Sharps container

A waste container (10) comprising a receptacle (11) and a closure (13) connectable to the receptacle (11). The closure (13) comprises a base (14) and a support (15) extending upwardly from the base (14). The support (15) defines a front opening (16) and having a rear wall (17). A tray (18) comprising a shelf (19) and an inferiorly depending guard (21) is also provided in the support (15), with the tray (18) being at least partially rotatable relative to the support (15). The closure (13) further comprises a shield (23) comprising a main body (24) extending from one edge (25) to a free edge (26) and having an upper surface (27) and a lower surface (28). The shield (23) is hingedly connected to the support (15) at or adjacent to the one edge (25) and is moveable between an open position in which it overlies the rear wall (17) of the closure (13) and a closed position in which it is secured to the closure (13) to at least substantially cover the front opening (16).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to waste disposal containers including medical waste disposal containers.

BACKGROUND

With the risk of infection a key concern within the medical environment, it is important to provide safe and effective means to dispose of contaminated material such as syringes, other sharps, blood contaminated products and the like.

While containers have been developed for such purposes, there are a number of issues to address in order to achieve a safe and effective means of disposal. The opening of the container must be such that the material is properly received and does not fall out which is a problem with some current designs in which the opening is either too small or not suitably positioned to allow a user to partially insert a waste tray. Additionally, existing containers may not be suitably tamper-proof and/or do not properly prevent a user inserting their hand or at least their fingers through the opening and into the receptacle housing the contaminated products.

Existing containers may also not provide a final closure which securely covers the opening for waste. Even if provided, these final closures often interfere with the insertion of waste into the opening while the container is in use.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided:a waste container comprising:a receptacle having a base wall, a side wall extending upwardly therefrom, said side wall defining an aperture in said receptacle;a closure connectable to said receptacle, said closure comprising:a base;a support extending upwardly from said base, said support defining a front opening and having a rear wall;a tray comprising a shelf and an inferiorly depending guard, wherein the tray is at least partially rotatable relative to the support; anda shield comprising a main body extending from one edge to a free edge and having an upper and a lower surface, said shield hingedly connected to said support at or adjacent to said one edge and moveable between an open position in which it overlies said rear wall of the closure and a closed position in which it is secured to said closure to at least substantially cover said front opening,said shield being hingedly connected to said support by a flexible hinge and moveable between the open and closed positions about said flexible hinge;and further wherein any relative rotatable movement of the tray is independent of movement of the shield between said open and closed positions.

In a second aspect, there is provided a closure for a waste container, said closure comprising:a base;a support extending upwardly from said base, said support defining a front opening and having a rear wall;a tray comprising a shelf and an inferiorly depending guard, wherein the tray is at least partially rotatable relative to the support; anda shield comprising a main body extending from one edge to a free edge and having an upper and a lower surface, said shield hingedly connected to said support at or adjacent to said one edge and moveable between an open position in which it overlies said rear wall of the closure and a closed position in which it is secured to said closure to at least substantially cover said front opening,said shield being hingedly connected to said support by a flexible hinge and moveable between the open and closed positions about said flexible hinge;and further wherein any relative rotatable movement of the tray is independent of movement of the shield between said open and closed positions.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The waste container may be used to collect a range of waste material which may include medical waste. Examples include syringes, other types of sharps, cannula ports, tubing, and/or materials contaminated by blood, or other bodily fluids or tissues.

The base of said closure typically comprises a rim around its periphery to relatively receive at least an upper part or upper edge of the receptacle therein. The rim comprises a first component, a second component and two opposing lateral components extending between the first and second components. In one embodiment, the first and second components are parallel. In addition or otherwise, the two opposed lateral components can be parallel.

The receptacle and the closure are connectable and preferably securely connectable to one another. While such securement may be achieved through a number of different arrangements, in one embodiment, the receptacle comprises a number of protrusions in said side wall. An outer wall of the rim of the base may comprise one or more complementary apertures to relatively receive said protrusions. In this embodiment, at least part of the outer wall of the rim of the closure is sufficiently substantially resiliently flexible such that the rim may be positioned over the upper edge of the receptacle and relatively lowered over the upper part of the receptacle such that the protrusions are relatively received within said apertures.

To ensure that the closure is correctly positioned on the receptacle, the receptacle may comprise a first number of protrusions along one sidewall and a second, different number of protrusions along the opposing sidewall. The closure, likewise, may have different numbers of apertures in opposing sides of said rim. The number of apertures along one side of the rim is equal to the number of protrusions along one sidewall of the receptacle and, likewise, for the other side of the rim and the other sidewall of the receptacle. Accordingly, this forces a user to put the closure on the receptacle in the correct orientation.

