WO2007113568A1

WO2007113568A1 - A container

Info

Publication number: WO2007113568A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Ian Trevillion; Jason Teckoe
Original assignee: Bioprogress Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2007-04-04
Publication date: 2007-10-11
Also published as: GB0606796D0

Abstract

A container (1) comprising an outer sealable chamber (2) comprising an outer sealable opening (4) that in an open position allows material to be placed within the outer chamber (2), and a liquid emitting device (9) that is only operable when the outer sealable opening (4) is closed; and an inner sealable chamber (3) connected to the outer chamber (2) by an inner sealable opening (10) that in an open position allows material to pass from the outer chamber (2) into the inner chamber (3), wherein control elements interconnect the inner sealable opening (10) and the outer sealable (4) opening to ensure that they are not simultaneously open.

Description

A Container

The invention relates to a container for the storage of contaminated material.

The safe containment of contaminated material is essential for the health and safety of people and workers who are in the vicinity of the contaminated material as well as to prevent further contamination on removal of the material from the area in which it is being temporarily stored.

Currently, biologically contaminated material is generally stored temporarily in a bag in a bin that is designated for contaminated material. This bag is then transported to a disposal facility that is capable of dealing with the material properly. The problem with this method is that the material in the bag is open to the atmosphere so that there is a risk of air borne particulate contamination. There is also a risk for anyone handling the bag as contaminated material could come into contact with the person handling the bag especially if it has been overfilled. The bag can also become torn easily so that contaminated material can come out during transportation causing contamination to the surrounding area.

The use of water soluble laundry bags to contain contaminated material is well known. However, these bags do not reduce the risk of contamination before they reach the disposal facility as they have the same problems associated with them as normal bags. They do allow the contaminated material to be put straight into a water processing apparatus whilst still in the bags, thus reducing handling of the contaminated material at the disposal facility.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container that contains and treats contaminated material in a sealed environment, reducing the risk of further contamination by allowing safe and easy storage and transportation of the contaminated material. According to the invention there is provided a container comprising: an outer sealable chamber comprising an outer sealable opening that in an open position allows material to be placed within the outer chamber, and a liquid emitting device that is only operable when the outer sealable opening is closed; and an inner sealable chamber connected to the outer chamber by an inner sealable opening that in an open position allows material to pass from the outer chamber into the inner chamber, wherein control elements interconnect the inner sealable opening and the outer sealable opening to ensure that they are not simultaneously open.

With such a container, it is impossible for the outer and inner sealable openings to be opened simultaneously so that material inside the inner chamber cannot be exposed to the external environment. The control elements ensure that only one of the inner sealable opening and the outer sealable opening can be open at any one time. This means that contaminated material placed inside the container, will be contained in the inner chamber so that there is no possibility of further contamination to people and the surrounding environment either when the container is in one particular location or when it is being transported for removal of the waste.

The container may be made from any suitable material. Preferably, it is made from stainless steel so that it is suitable for sterilization.

The outer sealable opening can be any suitable sealable opening. In particular, the sealable opening preferably comprises an aperture in the outer sealable chamber and a door sized to mate with the aperture and form an air tight seal. Preferably, the door is connected to the outer sealable chamber via a hinge. When the door is in a closed position, it mates with an aperture in the outer chamber where it abuts a seal positioned around the perimeter of the aperture. The seal can be made of any suitable material and forms an airtight seal with the door, thus sealing the outer chamber. Other sealable opening arrangements can be used and are well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the door is biased towards a closed position so that a force must be applied to maintain it in an open position. A spring may be used to bias the door into a closed position. Preferably, the door and the aperture in the outer chamber are substantially circular.

The diameter of the outer sealable opening is preferably between about 20 and 80cm, and most preferably about 50cm.

The inner sealable opening can be any suitable sealable opening, that in an open position allows material to pass from the outer sealable chamber to the inner sealable chamber. In particular, the sealable opening preferably comprises an aperture in the inner sealable chamber and a door sized to mate with the aperture and form an air tight seal. Preferably, the door is connected to the inner sealable chamber via a hinge. When the door is in a closed position, it mates with an aperture in the inner chamber where it abuts a seal positioned around the perimeter of the aperture. The seal can be made of any suitable material and forms an airtight seal with the door, thus sealing the inner chamber. Other sealable opening arrangements can be used and are well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the door and the aperture in the inner chamber are substantially circular.

