabling a relatively low profile container to be provided. In addition, the chute de~ign preventæ any syringes from protruding out of the receptacle and from being ea~ily reached or removed~
The reusable cover is provided to fit over the di~po~able receptacle~ H~wevert the disposable receptacle can be used with or without the cover. Th~ cover also has the ~huttle, tarmed a double shu~tle, ~hich serves to push the used syringes toward a particular aperture and chute, and cau e each syringe to descend into the receptacle~
The cover and shuttle allow the syringe~ to be alternately discarded int~ the rec~ptacle through one, and then the otherO of the chutes. Using the chutes alternately helps en ure an ~ven distribution and nesting vf the syring~s :~ within the rec~ptacle And, thus, the efficient use of spaca within the receptacle~ Although two apertures and chut~s are u~ed in the present preferred embodiment to : 20 help distri~ute the syringes and hold down the container siz~ and center of ~ravity thro~gh the uæa of "horizontal : ` drop,~ a single aperture and chut~ can be used.
~The cover pref~ra~ly is desi ~ ed ~uch that it can be ; snapped onto, and lock~d with, the underlying receptacle 2S ~ut be guickly and ~imply unlocked for reu~e when the dispo~able receptacle i~ discarded~ This locking arrangement render~. ~he collector child r@sistant and t~mper resistant~ The cover a~d æhuttle design provides the furthex b~nefit of completely concealing from view the !
aperture and chute features of the di~posable receptacle.
The chute design, along with the cover and ~huttle : d~igns, rend~r beyond reach the ~yringes which ar~
enclo ed in the receptacle.
~EiÇf Description_of the Drawin~s FIG. 1 is a per~pectiv~ view of a compl~te sharps collector of the present invention as it is used.
W093/~9039 PCr/~S9~/09~9~
2122~4 `
FIG. 2A is a peEspective view of the disposable r~ceptacle o~ ~IG. 2B as pacXaged syringes are removed therefrom in preparation for use.
FIG~ 2B is a perspective view of a dispo~able r~eeptacle of FIG. 1 as a decorative cover of FI~. i is b~ing attached.
FIG. 3A is a ~ottom view of a decoratiYe cover of the coll~ctor.
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the co~er taken : 10 along line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along line 3C-3C in FI~. 3A.
FIG~ 4A is a top view of a double shuttle for use with the cover of the present invention.
lS FIG. 4B i~ a side view of the double ~huttle.
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the double shuttl~ taken along line 4C 4C in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional vizw of the double shut~le taken al~ng line ~D-4D in FIG. 4A.
~IG. 4E i~ ~ cross-sectional view ~f the double huttle taken ~long line 4E-4E in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4F is a cross-sactional view of the double ; ~hut~le ~a~en along line 4F-4F in FI&. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a top view of on~ of a pair of guides for the double sh~ttle o~ ~he pre~ent invention.
FIG. 5B is a front view of the yuideO
: FIG. 5C ig a side vi~w of tha ~uide.
FIG. 5D is a ~rag~entary view oP the botto~ side of the guide.
I FIG. 5E i~ a cross-sectional view of the guide taken along line 5~-5E in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional Yiew of the ~uide taken along line 5F-SF in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5G i~ a oross-.~ctional Yiew of the ~uid~ taken along line SG-S~ in FIG. 5A.
FIG. SX is a detail~d enlargement of an atta¢hment hook o~ the guide taken from circle 5H in FIG~ 5~.
W~3/0~039 PCT/~2/~949D
. . ~
- 2:1~2~4~
FIG. 6A is a top vi~w of a top s~ction of a dispo~able receptacle o~ ~he present invention.
FIG. 6B i~ a front view o~ the top section.
FIG. 6C is a cross sectional view of the top section taken along line 6C-6C in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6D is a cross-s~tional view of the top s~ction taken along line 6D-6D in FIG. 6A~
FIG~ ~E i~ a rross~-secti~nal view of the top section with aperture cover~ in an open position taken along line 6E 6E in FIG. 6A~
~ IG. 6F is an enlarged partial bot~om view of the top section.
FIG. 6G is a ~etailed enlargement o~ a tab part of an atta~hm~nt ~echanism of the disposable receptacle taken ~rom circle 6G in F~G. 6E.
FIG. 6H is an enlarged cross se~tional Vi8W of an attachment slot o~ the disposable receptacle taken along line 6H-6H in FIG. 6A.
: FIG. 6I is an enlarqed cross-s~ctional view of an :~ 20 ~perture and aperture cover of ~he dispo~able receptacle with ~ e ap~rture c~Yer in an open posit ion taken along line 6I-6I in ~IG. 6A.
FIG. 6J i~ an ~nlarged visw of an apertur2 cover in aD ~pen po~ition taken from ellipse 6J in FIG~ 6I.
: 25 FIG a 6K i~ ~n enlarged view of a rib used to hold a handle of ~he dispos~le receptacle taken from circle 6 ~: in FIG. 6Io IG. 6L i~ a detailed enlargement of a living hinge o~ an aperture cov~r taken from circle 6L in FIG. 6I.
FIG. 7A i~ a top or plan view of one of a pair of chu~es used on the recsptacle of the present invent~on.
FIG. 7B is a first or front side view o~ the chute~
FIG. 7C is a second or back ~ide view of the ~hute.
FIG. 7D i~ a cross-sectional viaw of the chute taken along line 7D-7D o~ FI~. 7A.
FIG. 7E is an enlarged view of a stiffener rib of the chute taken from circle 7E in FIG. 7Do W093/~9039 P~T/US9~/09490 2122~4~ ` `
FIG. 7F is an enlarged view of a stiffener rib of the chute taken from circle 7F in FIG. 7D.
FIG~ 7G is an enlarged view of an attachment ledge of the chute taken from circle 7G in FIG. 7D.
5FIG~ 7H-1 is an end view ~nd FIG. 7H-2 is a side view of a sharp in the form of a hypodermic needle.
FIG. 7I i a cross-sectional view of a chute.
FIG. 7J is a cross-sectional view of a chute showing a path a hypodermic needle ~akes as it falls through the chute.
FIG. 8A is a top view of a bottom closure of the disposable receptacle of the pres~nt invention.
FIG. 8B is a side or elevational ~iew of the bottom closure.
15FIG. ~C is a cross-sectional view of the bottom : clo~ure taken along line 8C-8C in FIG. 8A.
PIG. ~D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion o~ the bottom clo~ure taken from circle 8D in FIG.
:20FIG. 8E is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tab :receiving slot part of an attachment mechanism of the bot~om closure taken from circle 8E in FIG. ~C.
~ : FIG. ~: is a cro~s-sectional view of the assembled :~ : sharpe~aollector illustrating:how syringes fall through a ~ 25 chute~and cannot readily come back out of a chute.
.:
Dè~c~leti ~ of the_Preferred Embodiment ~ urning now to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred m~odim~nt of the present invention in the form of a sha ~ collector lO having a reusable decorative cover 14.
A~ shown in Fig. 2B, the sharps colleotor 10 includes an inner disposable receptacle 12 which can be covered by the outer reusable cover 14, Thi~ sharps colle~tor 10, for .
: :receiving insulin syringes as noted earlier, is about the size of a facial tissue box.
$VBSTITIJTE SHEET
W093/09~3~ ~CT/US~/094~0 2 1 2 2 1 4 ~ !