One, some or all of the protrusions preferably comprise an upper sloped surface extending from the side wall of the receptacle. The sloped surface may extend to a flattened apex. The apex is typically flattened to provide a relatively planar surface which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle. As such, a lower edge of the rim is relatively slidable along said upper sloped surface when a relatively downward force is exerted upon said rim. As the lower edge of the rim moves beyond the upper sloped face, the engagement between protrusion and rim ceases and the outer wall of the rim resiliently flexes or snaps back towards or against the side wall of the receptacle. Each of the complementary apertures are sized such that as the lower edge of the rim snaps back towards or against the side wall of the receptacle, the protrusion is housed within the aperture and preferably protrudes therethrough. Removal of the closure from the receptacle would be unlikely and would require a user to deliberately distort the outer wall of the rim and lift it over each of the protrusions.

The closure extends upwardly from said base and typically comprises a pair of shoulders. Each shoulder extends from or adjacent the first component of the rim towards the second component of the rim. The pair of shoulders may be opposed relative to one another and can be parallel. Each shoulder may extend upwardly relative to said base from a lower end to an apical region.

Each shoulder may comprise a front face portion and a rear face portion, with these portions connected laterally by a sidewall. The sidewalls of the shoulders are typically substantially parallel with each other and with the lateral components of the rim.

The respective front face portions of the shoulders typically define part of the front opening of the closure and the sidewalls of each shoulder typically form the lateral boundary of said opening.

Said rear wall of the closure extends between said rear face portions of the opposed and laterally disposed shoulders and thereby defines the rear boundary of the opening. The rear wall extends from an upper edge typically extending between said apical regions of the opposed shoulders to a lower edge, with said lower edge being connectable or connected to the base. In a preferred embodiment, said lower edge and said base are uniformly formed.

The rear wall typically comprises one or more connection members to connect said rear wall to said shield, for example, when said shield overlies said rear wall.

In one embodiment, the flexible hinge can be formed in the main body of the shield at or adjacent said one edge of said shield. The one edge of the shield can be connected to the rear wall. In this embodiment, the rear wall comprises a plurality of openings formed adjacent to said upper edge of the rear wall. Said openings are configured to receive and hold therein, shield tab members of the shield. Furthermore, the rear wall may further include retaining tabs which each depend from a first end connected to or integral with said rear wall and through at least part of said apertures to a free end. The shield tabs may be made from a relatively harder material than the retaining tabs of the rear wall so that, as the shield tabs are inserted through the openings, they cause the retaining tabs to flex to thereby accommodate the shield tabs in the openings.

The shield tabs typically comprise an elongate body extending from a fixed end, connected to or integral with the main body of the shield, to a free end. A portion of the shield tabs adjacent the free ends may have an increased diameter relative to the remainder of the tab. In one embodiment, the free end may form a hook or a flange component.

The shield tabs adjacent the one edge of the main body of the shield are extendible through the openings of the rear wall as described above. The retaining tabs of the rear wall are sufficiently substantially resiliently flexible such that they are each flexed by the shield tab to allow it to pass through the opening. Because the free ends of the shield tabs typically have a greater diameter than the remainder of the shield tab, said increased diameter causes a greater force against the retaining tab thus causing it to flex to a greater extent and allow passage of the retaining tab through the opening. The shield tabs lock in place within the opening when the hook or flange of the shield tab travels beyond the free end of the retaining tab. The abutment of retaining tab free end and the hook or flange typically holds the shield tab within the opening.

With the shield being lockable in place overlying the rear wall of the closure, the device provides a low profile closure for packaging. Furthermore the rear wall may be relatively concave such that the shield, when connected to the rear wall, is slightly recessed from the shoulders of the closure. Such features advantageously protect the shield from damage with the shoulders taking the brunt of any blows to the closure. This is important as if the shield was damaged and thus not able to close, the waste container immediately becomes a hazard on the basis that it is filled with contaminated and/or sharp objects.

The closure can further comprise a handle. The handle can extend from the first component of the rim of the closure. It can be substantially U-shaped. Initially, the handle can extend outwardly from the first component, for example at or about 90°. In use, the handle can be movable relatively downwardly about its join with the first component and be clipped by frictional engagement to the outer wall of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the handle after being moved can frictionally engage with a complementary protrusion member or members formed on the outer surface of the receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of a waste container10is shown in the accompanying drawings. The waste container10comprises various parts including a receptacle11having a flat base wall (not visible) and a side wall12extending upwardly from the base wall. The base wall and side wall can be formed as one part from one or more suitable materials, for example, a plastics material. The depicted receptacle is substantially rectangular in cross-section, however, it will be appreciated that the receptacle could have other cross-sectional shapes from that depicted.

The side wall defines an opening in the receptacle which again is not visible in the drawings due to the presence of the closure13that is securely connected to the top of the receptacle11.