The diameter of the inner sealable opening is preferably between about 20 and 80cm, and most preferably about 50cm.

The liquid emitting device can be any suitable liquid emitting device connected to an external liquid reservoir. Preferably, the liquid emitting device is a spraying device. Preferably, it comprises a hose with numerous holes or nozzles, positioned in a coil round the inner circumference of the outer sealable chamber. The external liquid reservoir may contain a heating element to allow the temperature of the liquid to be controlled. Alternatively, the external liquid reservoir may be cooled so that the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid reservoir is below that of the ambient temperature of the surroundings. The external liquid reservoir may be cooled in any suitable way. Cooling devices are well known to those skilled in the art. Cooling the liquid in the liquid reservoir may help to reduce the expansion of gases that may take place in the inner or outer chamber as the material placed in the container dissolves. The choice and volume of liquid emitted, and temperature of application depends on the material placed in the outer chamber. For example, if the contaminated material placed in the outer chamber is contained inside a polyvinyl alcohol bag then hot water with disinfectant could be used as the liquid in the liquid emitting device to start the dissolution of the bag. Alternatively, alcohols could be used at ambient temperature to ensure they are below flashpoint conditions.

The liquid emitting device is controlled by a suitable device so that it is only operable when the outer sealable opening is closed. Preferably, the liquid emitting device is operated by a pump under the control of a computer. Preferably, the computer is the same computer that forms part of the control elements.

The control elements can be any suitable elements to ensure that the inner sealable opening and the outer sealable opening cannot be opened simultaneously. The control elements may be mechanical or electronic control elements. Preferably the control elements comprise: sensors that detect whether the outer and inner sealable openings are in a closed or open position; an inner lock that locks the inner sealable opening in a closed position; an outer lock that locks the outer sealable opening in a closed position; and a computer, wherein the computer is programmed to control the locks to ensure that the inner sealable opening and the outer sealable opening cannot be opened simultaneously.

Suitable sensing devices and locks are well known to those skilled in the art.

The computer can be any suitable electronic device capable of controlling the other control elements. For example, this could be a processor.

The inner sealable opening can be operated by any suitable device, preferably so that it can be opened and closed remotely. Preferably, it is operated by a motorised arm. Preferably, the device that operates the inner sealable opening is controlled by the computer that forms part of the control elements. The material placed in the outer sealable chamber can be any suitable biologically or chemically contaminated material. This can include clinical waste bags, aprons, gowns, sheets, coverings, or any disposable item typically used in operating rooms. Preferably, the material placed in the outer sealable chamber is contained within a solvent soluble device, for example a solvent soluble colostomy bag or water soluble laundry bag.

These can be made from, for example, polyvinyl alcohol or polycaprolactone. A solvent can then be emitted from the liquid emitting device to start the dissolution of the solvent soluble device. The use of a solvent soluble device allows for safer handling of the contaminated material before it is placed in the outer chamber of the container.

Preferably, the inner sealable chamber contains a solvent. Preferably, the solvent causes the dissolution of the material into a suitable form for disposal, and most preferably causes the dissolution of the material into a semi-liquefied form. This helps to prevent air borne particulate contamination and aids ongoing disposal of materials in a safe and proper manner. Solvents that could be used include but are not restricted to: solvents for sanitising purposes e.g. ethanol, benzyl alcohol, or n-methylpyrollidone; solvents for dissolving solvent soluble devices e.g. hot water with disinfectant or alcohols.

The inner sealable chamber preferably contains a suitable filtered pressure valve as known to those skilled in the art to vent any build up of pressure that may occur in the container. This valve is preferably located on the rear of the container. The filter is used to stop the escape of contaminated material. Preferably, the filter is a disposable filter.

Furthermore, the inner sealable chamber preferably contains a sealable port which in an open position allows the contents of the inner sealable chamber to be easily and safely transferred to a larger receptacle for disposal or incineration. Preferably, this sealable port is arranged so that the fluid contents can be sucked out of the inner chamber into the larger receptacle.