Th2 receptacle 12 comprising a top section 52 and bottom closure 56, along with the cover 14 ~nd packages of syringes 11 (e.g., 100~ can be nest~d together and shipped and sold in a suitable box 17 as se~n in ~IG. 2A. ~h~se ar~ remo~d from the box 17 and tha coll~ctor 10 a#~e~bl~d. The collector 10 is assembled by snapping the bottom closure 56 and top section 52 together to form the receptacle 12. This is usually a~complished by laying the top section 52 upside down on a table and snapping the bot~o~ clo~ure 56 firmly on the section 52. Then, the cover 14 is snapp~d onto the disposable receptacle 12 as shown in FIG. 2B and locked together in a manner which wi}l be further explained later, . The sharps collector 10 is used by placing a syringe ~5 into a slot 36a whi~h is exposed on the top of the aollector 10 as shown in FIG. 1. ~ double shuttle 16 is then shiftad from ~ ~irst position as seen in ~IG. 1 to a second position which causes th~ syringe 15 to be push~d : to an aperture 40a (shown in FI~. 2B) in the top of the : 20 :dispo able receptaàle 12. The syringe then falls t ~ ough the aperture 40a,:down a chute which will be described in deta~l later, and finally rests within the receptacle 12.
:: ~ Th~ chute design i~ shown in FIGS. 7A-7Gg Shifting or liding the shuttle from the fir~t pcsition as seen in 2~5~ ~IG. 1 tg a second pQsition expose~ or opens a second like Qt at the other:~ide in the top of ~he colleator 10.
~ The double shu~tle 16 remains i~ its second position ;~ unt~l ano~h~r syringe i~ ready for disposal. ~t ~hat : ti~e, the ~yringe i8 placed in the no~ open se~ond slot 1~ ' I , .
~36b~ in the top of the collector 10. The double shuttle :~ 16 is then moved back:into its ~irst position whi~h causes the ~econd æyringe to be pushed to a se~on~ aperture 40b ~FIG. 2B) in the top of the disposable receptacle 12.
This econd syringe then falls t~rough the secQnd aperture 3S 40b, down a second chute, and ~inally rests within of ~he di~posable receptacle 12. This action also causes the W093/09~3~ PCT/U~9~10~49~
first slot 3Sa to be again exposed in the top of the collsctor to receive the next syringe.
The de~gn of ~he double shuttle ~6 permits the sharps collector lO to remain in a ready~ us- stake be~ause either slot 36a or ~lot 36b can always b~ exposed and ready to u~e. In addition, the design of the double shuttle 16 enco~rages the user to alternate between the two slots 36a and 36b for each use. By alternating between the slots 36a and 36b used, and therefore, the apertur~s 40a and 40b and associated chutes used, the syringes bec~me distributed in the disposable receptacle 12 more evenlyO
Once the disposable receptacle 12 is full~ it can bP
detached from the reusable cover 14 by pushing down on rel~ase tabs 32 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B). Then aperture ~: cover 68a and 6Sb (shown in FIG5. 2B ~n~ 6) may be snapped closed over the respective apertures 40a and 40b here~y making the receptacle 12 tamper resistant. The receptacle 12 ~ay then be discarded and the cover 14 may b~ r~u~ed to cover another receptacle 12~
Each of the~c~mponents of the collector will n~w be de~cribed in d~tail tarting with the decorative co~er and its a~sociated dou~le shuttle and it5 guides, and cov~r ralea~e ~echani~m.
25FIGS. 3A-3C how the reusable cover 14 in detail. As h~wn in FIGS. 3A-3C, the reusable cover.l4 includes two ænd wall~ 20a and 2Qb, two side walls 22a and 22b, and a :
top wall 24. ~he: end walls 20a and 20b, and ~he ~ide walls 22a ~nd 22b all taper inwardly toward the top wall ! 30 24 (no~ FIGS. 3B and 3C) so cover~ can be stacked and ne~ted for ~ase of shipment and storageO
As shown in FIG. 3A, the top wall 24 includes an aperture 26 for the movement of the double shuttle 16, the dimensions of which are important and which will be described in detail later. The insid~ of top wall 24 also includes eight d~pending posts 2B for the permanent attachment of guide~ (which will be described in detail W093/0903s PCT/U~92/09490 ~1~2'14 1 later), and two slots 30 for r~lease tabs 32 (which will be dQscribed in detail later~ which are used to enable the cover 1~ to be readily detached from the disposable rsc~ptacl~ 1~. The double shuttle design is shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. The guide design, including the release tabs, is #hown in FIGS. 5A-5H.
As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4F, the double shuttle 16 includes a centrally disposed handle 3~ to faeilitate : moving it back and forth in the apertur~ 26 in the cover 14. ~he double ~huttle also includes two slots 36a and 36b (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4F~ for receiving used yringes, and inner walls 38a and 38b (shown in FIGS. 4A, 4D, a~d ~F) which define the ~lots 36a and 36b and serve to pu~h the uged syringes to the respective apertures 4Oa and 4Ob (sh~wn in ~IG5. ~B a~d 6A) of the disposable :~ rec~ptacl~ 12~ As shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, the double uttle 16 al80 includes two elong~ted ~langes 4~ Th~
lang~ 42 enable the double shuttle 16 to be held onto the~eu~able cover 14 via the guides (described in detail 20 ~b~low) while till:allowing the shut le 16 to move along the guides.via the ~langes 42.
FIGS~ 5A-5H show one sf a pair of guides 18. Two uid-s ~8 are:~use~, one to engage each side of the double shuttle 16 and to attach the double ghuttle 16 to the :25~ reu~able cover 14. ~he guides 18 engage the fl~nges 42 of the double shuttle~l6 to allow the ~huttle 16 to move bark nd ~orth with:re~pect to ~he aperture 26 in the ~o~ wall 24 o~ th~ receptacle 14. The gui~es 18 are pxeferab~y m~de from injecti~n molded Qelrin p~astic.
~: 30~ As ~hown in FIGS. 5A-5C, each guide 18 includes a ; r~lQase tab 32 which fits into slots 30 (shown in FIGS. 3A
:~ and 3B) on the reu~able cover 14. The tabs 32 are used to enable the co~er 14 to be detached from the di~posable recep~acle 12. A~ shown in FIG5~ 5A and 5D~ each suide 1~
~l~o includes holes 44 which fit onto the posts 28 (shown in FIG. 3A) for permanently attaching the guides 18 to : ~he reusable co~er 14. Additionally, as ~hown in FIGS.
W093/09039 PCT/US92/~9490 2122~44 " "
5A, SB, and 5D-5F, each guide 18 has a ledge 46 whic~ fits oYer a corresponding flange 42 (shown in FIGS. 4A-4E) on ~he double ~hu tle 16. ~edge ~6 and flange 42 fit in such a way that the double shuttl~ 1~ is permanently attached to the ~over 14, yet the flange~ 42 of the double s~uttle 16 are allowed to freely slide along the ledges 46 of the guides 18, limited in the mount ~y the walls 38~ and 3Bb of th~ upstandi~g handle 34 engaging the edgec 26a and 26b of the aperture 26 in the top 24 of the section 14. See FIG. 3A.
As noted earlier the dimensions of th~ aperture or opening 26 in ~he top 24 of the top section 14 of the di~posable receptacle 1~, along with certain dimensions of the double shuttle 16, are important in the design of the pre~ent sharps collector 10. The length "Li' (not~ Fig.