Closure13comprises a base14and a support15extending upwardly from the base. The support15defines a front opening16and further comprises a rear wall17.

Tray18is counter-balanced and pivotally connected to support15and comprises a shelf19and a guard21which is positioned relatively inferior to said shelf19.

When waste is placed on shelf19, the weight of the waste causes relatively rearward rotation of the tray18around pivot pins76so leading to the waste being deposited into the receptacle11. Such rotation of the tray18also exposes the guard21which acts as a barrier to block the front opening16.

Closure13also comprises a shield23which has a main body24extending from one edge25to a free edge26. The shield has an upper surface27and a lower surface28. Shield23is connected to support15and is moveable between an open position in which it can be tethered to rear wall17of the closure and a closed position in which shield23covers opening16.

The movement of shield23is achieved by pivoting of the shield around flexible living hinge30. As depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7, the living hinge30is formed in the main body24of the shield adjacent the one edge25.

Base14comprises a rim31around its periphery to receive at least part of the receptacle11therein.

Side wall12of receptacle11comprises a plurality of substantially equally spaced and substantially horizontally disposed protrusions35which are relatively receivable within complementary apertures37of outer wall36of the rim31.

Protrusions35each have an upper sloped surface38and extend substantially horizontally to an apex39. As shown, the apex39is squared off or flattened to provide a relatively planar outer surface41. As the closure13is relatively lowered over receptacle11, edge42of rim31slides over upper sloped surfaces38. The outer wall36is sufficiently resiliently flexible to flex out along the sloped surface38and over the protrusions35. As the edge42moves beyond the respective upper sloped surfaces38and also beyond the planar apices41, outer wall36of rim31resiliently snaps back against the sidewall of the receptacle such as to house the protrusions35within apertures37. Protrusions35protrude through the apertures37when the closure13is locked in place onto receptacle11.

Closure13also comprises a pair of shoulders43. The pair of shoulders43are parallel and opposed relative to one another to define the lateral boundaries of opening16.

Rear wall17extends between the shoulders43and defines a rear edge of opening16. To this extent, rear wall17extends from an upper edge44to a lower edge45(seeFIG. 8). Lower edge45and the base14are unitarily formed such that there is a relatively smooth join between the two.

Rear wall17is also moulded as one piece with shoulders43. Upper edge44spans shoulders43at a region close to the apex of each shoulder. Additionally, rear wall17comprises a concave portion46from which a planar portion47depends. Planar portion47extends from concave portion to the join of the rear wall17with base14and is essentially perpendicular to base14. As shown inFIG. 1, there is a connection bar29molded between rear wall17and rim31. Connection bar29adds to the strength of the closure along said rear portion.

Rear wall17comprises a series of apertures48adjacent upper edge44. Apertures48relatively receive shield tabs49. As can be seen inFIGS. 2,6and7, shield tabs49comprise an elongate body51which extend from the one edge25of shield23to a free end52. Free end52comprises a latch or hook component53which extends from the elongate body51to provide an area of increased diameter of shield tab49. The latch component53comprises a cam surface54for abutment with a depending tab55of rear wall17.

Depending tabs55each depend from a first end56connected to or integral with rear wall17to an engagement end57.

Shield23and rear wall17are connected together through engagement of cam surface54with engagement end57of depending tab55. Such interconnection allows a snap-fit arrangement of shield23to rear wall17.

Shield23extends from the one edge25(connected to the rear wall as described above) to free edge26. Living hinge30is located adjacent one edge25.FIG. 7shows the shield23in its open position where it depends from one edge25and overlies rear wall17to free edge26(visible inFIG. 2). Shield23is held in this open position by accommodation of retaining tab58on said rear wall17relatively within receiving recess59formed in lower surface28of shield23. While the engagement of retaining tab58in receiving recess59is sufficient to hold the shield against the rear wall during use, the engagement may be overcome and the shield released from the rear wall by a user simply lifting the shield23away from the rear wall17.

Once the engagement between the receiving tab58and retaining recess59is released, the shield23can be pivoted about living hinge30and towards the closed position wherein shield23covers front opening16as seen inFIGS. 11aand11b.

Shield23further includes two opposed lips60(seeFIG. 4) which project laterally from the shield23. Lips60are substantially arcuate and engage a complementary surface of the shoulders43. This engagement between lips60and shoulders43further stabilises and secures the shield43in relation to the support, particularly as the shield is moved between its open and closed positions.

