A SYSTEM OF HARDWARE FOR THE COLLECTION OF HOSPITAL REFUSE

Abstract: Hospital refuse is collected utilizing a system of metal containers (1) with vertical side walls, each with a hermetically sealable lid (3); the containers can be stacked, and are used singly in conjunction with a trolley (12) featuring a frame bent from a single length of tube, which serves to move the open container (1), together with its lid (3), from one location to another.

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for the collection of hospital refuse, comprising a container, the base and lid of which are embodied with matching profiles that fit together when a number of containers are stacked one on top of another in such a way as to create a recess between the base of one container and the lid of a container beneath, for the accomodation of handle associated with the lid and comprising fasteners that serve to clamp and retain the lid against the top edge of the relative container hermetically. It is well known that the accumulation, collection and disposal of hospital refuse is a cycle beset by particular problems, in as much as steps must be taken throughout the entire handling process to avoid any risk of illness through infection. Detailed Legal directives exist stating that refuse of this nature should be collected in containers having a prescribed strength, and a fastening system such as can guarantee that their contents will not be spilled accidentally. In compliance with there requirements, the current practise is to manufacture disposable containers in self-extinguishing material (plasticated cardboard or suitably formulated resins), which can be sealed hermetically and are destroyed together with their contents by incineration. Containers of the type in question are generally easily stacked, as the section of the base of the single container is smaller than that of its lid and because the base and lid of containers embodies matching profiles that fit together when a number of containers are stacked one on another as to create a recess, positioned between the base of one container and a lid of a container beneath for the accomodation of handle normally associated with the lid. An embodiment is known, in which said containers also comprising fastening systems that are embodied in the container and in its lid in such a way, after the accumulation of refuse and closing of container, this one can open only by rupture of its parts. This, of course, permits to use the container once only (see DE-A-3 505 892). A first, serious drawback encountered with this conventional type of embodiment is that, whatever the individual design and the material utilized in construction, the efficiency of the hermetic seal at least for the containers which are fabricated by plasticated cardboard, is generally not such as to ensure a faultlessly tight fit, especially in the event of the container being overturned. A second drawback stems from the fact that the use of disposable containers has an effect of increasing the workload on incineration centres, and tends also to flout the ecological principle, by now widely accepted in most developed countries, that waste attributable to the use of disposable wrappings and containers should be curbed. A third drawback with disposable type containers, affecting collection and disposal operations, is that they are fashioned from a material of limited strength, which in turn limits their capacity, and do not stack to best possible advantage in terms of exploiting available space, by reason of the base being smaller in section than the lid. A fourth drawback derives from the amount of energy required to incinerate disposable containers; in effect, this becomes yet another loss, in terms of cost, incurred in the overall process of handling hospital refuse. It is also known that exist cylindrical metal containers comprising covers, that are combined with carts for their transportation. The main drawback of said containers consists in that they are not stacking one on top of another. Moreover the supporting carts are made by interconnected beam elements having several shapes and sizes that make their production very expensive (see US-A-2 667 320). Accordingly, the object of the invention is one of overcoming all the drawbacks mentioned above, thus rendering the operations of collecting and disposing of special refuse more economical, whilst observing health and hygiene regulations to the letter and safeguarding the environment. The stated object is realized, comprehensively, with an apparatus as characterized in the appended claims, which comprises a special container fashioned from steel, hence reusable, and a relative trolley; the structure of containers according to the invention is optimized from the point of view of stacking, fully in line with health and hygiene regulations, and advantageous ecologically and economically; moreover, the use of steel permits of obtaining a highly efficient hermetic seal. A further advantage of the invention is that there are no emission problems, and no losses incurred by waste. The fact the containers are reusable evidently dictates the necessity for a washing, disinfection and sterilization process, though when compared to a system using disposable containers, the overall cost of such an operation, in terms of energy per unit weight of refuse destroyed, is far lower, and it is thus the case that containers embodied according to the invention are the more economical. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: fig 1 is a perspective of the invention, viewed in its entirety; fig 2 is a perspective showing certain details of the embodiment of the single container that permit of stacking containers one on top of another; fig 3 shows certain of the details illustrated in fig 2, viewed in section taken through the axis of the container. Referring to figs 1 and 2, it will be seen that the invention substantially comprises: a container 1 of cylindrical shape fashioned in metal, preferably stainless steel, which exhibits a base 2 and a lid 3 with matching profiles and is capable of being hermetically sealed; a trolley 12 designed for easy transportation both of the container 1, open and ready for use, and of its lid 3. The base 2 of the container 1 is embodied with a central concave section 19a of frusto-conical shape surrounded by a flat peripheral band 20a (see figs 2 and 3). In like fashion, the lid 3 of the container exhibits a central convex section 19b that is insertable into the concave section 19a of the base 2 of another container; thus, when several containers are stacked on top of one other, there is no risk of any single one sliding away at right angles to its axis. 4 denotes a recess formed in the central section 19b of the lid 3 to accommodate a handle, denoted 5; the dimensions of the recess 4 will be such as to ensure that the handle 5 is freely encompassed, thereby avoiding any possible contact with the base 2 of a container that may be stacked above. In like manner to the base 2 of the container, the central section 19b of the lid 3 is surrounded by a flat peripheral band 20b designed to breast with the flat peripheral band 20a offered by the base 2 of a container; the lid also presents an outer rim 10 of polygonal section which is positioned lower than the band 20b, such that when the containers are stacked, a peripheral void 6 is created in combination with the band 20a of the base 2 of the container above (see fig 3), affording access for the fitment of fasteners 7 that serve to clamp and retain the lid 3 against the top edge 8 of the container in a fully hermetic fit. The fasteners 7 appear in the example illustrated as clips with uncinate ends that engage positively at any given point in a peripheral circular groove 33 afforded by the top of the lid 3. The outer rim 10 of the lid exhibits a cross section of 'L' shape, the horizontal member 21 of which is masked entirely on both faces by a single rubber seal 9; the seal also covers the vertical member 22 of the 'L', but extends farther over its internal face than over its external face, in order to ensure a fully hermetic fit when the lid is secured to the container by remaining compressed between the rim 10 and the top edge 8, which is suitably flared to the same purpose. Given the embodiment of the fasteners 7, and their uniform distribution around the periphery of the container 1, there will be no risk of the contents of the container spilling out, even in the event of the container itself becoming overturned. The container 1 is further provided with carrying handles 31 at either side, for easy lifting and stacking. The trolley 12, illustrated in fig 1, is fashioned in metal from a single length of hollow section, bent in such a way as to create: two horizontal rails 13 at bottom, interconnected by cross braces 14 and serving as a platform for the base 2 of the container; two uprights 15 that rise together, vertically at first, then angled to the rear, before converging ultimately and joining to create a horizontal cross rail 16 that serves as a handlebar. The trolley 12 further comprises a cage element 17 located above and attached rigidly to the horizontal rails 13, which is circular to match the shape of the container 1, and serves to inhibit transverse movement of a container when on the platform. The vertical stretches of the two uprights 15 are interconnected transversely by a bar 18 that is bent in such a way as to combine with the uprights 15 in creating a holder for the lid 3; it will be seen from fig 1, in fact, that the internal surface 3a and the external surface 3b of the lid are checked on either side.