The container preferably has wheels to allow it to be transportable for easy transfer from one location to another. The container can be any size or shape depending on the size and shape of the contaminated material that is to be placed inside. For example, a container designed for containing biohazard bags will be of a larger size than a container designed for containing solvent soluble colostomy bags. In one particular embodiment designed for containing standard sized biohazard bags, the outer sealable chamber preferably has a volume of about 150 litres. The inner sealable chamber preferably has a volume of about 800 litres so that it can contain a number of biohazard bags before it needs to be emptied.

The container can be insulated. If the liquid contained in the external reservoir is above or below the ambient temperature of the surroundings, insulation of the container will help to maintain the temperature of the liquid in the reservoir at an elevated or reduced temperature compared to the ambient temperature of the surroundings. The external liquid reservoir may be insulated. This will help to maintain the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid reservoir. Alternatively, the entire container may be insulated. This will also help to maintain any temperature change that occurs in the container and material inside the container as a result of the elevated or reduced temperature of the liquid in the liquid reservoir. If the temperature of the liquid contained in the liquid reservoir is below that of the surroundings, maintaining the liquid in the liquid reservoir at a reduced temperature may reduce any build up of pressure that may occur in the container. The container may be insulated with any suitable material. Insulating material is well known to those skilled in the art.

The container provides a method for storing contaminated material.

A container for the storage of contaminated materials in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figure in which

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the container in accordance with the invention. Example

The container (1) is made from stainless steel and has an outer sealable chamber (2) with a volume of about 150 litres connected to an inner sealable chamber (3) with a volume of about 800 litres. The outer sealable chamber (2) comprises: an outer sealable opening (4) comprising a circular disc connected to the outer sealable chamber (2) via a hinge (5) located at a point on the circumference of the disc which has a diameter of 50 cm; and a liquid spraying device (9) comprising a hose with numerous nozzles, positioned in a coil around the inner circumference of the outer sealable chamber connected to an external liquid reservoir (7). The inner sealable chamber (3) is connected to the outer sealable chamber (2) by an inner sealable opening (10) comprising a circular disc connected to the inner sealable chamber (3) via a hinge (18) located at a point on the circumference of the disc which has a diameter of 50 cm. The inner sealable opening (10) is opened and closed by a motorised arm (11). The simultaneous opening of the inner sealable opening (10) and outer sealable opening (4) is prevented by control elements. These control elements are comprised of: a sensing device (6) and a lock (8) located at the outer sealable opening (4); a sensing device (16) located at the inner sealable opening (10); and a computer (17). The computer (17) also controls the liquid spraying device (9) and the motorised arm (11). The inner sealable chamber (3) contains a solvent (12), a filtered pressure valve (13) and a sealable port (15). There are also wheels (14) on the container to allow transportation.

The function of the container is to store and treat contaminated material. The default status of the outer sealable opening (4) is locked. The computer (17) is activated causing the outer sealable opening (4) to unlock. Contaminated material contained in a solvent soluble device is place into the outer sealable chamber (2) via the outer sealable opening (4). The computer (17) is then activated to start the liquid spraying device (9). The computer (17) senses via the sensing device (6) that the outer sealable opening (4) is in a closed position. The computer (17) locks the outer sealable opening (4) via the lock (8), and activates the liquid spraying device (9). A solvent contained in an external reservoir (7) is then sprayed into the outer sealable chamber (2) via the liquid spraying device (9). This solvent starts to dissolve the solvent soluble device containing the contaminated material. After the spraying process, the inner sealable opening (10) is opened by the motorised arm (11) which is under the control of the computer (17). This allows the contaminated material to pass from the outer sealable chamber (2) to the inner sealable chamber (3), where it enters a solvent (12) contained in the inner sealable chamber (3). The inner sealable opening (10) is then closed and sealed by the motorised arm (11) under the control of the computer (17). Once the sensing device (16) detects that the inner sealable door is closed, the lock (8) can be released by the computer (17) allowing the outer sealable opening (4) to be opened, so that more contaminated material can be placed inside the outer sealable chamber (2). The solvent (12) in the inner sealable chamber (3) causes the dissolution of the contaminated material into a semi-liquefied form. A filtered pressure valve (13) in the inner sealable chamber (3) stops any build up of pressure.