Shield23comprises snap fit tabs61which extend from free edge26. Snap fit tabs61are relatively received in complementary snap fit notches62of the support15. Said snap fit notches62are formed between base14and a proximal wall63of support15. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the snap fit tabs61form hooked ends64which engage with flanges65which extend from base14into snap fit notches62. The flanges65and hooked ends64may be in engagement or, as shown inFIG. 9, the flanges65may extend into a U-shaped recess69formed by the hooked ends64. In this case, release of shield23from proximal wall63is not possible by simply lifting the shield upwardly as depicted by arrow A as such lifting would bring shoulder66of hooked end64into abutment with the underside of flange65.

Proximal wall63extends from a first end71(adjacent one shoulder43) to a second end72(adjacent the other shoulder43) to define a front boundary of opening16spanning between shoulders43. Proximal wall63extends upwardly for a height sufficient to provide said snap fit notches62whilst not occluding the opening to the extent that disposal of waste would be compromised.

Proximal wall63(seeFIG. 9) does not extend beyond proximal face165of each shoulder43(as shown inFIG. 10). In this way, the connection area of shield23and support15is protected against damage when shield23is closed and snap-fitted over the opening16which in turn reduces the chance of inadvertent opening should the container10be subject to a knock or bang. Force applied to the closure will be typically cushioned by shoulders43.

In addition to providing said snap fit notches62, the proximal wall63comprises at least one inwardly sloping lip68extending from an upper edge74. The sloping lip68is positioned at or adjacent either or both of the first end71or second end72of proximal wall63to provide a stopper for tray18, that is, tray18abuts with the fixed sloping lip and cannot pivot proximally beyond said lip when in its waste receiving position.

As depicted inFIGS. 3 and 10, the closure10further comprise a substantially U-shaped handle5that extends from the rim31of the closure10. As depicted inFIGS. 11aand11b, initially, the handle5can extend outwardly from the first component, for example at or about 90°. In use, the handle5can be movable relatively downwardly about its join with the rim31and be clipped by frictional engagement with the complementary protrusion members6formed on to the front of the side wall12of the receptacle11.

To improve waste, disposal success rate, the rotation of the tray18must be sensitive to the weight of waste placed thereon. To achieve this, shoulders43comprise opposed hinge apertures75(seeFIGS. 12aand12b) to receive pivot pins76which extend from sidewalls77of the tray18. Pins76are substantially cylindrical and are configured to extend through said hinge apertures75. The pins76roll within the hinge apertures75as waste is placed on tray18thus allowing the tray18to rotate relatively inwardly of the container10and for the waste to fall into receptacle11. To further enhance the sensitivity of the tray rotation, hinge apertures75comprise a lower surface78which has a substantially flat base portion79extending to a second, sloped planar surface81. As each pin76rolls within a corresponding hinge aperture75in the direction depicted by Arrow C (seeFIG. 12b), the flat base79and the second sloped planar surface81act to reduce the contact of the pin76against said lower surface78of the aperture to thereby reduce friction and drag, which in turn increases the tray sensitivity to lighter wastes.

The design of the closure10is such that the tray cannot be readily disassembled once constructed. Particularly, it is evident from the Figures, pivot pins76are recessed within shoulders43, making it almost impossible, if not impossible, for a user to introduce a hand or other object to disconnect said pivot pins76and release tray18.

Tray18comprises two substantially planar shelf portions19a,19b, which are angled relative to one another. The tray18has a first edge85, a second edge86and two side edges77. Tray18has an upper surface88and a lower surface89. Guard21depends from lower surface89at a region adjacent proximal edge85. Guard21is dimensioned such that it does not span the entire underside of tray18. Rather, the shelf portions19a,19bextend beyond the guard21at lateral regions87aand87bto form opposed abutment regions to abut with inwardly sloping lip68as described above.

Guard21is a substantially arcuate and ribbed solid member with opposed side flanges84(see for exampleFIGS. 5 and 11a) which provide stability to tray18.

As waste is placed on the shelf surface portions19a,19b, the weight of the waste causes tray18to pivot around pivot points76as described above. Tray18pivots in a direction towards rear wall17so causing the waste to slide off the tray through the gap created between the tray and the downwardly extending guard member7and so fall into receptacle11below. As tray18pivots it moves from a substantially receiving orientation to a depositing configuration as shown by comparingFIGS. 11aand11b.

Tray18moves from a receiving configuration substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container to a depositing configuration substantially parallel with axis. Movement beyond the depositing configuration ofFIG. 11bis prevented by abutment of a region of first edge85with shoulder91formed on an inner surface of shoulders43.

The counterbalance caused by the positioning of the guard21causes tray18to return to its first receiving configuration once the weight of the waste material is removed.

When receptacle11fills with waste, the waste will block the movement of the tray18in the full depositing configuration (FIG. 11b). At this stage, a user may release shield23from rear wall17, and move it about its living hinge such that it covers opening16. Shield23is then secured in place over opening16as discussed above.

The movement of tray18is entirely independent of the movement of shield23.