4D) ~of slots 36a and 36b of the double shuttle 16 is determined by the largest syringe size to be used. The wid h W2 and W3 ~note Fig.-4A) of the~e slots 36a and 36b ` i8: the same and is a function on the width of the largest 20 ~yringe. Thus, the length L and width W2, W3 are a ~, ~
unc~ion of the "footprint" of the l~rgest syringe to be d@posited in the~collector. ~he amount of travel of the huttle 16 back and forth within the slot 26, as will be apparent, i8 a function of the wid*h Wl of ~lot 26 (FI~
25~: 3A). ~h~ widths W2 and W3 of the r~spective 510ts 36a and 36b, alon~ with the amount of travQl of the ~huttIe determin~ ~he spacingæ of the apertures 40a, 40b and as~ociated chutes 54 ( shown belc~w~ . The width W4 of the handl~ 34 i approximately the same as W2, ~3.
! 30 The drawlngs in the present application are ub~tantially to scale. In an ex~plary embodiment for : u8e with insulin ~yringes of 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 ml., the Poregoing dimenæions are, the length L of lots 36 equals A.8 inches, the width W1 of the ~lot 26 equals 1.8 inches, the width W2, W3 sf the slots 38a, 38b of the double huttle 16 are each 0.83 inch the width W4 of the handle 34 i5 0.95 inch. The depth of the slot~ 36a and 36b is wO~3/Og~39 PCT/US9~/09490 2122~
whatever depth is required to allow the syrings 15 to lie within the slot and slide under the co~er ~4 to an ap~rture 40, and in an exemplary ~mbodiment is 0.40 inch.
I~ the slot8 36a and 36b are too wide~ then the edge of ~n S aperture 40 and chute 54 will be exposed ~hrough opening 26~ and if the ~lot~ 36a, 36b are too narrow, the syringe will tend to bind ~ithin th~ slot 36.
A~ shown in FIGS. ~8, 5C, and 5E-5H, ea~h guide 18 alsQ includes dow~ward extending hooks 48 which form part of the locking and release arrangement between the cover and receptacle. The hooks 48 fit into attachment slots 5Q
(describ~d later) of the disposable receptacle 12 and hold and essentially lock the cover 14 onto the receptacle 12.
~he hooks 48 ean be disengaged from the attachment slots 50 by pre sing down on the release tabs 32. Thus, the o~er 14 can ~e xeleased from the receptacle 12 by pr~sing down on the tabs 3~ which cause the lower ends of the tabs 32 to push down on the top surface of the receptac~e 12 and, therefore, cause the hooks 4B to pull 20 ~a~ay and release ~r~m ~he attachment slots 50. The attachment slots 50 of the raceptacle 12 are shown in IG. 6A.
: . FIGS. 6A-6~, 7A-7G, and 8A-8E show the components of th~ dispo~able receptacle 12. As discussed ~arlier~ the r~ceptacle 12 i~ the container which holds the ~yringes ~o be discarded and i disposed of along with any syringes it oon~ain~. The recep~acle 12 i5 preferably made from injection ~olded polypropylene. The receptacle 12 includas a top ection 52 (chown in FIGS. 6A-6L), a pair o~ like ~hutes 54 ~one of which is shown in FIGS. 7A-7G), and a bottom closure 56 (shown in FIGS. 8A-8E). The receptaGle 12 i~ assembled by napping the chutes into the top section and the top section onto the bott~m closure.
FIGS. 6A-6L sh~w a top section 52 of the disposable r~ceptacle 12. As ~hown in FIGS. 6A-6E the top æection 52 of the receptacle 12 includes two end walls S8, a front wall 60, a bacX wall 62, and a top wall 64. The end walls W093/09~39 PCT/~S92/09490 2122~4~
58, the front wall 60, and the back wall 62 all taper inwardly toward the top wall 6~ to enable the reaeptacle 12 to be ~tacked and nested with like receptacles 12 compactly for aas~ of shipm2nt and storageO
The top wall 64 o~ the top section 52 as seen i~ FIG.
6A include~ two apertures 40a and 40b for recei~ing ~yringes into ~he di~pvsable receptacle ~2~ Two apertur~
~overs 68a and ~8b are used to seal o~f the apertures 40a and 40b when the disposable receptacle is fil~ed and ready for dispo~al, and ~wo finger ind~nts 70a and 70b are pro~ided to p~rmit the aperture covers 6~a and 68b to be easily flipped ~rom their open position to their closed and locked position. ~inger indent 70a also permits the handle 6~ to be flipped open. As shown in FIGS. 6E, 6I, 6J, and 6L, each aperture cover 68 is attachPd to the : : d~sposabl~ receptacle 12 by a living hinge 72. The living hi~ges 72 ~ake it possible to easily pi~ot the aperture c~s 6~8a and ~8b f~om th ir open positions. The co~ers 69~and 68b are normally held in their op~n positions as :20 ~æeen~n FIG. 2B because of the relationship of the covers 68, angled walls 71 (note FIGS. 6I and 6J) a~d rid~es 73.
When~ t~e aperture cover 68a is rotated ~ully cou~terclockwi~e a seen in FIG. 6I and 6J it i5 held in U~ fully open position substantially again~t the wall 71a , .
35 :~b~ the outer end of the cover 68a engaging the inner sur~a~e of the ridge 73a. Al~o see FIG. 9.
: ~ The top w~ll 64 of the top ~ection 52 ~l~o includes our ~ttachment lots 50 (~IGS. 6A and 6H~ u~d to affix the reu~able cover 14 to the dispo~able r ceptacle 12.
: 30 ~he~e att~chment ~lots 50 receive the hooks 48 (shown in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and SE-SH) of the ~uid~s 18 which fastsn ~he co~er 14 to the receptacle 12.
~: ~s ~hown in FI~S. 6A, 6E, and 6F, a pull-out handle 6~ ~ay be attached to the front wall 60 which ~ay be used to carry the receptacle 12 when the reusable cover 14 i5 : removed. Lower ends 66a and 66b of the handle 66 are ~ attached to the wall 60 and have living hinges 94 to allow WO 93J0903g PCr/US92/09490 2122~
the h tndle tt) pivot ou~wardly from the wall 60 as best seen in E~IGS. 6A and ~E. As ~hown in FI~S. 6B, 6E, 6I and ~;K, the front wall 60 includes a pair of retainer ribs 92r Th~ ribs 92 are provid~d to hold the pull out handle 66 against the front wall 60.
The underside of the top wall 6~ of the top section 52 includes several ridges 74 as shown in ~I~S. 6B 6F, and ~H-6J which ~r~ate dam~ and help prevent liquid substanees fr~m leaking out of the receptacle 12 should the sharps lo collector 10 fall over or be ~urned over. The ridges 74 al~o include hooks 76 around the apertures ~o to attach : the ~wo chutes ~one of which is shown in FI~S. 7A 7G~ to : the d~sposable recep~acle 12 under the apertures 40.
As shown in FIGS. 6B-6E, and 6&, the bottom edge of t~e top ~ection 52 includes four ~ff~at tabs 78, two ~t~nding fr~m each wall 60 and 62, which allow the top section 52 to be snapped onto the bottom closure which : will be d~scribed in detail below. The offset spa~ing of : the tabs 78 is provided to prevent inadvertent as~embly : : 20 upside down of the top ~ection 52 and the bottom closure.