The container (1) has wheels (14) so that when it needs to be emptied it can be transported to a disposal facility. The container (1) is connected to a larger receptacle by its sealable port (15) on the rear of the container and the semi-liquefied material can be sucked out into the larger receptacle.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that changes and alterations can be made to the described embodiment above without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the outer sealable opening is located on the side of the outer sealable chamber rather than on the top. On larger embodiments of the invention, having the outer sealable opening on the side would allow easier access to the outer sealable opening to place material into the outer chamber. This would mean that bags would not have to be lifted as high, especially if they were heavy, in order to place them into the outer chamber. Preferably, there is a chute leading from the outer opening to the inner opening to ensure that the contaminated material placed in the outer chamber is transferred to the inner chamber through the inner opening. This would reduce the chance of contaminated material remaining in the outer chamber after the inner opening has been opened. Furthermore, positioning the outer sealable opening on the side of the outer chamber could reduce the chance of solvent vapour escaping from the outer chamber when the outer sealable opening is in an open position and coming into contact with the eyes or respiratory system of the person disposing of the contaminated waste. This solvent vapour could come from the solvent sprayed from the liquid emitting device.

Claims

1. A container comprising: an outer sealable chamber comprising an outer sealable opening that in an open position allows material to be placed within the outer chamber, and a liquid emitting device that is only operable when the outer sealable opening is closed; and an inner sealable chamber connected to the outer chamber by an inner sealable opening that in an open position allows material to pass from the outer chamber into the inner chamber, wherein control elements interconnect the inner sealable opening and the outer sealable opening to ensure that they are not simultaneously open.

2. A container according to claim 1 made from stainless steel.

3. A container according to claims 1 or 2 in which the outer sealable opening comprises an aperture in the outer sealable chamber and a door sized to mate with the aperture and form an air tight seal.

4. A container according to claim 3 in which the door is connected to the outer sealable chamber via a hinge, wherein in a closed position, the door mates with the aperture and abuts a seal positioned around the perimeter of the aperture.

5. A container according to claims 3 or 4 in which the outer opening is biased towards a closed position so that a force must be applied to maintain it in an open position.

6. A container according to claims 3 or 4 in which the outer opening is substantially circular and has a diameter of between about 20 and 80cm.

7. A container according to claims 3 or 4 in which the outer opening is substantially circular and has a diameter of about 50cm.

8. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the outer opening is located on the side of the outer sealable chamber, and a chute connects the outer opening to the inner opening.

9. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the inner sealable opening comprises an aperture in the inner sealable chamber and a door sized to mate with the aperture and form an air tight seal.

10. A container according to claim 6 in which the door is connected to the inner sealable chamber via a hinge wherein in a closed position, the door mates with the aperture and abuts a seal positioned around the perimeter of the aperture.

11. A container according to claims 6 or 7 in which the inner opening is substantially circular and has a diameter of between about 20 and 80cm.

12. A container according to claims 6 or 7 in which the inner opening is substantially circular and has a diameter of about 50cm.

13. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the liquid emitting device is connected to an external liquid reservoir.

14. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the external liquid reservoir contains a heating or cooling element.

15. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the container is insulated.

16. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the liquid emitting device comprises a spraying device.

17. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the liquid emitting device is controlled by a computer that forms part of the control elements.

18. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the control elements are mechanical or electronic control elements.

19. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the control elements comprise: sensors that detect whether the outer and inner sealable openings are in a closed or open position; an inner lock that locks the inner sealable opening in a closed position; an outer lock that locks the outer sealable opening in a closed position; and a computer, wherein the computer is programmed to control the locks to ensure that the inner sealable opening and the outer sealable opening cannot be opened simultaneously.

20. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the inner sealable opening can be opened and closed remotely.

21. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the inner sealable opening is operated by a motorised arm.

22. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the device that operates the inner sealable opening is controlled by a computer that forms part of the control elements.

23. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the inner sealable chamber contains a solvent that causes the dissolution of material into a semi-liquefied form.

24. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the inner chamber contains a filtered pressure valve to stop any build up of pressure that may occur in the container.

25. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the inner chamber contains a sealable port which in an open position allows the contents of the inner sealable chamber to be easily and safely transferred to a larger receptacle for disposal.

26. A container according to any of the preceding claims that has wheels to allow it to be transportable for easy transfer from one location to another.

27. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the outer chamber has a volume of about 150 litres and the inner chamber has a volume of about 800 litres.

28. The use of the container to store contaminated material.