Claims: 1. An apparatus for the collection of hospital refuse, comprising in combination a container (1), the base (2) and lid (3) of which are embodied with matching profiles that fit together when a number of containers are stacked one on top of another in such a way as to create a recess (4) between the base (2) of one container (1) and the lid (3) of a container (1) beneath, for the accomodation of handle (5) associated with the lid (3); fasteners (7) that serve to clamp and retain the lid (3) against the top edge (8) of the relative container (1) hermetically; said apparatus characterized in that it also comprises in combination a peripheral void (6), positioned between the lid (3) and the base (2) of the container (1) stacked just above and created by said matching profiles along the outer rim (10) of the lid (3), which is specially profiled and is positioned lower than the areas of contact of the lid (3) and the base (2), the peripheral void (6) affording access for the fitment of said fasteners (7); a seal (9) that acts in combination with the outer rim (10) of the lid (3) and the fasteners (7) to ensure the hermetic seal of the container (1): a trolley (12) for transportation of the container (1), fabricated from a single length of hollow section material bent in such a way as to create two horizontal rails (13) at bottom interconnected by cross braces (14) and serving as a platform for the base (2) of the container (1), and two uprights (15) that rise to a given height, vertically at first, then angled to the rear, before converging and joining to create a horizontal cross rail (16) that serve as a handlebar, and comprising a cage (17) element located above and attached rigidly to the horizontal rails (13), which matches the shape of the container (1) and serves to inhibit any transverse movement of a container (1) occupying the platform, and a transversely disposed bar (18) that interconnects the vertical stretches of the uprights (15) and is bent in such a way that the bar and the uprights (15) create a holder for the lid (3) by supporting its internal surface (3a) on the one hand, and its external surface (3b) on the other. 2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the outer rim (10) of the lid exhibits a cross section of 'L' shape, the horizontal member (21) of which is masked entirely on both faces by a single rubber seal (9) that also covers the vertical member (22) of the 'L', extending farther over the internal face than over the external in such a way as to produce a hermetic action on fitment of the lid by remaining compressed between the rim (10) and the top edge (8) of the container (1), which is suitably flared to the end of ensuring the hermetic sealing action. 3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the lid (3) of the container (1) affords an upward facing circular peripheral groove (33) designed to accommodate the uncinate ends of the fasteners (7).

Inventors: MENGOZZI, ENZO
Applicants: MENGOZZI S.R.L.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65D1
IPC codes: B65F1, B62B3, B65D21