: ~ bottom closure is shown in FIGS. ~A-8E and discussed in ~ore detail later.
FIGS. 7A-7G ~;how details of each of the pair of hu~es 54. One ahute 54 is disposed in each ~f the 25~ ap~rtures 40a an~ 40~ in the ~op of the diæposable ~: ~ rec:eptacle 12. Each chute 54 is positioned to rec:eive syringe~ and allow them to fall into the re ::eptac:le 12 0 ~he chu~es 54 are preferably made from injecti~n molded tyrene and are designed to obstruct syringes which are 30 contained in the receptacle 12 friom protruding or re-emerging from the receptacle 12. See alss~ FIG. 9.
Each chute 54 as hown in FIG. 7~ includes a top - outer f lange 108 whi ::h frames an 2pening 114, and has inner edges ~20~ and 120b and outer edges 122a and 122b.
35 As best s~en in FIG. 7D, the opening 114 i~ defined 3~y a depending 2Ircuate wall 80 and a flat angled wall 82 which extend downward from the inner edges 120a and 120b W0 93/09039 P~/USg2/0949~
2122~44 ` `:
resp~ctiYely. The walls 80 and 82 have inner surfaces 110 and 112, respectiv~ly, which further define the op~ning 114 throuslh which a deposited syringe mu~;t ~all to enter the disposable receptacle 12.
The design of the chute opening (which in~::ludes parts of the .'~inner box'~ and the "chute~) for a particular yringe with dimensions and shape similar to FIG. 7EI i~
dictat~d by the f ollowing rulas .
1~ The width of the line-of-sight gap (FIG. 7I3 to be less than 1/2 of the syringe body diameter (i . e., 50Ds max. ~ .
2. The depth of th line-of-sight gap (FIG. 7I) from wh~re the syringe body hits the chute to the outsid~
sur~ace to be greater the needle length ( i . e ., Ln min . ) .
3. The ~inimum width of the chute (FIG. 7I) at all ~: : points to be greater than 1. 1 times the maximum width of the ~yringe ( i . e ., 1 . lX min . ) .
4. No ~urface ~FIG. 7I) to be less than 20 degrees fr~ the horizontal.
5. The ~inimum envelope of the chute (FIG. 7J) to be a loc:u~ of poin~s that allow the maxi~um syringe prof ile ts~ s through without violating rules 1 - 4.
` ~: 6. Additiesnal space may be allc~wed for ~arlufat:~uring , asse~ly , etc ., that do not violate rul~s -~ ~ 25 1 5.
he d~pending arcuate wall 80 as hown in FIG. 7D
~; ext~nds p~arpendic:ular to and downward ~r~m the ~lange 108 at th~ inner edge 120~ and then arcs inwardly toward the f lat ~ngled wall 82 . The f lat angled wall 82 ~xtends ~'owrlward ~rom th~i ~lange 108 at the inner edge 120b and angle~ inward towards the arcuate wall 8~. T~e walls 80 and 82 are formed integrally with the flange 108. The walls 80 and 82 are designed such that they define the opening 114 ~;o the opening 114 can accommodate se~reral 3~ di~ferent sizes of ~yringPs as noted earlier, with or without needles, and prevent deposited syringes f rom exiting the di~posable receptacle 12.
~= " 2122 14~
As shown in FIGS. 7D-7F the walls 80 and 8~ of the c:hutes 54 alsc3 ha~e outer surfacas 116 and 118 respectively. The outer surfa~:eF 116 and 118 ins:lude stiffenin5~ ribs 96, 98, and lOO which run along the outer 5 surfaces 116 and 118 of the wall s ~0 and B2 and help maintain the rigid~ ty and straiyh~ness of the opening 114 of eac:h chute 54.
The outer edges 12~a and 122b as sho~m in FIGS. 7D
and 7G of t:he :Elange ~08 of each chute 54 include two 10 int~grally formed attachment ledges 84 and 86. These ledges 84 and 86 allow the chutes 54 to be snapped onto t~e hooks 76 on the underside of the top wall 64 of the top sec:tion 52 ( shos~n in FI~;S . 6B, 6I, and 6J3 . Thus, by this ledge and hook arrangement each chute 54 is attas::hed 15 to the aisposable receptacle 12. Ribs or guards 102 are ~olded into the chute 54 as seen in FIGS. 7A-7D. The~;e are provided to prevent a needle of a syrirlge whieh is in the receptac:l~ from s~icking ou~ of the openings or cras:ks ~ betw~ell the eds~es of the chute 54 and body of ~he top 20;: sectio~ 52 of tha receptacle 12 where the chute attaches a~ ~he aperture 4 0 .
The dimensions, angles, and slopes of each c:hute 54 are ilaportant as an ~xample which is workable for the pr~*erred e~bodimen~. The tolerance o~ the opening 11~ of e~ch ch~te 54 can b~ tested ~y a cyli~der and ball te~t~
he~pening 114 of each chu~e 54 should be o~ a siæe that allsws a cylinder o~ a particNlar size to pasæ through, but does not allow a ball o~ ~ particular, slightly larg~r ~ize to pas t~rough.
i 30 FIGS. 8A-8E ~how a bottom clo~ure 56 ~or the ~; di~po~able r ceptacl2 1~. ~s shown in FIGS. 8~-8E, the botto~ closure 56 includes a groove 88 all around its outer ~dye, along with attachment ~lots 9Q. The groove 88 i8 de~igned ~uch that when the top section 52 and the bo~tom closure 56 are attached there is a gsod seal between them which is }eak-resistant. The attachment 810ts 90 are designsd to receive the tabs 78 on the bottom WOs3/~9 PCTfU~92/~9490 2122~4~ ``
1~
edg of the top section 52 (shown in FIGS. 6B-~E, and 6G~
and pro~ide a tamper-r~sistant connection. The slots 90 are ~pac~d such that they will accept the tabs 78 only if the top section ~2 and the bottom closure 56 are properly aligned ~no~ upside down). It is preferable t~at the outar edge B9 adjacent ~he openings 9o be claar or translucent (or that the closure 56 be clear or translucent), and that the tabs 78 of the top section 52 be of a color (e.g., red) so that the tabs 78 will be vis~b~e through the edge 89. This prcvides a ready indicator to show whether or not the top section 52 and bottom closure 56 are properly attached together.
Although a particular and preferred embodiment of a sharp~ collector has be~n shown and describ~d herein for use with ~everal sizes of insulin yringes as discussed earli~r, it is to be understood that the collector design aan b~ m3dified for other sizes and types of syringes, ~s well as for other sharps type device~. Although a receptacle 12 having a pair of apertur~s 40 has been shown 20: a~ a pre~erred embodi~ent ~or di~tribution of syringes, a s~ngle aperture receptacle could be used along with a chute to reduce the chances of syringes reemerging. Even 80, ~me form of shuttle zrrangement, a~though not nece~sary, ~ti}l may be desir~ble fcr ease of use.
Furth~rmor~, the cover 14 and double shuttle arrangement 16 can be used on other forms of receptacIe~, ev~n conv~ntional forms of receptacles, for facilitating depo~it of syringes and other harp~. Al~o, particularly in the case of a single aperture r~ceptacle, the ~huttle can be provided with a spring return.
Whi~e an embodiment of the present invention has been ~hown and d~scxibed, various modifications may be madP
without departing from the scope o~ the present invention, and all such ~odifications and equi~alents are intended to be cov~red.
` ~: 6. Additiesnal space may be allc~wed for ~arlufat:~uring , asse~ly , etc ., that do not violate rul~s -~ ~ 25 1 5.
he d~pending arcuate wall 80 as hown in FIG. 7D
~; ext~nds p~arpendic:ular to and downward ~r~m the ~lange 108 at th~ inner edge 120~ and then arcs inwardly toward the f lat ~ngled wall 82 . The f lat angled wall 82 ~xtends ~'owrlward ~rom th~i ~lange 108 at the inner edge 120b and angle~ inward towards the arcuate wall 8~. T~e walls 80 and 82 are formed integrally with the flange 108. The walls 80 and 82 are designed such that they define the opening 114 ~;o the opening 114 can accommodate se~reral 3~ di~ferent sizes of ~yringPs as noted earlier, with or without needles, and prevent deposited syringes f rom exiting the di~posable receptacle 12.
~= " 2122 14~
As shown in FIGS. 7D-7F the walls 80 and 8~ of the c:hutes 54 alsc3 ha~e outer surfacas 116 and 118 respectively. The outer surfa~:eF 116 and 118 ins:lude stiffenin5~ ribs 96, 98, and lOO which run along the outer 5 surfaces 116 and 118 of the wall s ~0 and B2 and help maintain the rigid~ ty and straiyh~ness of the opening 114 of eac:h chute 54.
The outer edges 12~a and 122b as sho~m in FIGS. 7D
and 7G of t:he :Elange ~08 of each chute 54 include two 10 int~grally formed attachment ledges 84 and 86. These ledges 84 and 86 allow the chutes 54 to be snapped onto t~e hooks 76 on the underside of the top wall 64 of the top sec:tion 52 ( shos~n in FI~;S . 6B, 6I, and 6J3 . Thus, by this ledge and hook arrangement each chute 54 is attas::hed 15 to the aisposable receptacle 12. Ribs or guards 102 are ~olded into the chute 54 as seen in FIGS. 7A-7D. The~;e are provided to prevent a needle of a syrirlge whieh is in the receptac:l~ from s~icking ou~ of the openings or cras:ks ~ betw~ell the eds~es of the chute 54 and body of ~he top 20;: sectio~ 52 of tha receptacle 12 where the chute attaches a~ ~he aperture 4 0 .
The dimensions, angles, and slopes of each c:hute 54 are ilaportant as an ~xample which is workable for the pr~*erred e~bodimen~. The tolerance o~ the opening 11~ of e~ch ch~te 54 can b~ tested ~y a cyli~der and ball te~t~
he~pening 114 of each chu~e 54 should be o~ a siæe that allsws a cylinder o~ a particNlar size to pasæ through, but does not allow a ball o~ ~ particular, slightly larg~r ~ize to pas t~rough.
i 30 FIGS. 8A-8E ~how a bottom clo~ure 56 ~or the ~; di~po~able r ceptacl2 1~. ~s shown in FIGS. 8~-8E, the botto~ closure 56 includes a groove 88 all around its outer ~dye, along with attachment ~lots 9Q. The groove 88 i8 de~igned ~uch that when the top section 52 and the bo~tom closure 56 are attached there is a gsod seal between them which is }eak-resistant. The attachment 810ts 90 are designsd to receive the tabs 78 on the bottom WOs3/~9 PCTfU~92/~9490 2122~4~ ``
1~
edg of the top section 52 (shown in FIGS. 6B-~E, and 6G~
and pro~ide a tamper-r~sistant connection. The slots 90 are ~pac~d such that they will accept the tabs 78 only if the top section ~2 and the bottom closure 56 are properly aligned ~no~ upside down). It is preferable t~at the outar edge B9 adjacent ~he openings 9o be claar or translucent (or that the closure 56 be clear or translucent), and that the tabs 78 of the top section 52 be of a color (e.g., red) so that the tabs 78 will be vis~b~e through the edge 89. This prcvides a ready indicator to show whether or not the top section 52 and bottom closure 56 are properly attached together.
Although a particular and preferred embodiment of a sharp~ collector has be~n shown and describ~d herein for use with ~everal sizes of insulin yringes as discussed earli~r, it is to be understood that the collector design aan b~ m3dified for other sizes and types of syringes, ~s well as for other sharps type device~. Although a receptacle 12 having a pair of apertur~s 40 has been shown 20: a~ a pre~erred embodi~ent ~or di~tribution of syringes, a s~ngle aperture receptacle could be used along with a chute to reduce the chances of syringes reemerging. Even 80, ~me form of shuttle zrrangement, a~though not nece~sary, ~ti}l may be desir~ble fcr ease of use.
Furth~rmor~, the cover 14 and double shuttle arrangement 16 can be used on other forms of receptacIe~, ev~n conv~ntional forms of receptacles, for facilitating depo~it of syringes and other harp~. Al~o, particularly in the case of a single aperture r~ceptacle, the ~huttle can be provided with a spring return.
Whi~e an embodiment of the present invention has been ~hown and d~scxibed, various modifications may be madP
without departing from the scope o~ the present invention, and all such ~odifications and equi~alents are intended to be cov~red.
Claims (31)
1. A collector for holding and disposing of syringes comprising a disposable receptacle generally resembling a rectangular box, wherein said receptacle includes an upper receptacle body resembling a box with an open bottom and a lower receptacle closure for connection with said upper receptacle body closing said open bottom of the upper receptacle body to form said disposable receptacle, said disposable receptacle having two substantially parallel elongated apertures, said apertures providing access to a pair of chutes, a pair of chutes mounted onto the disposable receptacle and extending into the receptacle, said chutes being aligned with the elongated apertures of said disposable receptacle, said chutes providing means for guiding and introducing syringes into said disposable receptacle and obstructing contained syringes from protruding or re-emerging from said disposable receptacle, a decorative reusable cover generally resembling a box with an open bottom, said cover being configured to fit over, attach to, and cover said disposable receptacle and be detachable therefrom, said cover being proportioned to conceal the elongated apertures of said receptacle, said cover including an elongated opening for providing access to a double shuttle attached to said cover, and a double shuttle attached to the reusable cover, said double shuttle being movable and providing means by which syringes are discarded into the disposable receptacle through the apertures and chutes of said disposable receptacle when said cover is in place on the receptacle.
2. A collector for holding and disposing of syringes comprising a disposable receptacle generally resembling a rectangular box, wherein said receptacle includes an upper receptacle body resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, and fasteners, extending from two of the side walls, and a lower receptacle closure for connection with the four side walls and the fasteners of said upper receptacle body for holding said lower receptacle closure onto said upper receptacle body and closing said open bottom of the upper receptacle body to form said disposable receptacle, said top wall of said disposable receptacle having two parallel elongated apertures, said apertures providing access to a pair of chutes, a pair of chutes mounted onto the top wall of the disposable receptacle and extending into the receptacle, said chutes being aligned with the apertures of said disposable receptacle, said chutes providing means for guiding and introducing syringes into said disposable receptacle and obstructing contained syringes from protruding or re-emerging from said disposable receptacle, a decorative reusable cover generally resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, said cover being configured to fit over, attach to, and cover said disposable receptacle and be detachable therefrom, said cover being proportioned to conceal the elongated apertures of said receptacle, said top wall of said cover including an elongate opening for providing access to a double shuttle attached to said cover, and a double shuttle attached to the top wall of said reusable cover, said double shuttle providing means by which syringes are discarded into the disposable receptacle through the apertures and chutes of said disposable receptacle when said cover is in place on the receptacle.
3. A collector for holding and disposing of syringes comprising a disposable receptacle generally resembling a rectangular box, wherein said receptacle includes an upper receptacle body resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, and fasteners formed thereon, and a lower receptacle closure with a groove and fasteners formed thereon which corresponds to and connect with the four side walls and the fasteners of said upper receptacle body for thereby holding said lower receptacle closure onto said upper receptacle body and closing said open bottom of the upper receptacle body to form said disposable receptacle, said top wall of said disposable receptacle having at least one elongated aperture, each aperture providing access to a chute, a chute mounted onto the inner surface of the top wall of the disposable receptacle, said chute being aligned with the aperture of said disposable receptacle, said chute providing means for guiding and introducing syringes into said disposable receptacle and obstructing contained syringes from protruding or re-emerging from said disposable receptacle, a reusable cover generally resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, said cover being designed to fit over, attach to, detach from, and cover said disposable receptacle, said cover being proportioned to conceal the elongated aperture of said receptacle, said top wall of said cover including an elongated opening for providing access to a shuttle attached to said cover, and a shuttle attached to said reusable cover, said shuttle being movable and providing means by which syringes are discarded into the disposable receptacle through the aperture and chute of said disposable receptacle when said cover is in place on the receptacle.
4. A container for holding and disposing of syringes comprising a disposable receptacle generally resembling a rectangular box, said receptacle including an upper receptacle body resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, and fasteners formed thereon, and a lower receptacle closure with a groove and fasteners formed thereon which correspond to and connect with the four side walls and the fasteners of said upper receptacle body thereby holding said lower receptacle closure onto said upper receptacle body and closing said open bottom of the upper receptacle body to form said disposable receptacle, said top wall of said disposable receptacle having two parallel elongated apertures, said apertures providing access to a pair of chutes, said top wall of said disposable receptacle having attachment slots, said slots providing a means for a cover to attach to and detach from said disposable receptacle, a pair of chutes mounted onto the inner surface of the top wall of the disposable receptacle, said chutes being aligned with the apertures of said disposable receptacle, said chutes providing means for guiding and introducing syringes into said disposable receptacle and obstructing contained syringes from protruding or re-emerging from said disposable receptacle.
a reusable cover generally resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, said cover being designed to fit over, attach to, and cover said disposable receptacle and be detachable therefrom, said cover being proportioned to conceal the parallel elongated apertures of said receptacle, said top wall of said cover including an elongated opening for providing access to a double shuttle attached to said cover, said cover having attachment posts on the inner surface of the top wall, said posts providing a means for attaching attachment guides to the reusable cover, said cover having openings providing a means for release tabs to protrude through the cover, a pair of attachment guides having holes which fit onto posts located on the inner surface of the top wall of the reusable cover and attach the guides to the reusable cover, downward extending hooks for attaching the reusable cover to the disposable receptacle by engaging attachment slots formed in the disposable receptacle, upward extending release tabs which fit through openings formed in the reusable cover and, when pressed down, cause the reusable cover to be released from the disposable receptacle by disengaging said attachment hooks from said attachment slots, and attachment ledges for attaching the double shuttle to the reusable cover while allowing manipulation of said double shuttle, and a movable double shuttle attached to the inner surface of the top wall of said reusable cover, said double shuttle providing means by which syringes are discarded into the disposable receptacle through the apertures and chutes of said disposable receptacle when said cover is in place on the receptacle.
a reusable cover generally resembling a box having a top wall with inner and outer surfaces, four side walls, and an open bottom, said cover being designed to fit over, attach to, and cover said disposable receptacle and be detachable therefrom, said cover being proportioned to conceal the parallel elongated apertures of said receptacle, said top wall of said cover including an elongated opening for providing access to a double shuttle attached to said cover, said cover having attachment posts on the inner surface of the top wall, said posts providing a means for attaching attachment guides to the reusable cover, said cover having openings providing a means for release tabs to protrude through the cover, a pair of attachment guides having holes which fit onto posts located on the inner surface of the top wall of the reusable cover and attach the guides to the reusable cover, downward extending hooks for attaching the reusable cover to the disposable receptacle by engaging attachment slots formed in the disposable receptacle, upward extending release tabs which fit through openings formed in the reusable cover and, when pressed down, cause the reusable cover to be released from the disposable receptacle by disengaging said attachment hooks from said attachment slots, and attachment ledges for attaching the double shuttle to the reusable cover while allowing manipulation of said double shuttle, and a movable double shuttle attached to the inner surface of the top wall of said reusable cover, said double shuttle providing means by which syringes are discarded into the disposable receptacle through the apertures and chutes of said disposable receptacle when said cover is in place on the receptacle.
5. A disposable receptacle for holding and disposing of syringes comprising an upper receptacle body generally resembling an elongated box comprising four side walls having inner and outer surfaces and a top wall having inner and outer surfaces, said top wall having two substantially parallel elongated apertures, therein, said apertures providing access to a pair of chutes mounted to the inner surface of said top wall, said apertures and chutes being adapted to pass syringes, and a lower closure adapted to engage the walls of said receptacle body and attach thereto and form a leak resistant seal between the walls of said receptacle body and said closure.
6. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein each of the chutes of said upper receptacle body is configured to form an opening defined by a flange which frames the opening and has inner edges which define the opening, and which has outer edges, a depending arcuate wall which initially extends perpendicular to and downward from the flange at the inner edge of the flange, and then arcs inward towards a flat angled wall, and a flat angled wall which extends downward from the flange at the inner edge of the flange and angles inward towards the arcuate wall, and said chutes are mounted directly below and in alignment with the apertures of the top wall of the upper receptacle body, said chutes providing a means through which syringes fall as syringes are dropped through the apertures and become enclosed in and obstructed from protruding or re-emerging from said disposable receptacle.
7. The receptacle according to Claim 6 wherein the depending arcuate wall and the flat angled wall of each chute have inner and outer surfaces and ribs are formed integrally with said outer surfaces, said ribs extending along the outer surfaces to increase the rigidity thereof for maintaining the straightness of said opening in the chute.
8. The receptacle according to Claim 6 wherein the outer edges of the flange of each chute includes integrally formed attachment ledges, said ledges providing a means for attaching the chutes to the upper receptacle body of the disposable receptacle.
9. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein the side walls of said upper receptacle body are tapered inward towards the top so that a number of said receptacle bodies may be stacked one inside another for storage.
10. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein ridges are formed integrally with the inner surface of the top wall of said upper receptacle body, said ridges form dams surrounding the apertures of said upper receptacle body and help prevent leaks of substances from inside the receptacle body through said apertures.
11. The receptacle according to Claim 10 wherein said ridges include hooks which allow for the attachment of the chutes onto the inner surface of the top wall of the upper receptacle body.
12. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein aperture covers are integrally formed with the outer surface of the top wall of the upper receptacle body, said aperture covers normally being retained open to expose said apertures but which for disposal of the receptacle fit over and cover the apertures of said upper receptacle body and help prevent syringes in the receptacle from reemerging.
13. The receptacle according to Claim 12 wherein each of said covers is connected to the upper receptacle body by a living hinge.
14. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein the four side walls of said upper receptacle body comprise two side walls, a back wall, and a front wall, with a pull-out handle integrally formed on the outer surface of said front wall, said handle providing a means for carrying said disposable receptacle.
15. The receptacle according to Claim 14 wherein said handle is connected to the front wall of the upper receptacle body by a living hinge.
16. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein said receptacle is made of injection molded polypropylene.
17. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein the top wall of the upper receptacle body has attachment slots, said slots providing a means for a cover to attach to and detach from said disposable receptacle, and further comprising a reusable decorative cover which may be attached to and detached from said disposable receptacle, and a pair of attachment guides attached to the reusable cover and have downward extending hooks for attaching the guides and, thus, the reusable cover to the disposable receptacle by engaging attachment slots formed in the disposable receptacle.
18. The receptacle according to Claim 5 further comprising a reusable decorative cover which may be attached to and detached from said disposable receptacle, said reusable cover generally resembling an elongated box comprising four side walls and a top wall having inner and outer surfaces, said top wall having an elongated opening located therein, said opening permitting manipulation of a double shuttle, and a generally rectangular double shuttle movably attached to the inner surface of the top wall of said reusable cover, and said double shuttle having walls defining parallel elongated slots for receiving syringes, said walls providing a means for pushing syringes toward the apertures of said disposable receptacle.
19. The receptacle according to Claim 18 wherein the reusable cover has a pair of attachment guides having holes which fit onto posts located on the inner surface of the top wall of the reusable cover and attach the guides to the reusable cover, downward extending hooks for attaching the guides and, thus, the reusable cover to the disposable receptacle by engaging attachment slots formed in the disposable receptacle, upward extending release tabs which fit through slots formed in the reusable cover and, when pressed down, cause the reusable cover to be released from the disposable receptacle by disengaging said attachment hooks from said attachment slots, and attachment ledges for attaching the double shuttle to the reusable cover while allowing sliding movement of said double shuttle.
20. The receptacle according to Claim 19 wherein the inner surface of the top wall of said cover has attachment posts, said posts providing a means for attaching the attachment guides to the reusable cover.
21. The receptacle according to Claim 18 wherein the double shuttle has a handle member between the parallel slots, said handle member extending slightly taller than the remainder of said double shuttle and protruding out of, but narrower than, the elongated opening in the reusable cover, said handle providing a means for moving said double shuttle back and forth in said opening and limiting such movement to the width of said elongated opening of the reusable cover.
22. The receptacle according to Claim 18 wherein the double shuttle has two attachment flanges, said flanges providing a means for movably attaching said double shuttle to the reusable cover.
23. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein one of either the upper receptacle body or the lower closure has a plurality of colored locking tabs and the other is formed to allow the tabs to be viewed to visibly indicate to the user whether or not the upper receptacle body and the lower closure are locked together.
24. The receptacle according to Claim 5 wherein the upper receptacle body has a plurality of colored locking tabs and the lower closure is formed to allow the tabs to be viewed to visibly indicate to the user whether or not the upper receptacle body and the lower closure are locked together.
25. A disposable receptacle for holding and disposing of syringes comprising an upper receptacle body generally resembling an elongated box having two parallel elongated apertures therein, said apertures providing access to a pair of chutes connected with the receptacle body, said apertures and chutes being adapted to pass syringes, a lower closure adapted to engage the walls of said receptacle body and attach thereto and form a leak resistant seal between the walls of said receptacle body and said closure, and each chute comprising defining an opening having inner and outer edges, a depending arcuate wall which initially extends perpendicular to and downward from the chute at the inner edge of the opening, and then arcs inward towards a flat angled wall, and a flat angled wall which extends downward from the chute at the inner edge of the opening and angles inward towards the arcuate wall, and said chutes providing a means through which syringes fall as syringes are dropped through the apertures of the upper receptacle body and obstructing syringes from protruding or re-emerging from said disposable receptacle.
26. A reusable cover generally resembling a rectangular box comprising four side walls and a top wall having inner and outer surfaces, said top wall having an elongated opening located therein, said opening permitting manipulation of a double shuttle, and a generally rectangular double shuttle movably attached to the inner surface of the top wall of said reusable cover, said double shuttle having walls defining parallel elongated slots for receiving syringes, said walls providing a means for pushing syringes toward the apertures of said disposable receptacle.
27. A reusable cover generally resembling a rectangular box and having an elongated opening located therein, said opening permitting access to a double shuttle, and a generally rectangular double shuttle movably attached to the reusable cover, said double shuttle having walls defining parallel elongated slots for receiving syringes, said walls providing a means for pushing syringes toward apertures of a disposable receptacle enclosed by said reusable cover, said double shuttle also having a handle member between the parallel slots, said handle member extending slightly taller than the remainder of said double shuttle and protruding out of, but narrower than, the elongated opening in the reusable cover, said handle providing a means for moving said double shuttle back and forth in said opening and limiting such movement to the width of said elongate opening of the reusable cover.
28. An apparatus for receiving and storing for disposal syringes and the like comprising a disposable receptacle body substantially in the form of a rectangular box having a top with a plurality of substantially parallel and elongated apertures for receiving syringes therethrough for distribution within the receptacle body, the receptacle having a removable bottom closure which can be substantially locked and sealed with the bottom of the receptacle body, a shuttle assembly having at least one elongated opening for initially receiving each syringe and being movable with respect to the top of the receptacle body for pushing a syringe substantially horizontally into respective apertures of the receptacle body, and chutes disposed with respect to the apertures in the receptacle body for allowing syringes to fall through an aperture into the receptacle body, and the chutes being configured to substantially prevent reemergence of a syringe from the receptacle body.
29. An apparatus as in Claim 28 including a decorative cover adapted to fit over and cover the receptacle, the cover having an elongated opening through which syringes can pass to the shuttle, the shuttle underlying the cover and being adapted to move back and forth with respect to said opening to allow syringes to be distributed first to one elongated aperture and then to the other.
30. An apparatus as in Claim 28 wherein the elongated apertures in the receptacle and the elongated opening in the shuttle being configured for receiving syringes therein in a horizontal orientation to allow syringes to be deposited in the shuttle horizontally and to drop horizontally through the apertures into the receptacle.
31. A method of containing and storing used syringes for disposal wherein the syringes are received into a receptacle and distributed into the receptacle in a substantially even manner, comprising the steps of (a) dropping a syringe in a horizontal orientation into an opening in a movable shuttle, (b) moving the shuttle in a predetermined manner to cause the syringe to drop substantially horizontally through an aperture and chute into a receptacle, (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) with a second syringe to cause the second syringe to be passed substantially horizontally through a second aperture and chute into the receptacle, and (d) repeating the foregoing steps (a) - (c) for additional syringes.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/789,739 US5184720A (en) | 1991-11-08 | 1991-11-08 | Sharps collector |
| US07/789,739 | 1991-11-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2122444A1 true CA2122444A1 (en) | 1993-05-13 |
Family
ID=25148546
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002122444A Abandoned CA2122444A1 (en) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-11-04 | Sharps collector |
Country Status (11)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5184720A (en) |
| EP (2) | EP0541339A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07500753A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE176856T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3126793A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2122444A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69228484T2 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9206390A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO941657L (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993009039A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA928464B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8998031B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2015-04-07 | Stericycle, Inc. | Waste container assembly |
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| AU6495494A (en) * | 1993-04-12 | 1994-11-08 | Specialized Health Products, Inc. | Container for transport and disposal of medical instruments |
| US5630506A (en) * | 1994-03-07 | 1997-05-20 | Specialized Health Products, Inc. | Apparatus and method for transporting and discarding medical materials |
| US5570783A (en) * | 1994-03-07 | 1996-11-05 | Specialized Health Products, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for transporting and discarding medical materials |
| US5474180A (en) * | 1994-03-07 | 1995-12-12 | Specialized Health Products, Inc. | Container assembly for transport and disposal of medical materials |
| US6524230B1 (en) * | 1994-07-22 | 2003-02-25 | Ranpak Corp. | Packing material product and method and apparatus for making, monitoring and controlling the same |
| US5573132A (en) * | 1994-11-25 | 1996-11-12 | Kanfer; Joseph S. | Dispensing container |
| US5494158A (en) * | 1994-12-29 | 1996-02-27 | Mmct Holdings, Llc | Syringe sales and disposal box |
| US5848692A (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 1998-12-15 | Specialized Health Products, Inc. | Unimold container for discarding medical material |
| US6283909B1 (en) * | 1999-01-22 | 2001-09-04 | Fraser R. Sharp | Container for supplying medical products and disposal of medical waste material |
| USD431079S (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2000-09-19 | Stik Stoppers Inc. | Medical needle container |
| US6876991B1 (en) | 1999-11-08 | 2005-04-05 | Collaborative Decision Platforms, Llc. | System, method and computer program product for a collaborative decision platform |
| US6591989B2 (en) * | 2000-02-10 | 2003-07-15 | Mcneill Allen R. | Display sleeve enclosure for a dispensing container |
| US7159714B2 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2007-01-09 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Sharps transport and disposal system |
| US6811679B2 (en) | 2003-03-28 | 2004-11-02 | Council Of Scientific & Industrial Research | Process for electrochemical oxidation of bromide to bromine |
| WO2005029286A2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-03-31 | Vesta Medical, Llc | System and method for sorting medical waste for disposal |
| US7275645B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2007-10-02 | Vesta Medical, Llc | Handheld medical waste sorting device |
| US7318529B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2008-01-15 | Vest Medical, Llc | Method for sorting discarded and spent pharmaceutical items |
| US7311207B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2007-12-25 | Vesta Medical, Llc | System for sorting discarded and spent pharmaceutical items |
| US7562025B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2009-07-14 | Vesta Medical, Llc | Waste sorting system with query function, and method thereof |
| US7303081B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2007-12-04 | Vesta Medical, Llc | Handheld medical waste sorting method |
| US7660724B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2010-02-09 | Vesta Medical, Llc | Waste sorting system utilizing removable liners |
| US8195328B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2012-06-05 | Vesta Medical, Llc | Combination disposal and dispensing apparatus and method |
| US7644834B2 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2010-01-12 | Navilyst Medical, Inc. | Splash minimizing lid for liquid waste receptacle |
| US20060219718A1 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | Sherwood Services, Ag | Integral tortuous path receptacle cover |
| US20080254170A1 (en) * | 2007-04-12 | 2008-10-16 | Neil Edward Darin | multi-compartment produce container with controlled gas permeation |
| US20090204078A1 (en) * | 2008-02-13 | 2009-08-13 | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. | Manifold and Valve Seal for Use with a Medical Device |
| US20090236347A1 (en) * | 2008-03-19 | 2009-09-24 | Ultimed Inc. | Sharps container |
| US9144642B2 (en) | 2009-09-18 | 2015-09-29 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Shipping container integrating a sharps disposal container with a new product storage container |
| US8668344B2 (en) | 2011-11-30 | 2014-03-11 | Izi Medical Products | Marker sphere including edged opening to aid in molding |
| US8661573B2 (en) | 2012-02-29 | 2014-03-04 | Izi Medical Products | Protective cover for medical device having adhesive mechanism |
| US10321968B2 (en) | 2015-10-23 | 2019-06-18 | Medline Industries, Inc. | Sharps container |
| CN108853634B (en) * | 2018-04-02 | 2024-04-09 | 宁波卫生职业技术学院 | Injection disk with sharp instrument box |
| US11753240B2 (en) * | 2020-06-16 | 2023-09-12 | Impact Plastics Corporation | Document destruction lid |
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| US3285462A (en) * | 1963-08-26 | 1966-11-15 | Carl W Blackley | Sanitary disposable container |
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| US4869366A (en) * | 1987-09-22 | 1989-09-26 | John Bruno | Receptacle assembly for storage and disposal of potentially injurious implements such as used scalpel blades, hypodermic needles and the like |
| US4890733A (en) * | 1988-03-01 | 1990-01-02 | Anderson Robert S | Disposal receptacle for used, sharp, medical instruments or other biohazards |
| US4809850A (en) * | 1988-03-28 | 1989-03-07 | Custom Medical Plastics, Inc. | Self-closing sharps container with hand protection |
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| US4927076A (en) * | 1989-01-24 | 1990-05-22 | Hemox, Inc. | Medical appliance disposal container |
| US4930631A (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1990-06-05 | John Bruno | Receptacle for storage and disposal of potentially injurious implements such as used scalpel blades, hypodermic needles and the like |
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| US5080251A (en) * | 1989-07-28 | 1992-01-14 | Devon Industries, Inc. | Tortuous path in-patient room medical waste disposal container |
| US5014874A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1991-05-14 | George G. Kitsos | Refuse container |
| US5031767A (en) * | 1989-10-19 | 1991-07-16 | John Bruno | Needle removal/containment and transport apparatus for safe storage and disposal of hypodermic needles/syringe assemblies |
-
1991
- 1991-11-08 US US07/789,739 patent/US5184720A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-11-03 ZA ZA928464A patent/ZA928464B/en unknown
- 1992-11-03 EP EP19920310073 patent/EP0541339A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-11-04 AT AT92925076T patent/ATE176856T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-11-04 CA CA002122444A patent/CA2122444A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-11-04 JP JP5508705A patent/JPH07500753A/en active Pending
- 1992-11-04 AU AU31267/93A patent/AU3126793A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-11-04 WO PCT/US1992/009490 patent/WO1993009039A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1992-11-04 DE DE69228484T patent/DE69228484T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-11-04 EP EP92925076A patent/EP0611358B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-11-06 MX MX9206390A patent/MX9206390A/en unknown
-
1994
- 1994-05-05 NO NO941657A patent/NO941657L/en unknown
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8998031B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2015-04-07 | Stericycle, Inc. | Waste container assembly |
| US9585719B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2017-03-07 | Stericycle, Inc. | Waste container assembly |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0611358A1 (en) | 1994-08-24 |
| WO1993009039A1 (en) | 1993-05-13 |
| DE69228484T2 (en) | 1999-07-15 |
| ZA928464B (en) | 1993-05-05 |
| MX9206390A (en) | 1993-08-01 |
| EP0611358B1 (en) | 1999-02-24 |
| NO941657D0 (en) | 1994-05-05 |
| ATE176856T1 (en) | 1999-03-15 |
| NO941657L (en) | 1994-07-08 |
| US5184720A (en) | 1993-02-09 |
| AU3126793A (en) | 1993-06-07 |
| DE69228484D1 (en) | 1999-04-01 |
| JPH07500753A (en) | 1995-01-26 |
| EP0541339A3 (en) | 1993-06-09 |
| EP0611358A4 (en) | 1995-01-11 |
| EP0541339A2 (en) | 1993-05-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |