Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040163981?dq=6,263,507
Timestamp: 2017-01-16 16:19:48
Document Index: 616885732

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 12', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Patent US20040163981 - Waste container, particularly biohazard bin for collecting medical waste - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsIn a hazardous waste collection container, particularly for medical waste, comprising a top part with a discard opening and a discard opening lid for opening and closing the discard opening, the discard opening lid comprises a retaining element and a closure element which is releasably engaged within...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040163981?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040163981 - Waste container, particularly biohazard bin for collecting medical wasteAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS20040163981 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/783,876Publication dateAug 26, 2004Filing dateFeb 20, 2004Priority dateFeb 22, 2003Also published asDE10307773A1, DE502004006540D1, EP1449556A2, EP1449556A3, EP1449556B1, US6997313Publication number10783876, 783876, US 2004/0163981 A1, US 2004/163981 A1, US 20040163981 A1, US 20040163981A1, US 2004163981 A1, US 2004163981A1, US-A1-20040163981, US-A1-2004163981, US2004/0163981A1, US2004/163981A1, US20040163981 A1, US20040163981A1, US2004163981 A1, US2004163981A1InventorsJoachim RiglingOriginal AssigneeJoachim RiglingExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (3), Referenced by (17), Classifications (14), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetWaste container, particularly biohazard bin for collecting medical waste
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0030] The waste container of which only the top is shown in the figures has a volumetric capacity of, for example, 5 or 7 liters. It includes a lower container part 1, which becomes narrower toward the bottom end thereof and a container top part 2, which becomes narrower toward the top end thereof. Both the lower and the top parts have an essentially square cross-section. They are firmly joined by a locking structure such that they sealed together and cannot be disconnected. To permit disposal of the container including its content by combustion, the container consists of a suitable plastic material. [0031] The lower container part 1 is provided at opposite sides with handles 3 so that it can easily be carried during the time in which it is used for discarding hazardous waste. [0032] On the top of the container top part 2, which has a top side edge length of for example 13 cm, a flat recess 10 is provided which, for an optimal size with regard to the square container top, has an elliptical shape. The recess 10 then extends over the full width of the container top part 2 and, in the front of the container, is disposed close to the front edge of the container. At the opposite side, the elliptical opening is extended rearwardly by a rectangular extension 11 beyond the center of the top part of the container. The side wall 12 of the recess 10 is inclined inwardly so that the cross-section of the recess 10 narrows downwardly. [0033] At the base of the elliptical recess 10, an elliptical discard opening 20 is provided which has a cross-section that is, only slightly smaller than that of the recess 10. It forms a rim 21 with an essentially U-shaped seat structure 22 which extends around the opening 20 (see FIGS. 2, 6). [0034] As shown more clearly in the sectional views of FIGS. 2, 4, 6, in the elliptical area of the recess 10, the outer leg 23 of the seat 22 is inclined in adaptation to the locking tongues 33 of the closing collar 32, which are also inclined so as to form conical engagement areas. The structure is formed as a downward extension of the inwardly inclined side wall 12 of the recess 10. The area of the rectangular extension 11 is formed by a corresponding deformation of the bottom wall 13 of the extension 11. [0035] At the inside of the outer leg 23 of the U-shaped seat structure 22, an inwardly projecting locking lip 24 is provided on the upper rim which is disposed at the level of the bottom of the flat recess 10 or, respectively, the top surface of the bottom 13 of the rectangular extension 11. At this upper end of the shorter inner leg 25 of the U-shaped seat structure 22, an inwardly projecting reinforcement rib 26 is provided. [0036] As shown in FIG. 1 at the right end of the discard opening 20, a bridge segment 27 extends across the discard opening 20. The bridge segment 27 includes cut-outs 28 and 29 shaped for drawing off injection needles and for unscrewing needle holders from syringe bodies. [0037] For the temporary closing of the discard opening 20 (see FIGS. 3, 4), a discard opening lid 30 is provided which is adapted in its shape to the elliptical shape of the recess 30 or, respectively the rim 21 of the discard opening 20 and which consists of two parts. One part is a plate-like closure element 31, which is curved upwardly toward the center thereof for stabilization purposes for closing the discard opening 20. It is slightly smaller than the discard opening 20 and is provided with a closure collar 32 extending rectangularly downwardly from its circumferential edge. The inner diameter of the closure collar 32 and the outer diameter of the ring formed by the inner leg 25 of the seat 22 are adapted to each other. [0038] At the outer circumference, the closure collar 32 is provided with spaced locking tongues 33 for locking the closure member 31 in a position in which the discard opening 20 is finally closed within the seat 22. The locking tongues 33 are arranged at a small distance from the lower edge of the closure collar 32 and extend upwardly close to the level of the upper outer edge of the closure member 31 at such an angle that they are elastically spaced from the closure collar 32 and engage the closure member 31. [0039] The other part of the discard opening lid 30 is a retaining element 34, which has a height corresponding to the depth of the recess 10 and frame-like surrounds the closure element 31. It includes a circumferential wall section 35, which is inclined corresponding to the inclined tongues 33 of the closure member 31 so that its cross-section decreases from the upper to the lower end thereof that is its circumferential wall is inclined inwardly providing for an inwardly directed wall section 35. [0040] At its upper edge, the retaining element 34 is provided at the inside thereof, with an inwardly projecting engagement lip 36 and at the outer circumference, it is provided with a circumferential reinforcement shoulder 37. [0041] The discard opening lid 30 is formed by inserting the closure element 31 from above into the retaining element 34. During this step, the locking tongues 33 slide along the engagement lip 36 of the retaining element 34 and are pressed toward the closure collar 32 and then snap into an engagement position as shown in FIG. 4, in which they abut, under tension, the inlined wall section 35 of the retaining element 34. The edge of their free ends then abuts the underside of the engagement lip 36. In this way, the closure element 31 is prevented from being accidentally released from the retaining element 34 as it is engaged at its opposite sides in the retaining element 34. [0042] The retaining element 34 is pivotally supported on the upper container part 2 by way of two support arms 38, which extend therefrom at one side. The support arms 38 are formed each by two spaced support webs which are pivotally mounted to support noses 39 extending upwardly from the bottom 13 of the extension 11 of the recess 10 up to the level of the top side of the container cover part 12. The support arms 38 are engaged by the support noses 39 such that the discard opening lid 30 is pivotable about an axis which is parallel to the top side of the upper container part 2. [0043] For a temporary closure of the discard opening 20 by covering the opening 20 for example during a pause in the use of the container, the discard opening lid 30 is pivoted to its closed position, that is, it is pivoted from the position as shown in FIGS. 1 or 2, down into the position as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. It is then disposed in the recess 10 (FIG. 4), which is surrounded by the side wall 12 of the recess 10 and is protected thereby from damaging influences from without. The lid is then disposed with a narrow outer section of the lower edge of the retaining element 34 on the locking lip 24 which projects radially outwardly at the upper end of outer leg 23 of the U-shaped seat 22. In this position, the upper edge of the retaining element 34 extends essentially in the same plane as the upper edge of the elliptical recess 10 so that it does not project upwardly from the recess 10. [0044] With the inwardly inclined side wall 12 of the recess 10, the discard opening lid 30 is centered when pivoted into the elliptical opening 20 by the wall section of the retaining element 34, whose circumferential outer wall is also inclined (FIGS. 3, 4). [0045] For locking the discard opening lid 30 in this position in which it temporarily closes the discard opening, a locking recess 40 with an outwardly pivotable locking member 41 including a locking notch 42 at the inside thereof (FIG. 2, 6) is provided in the upper front edge of the container top part 2. When the discard opening lid 30 (FIG. 3) is pivoted down into the recess 10 a lock shackle 43 which extends outwardly from the retaining element 34 is engaged by the locking notch 42 to hold the discard opening lid 30 in its closed position. Other retaining structure however may be provided. [0046] In this temporary closing position (FIGS. 3, 4), the discard opening lid 30 is disposed in the recess 10 and is surrounded by the side wall 12 such that it does not project upwardly from the top surface of the upper container part 2. it can therefore not easily be grasped for opening even when the lock shackle 43 is released from the locking member 41. So that it can still be easily pivoted to an open position a spring, for example a leg spring, may be provided at the pivot joint of at least one of the support arms 38 of the discard opening lid 30. This spring is tensioned when the lid 30 is closed. When the locking member 41 is pulled forwardly and the lock shackle 43 is released from the locking notch 42, the lid 30 moves automatically to its open position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which position it is held by the spring. Then, waste can be deposited in the container without the lid possibly closing by itself. [0047] Such a spring-loaded opening mechanism for the discard opening lid 30 makes the use of the container not only more convenient but also safer: Because opening and closing of the lid 30 is simplified the persons using the waste container may open the lid with each use and close it thereafter so that the container remains closed most of the time. [0048] For the final closing of the discard opening 20 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7), the closure element 31 is, with the lid 30 closed, that is, with the discard opening lid 30 in a locked position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, pushed down with the thumbs of both hands. At this point, the retaining element 34, which is centered in the recess 10 by the inclined side walls 12 of the recess 10 is supported at its lower edge by the locking lip 24. Upon forcing the closure member 31 downwardly, the locking tongues 33, by which the closure member 31 is held in the retaining element 34, are pressed toward the collar 32 and the closure member is released thereby from the retaining element 34 and is moved downwardly out of the retaining element 34. [0049] Then successively, the closure collar 32 of the closure member 31 moves guided by the locking tongues 33 into the circumferential seat structure 22, which is in the form of a groove. Upon reaching its predetermined end position in the groove, the locking tongues 33 snap outwardly below the locking lip 24 at the edge of the outer leg 23 of the seat structure 22 and, in this way, hold the closure element 31 irreversibly in the seat structure 22 at the bottom of the recess 10 (FIGS. 5, 6). [0050] To this end, the inner leg 25 of the seat structure 22 is somewhat shorter than the outer leg 23 in adaptation to the material thickness of the closure member 31. In the final locked position, the closure member 31 is disposed in the recess 10 with its upper edge at the level of the edge 21 of the discard opening so that it is well protected from manipulations. With the closure member 31 being level with the well bottom of the recess 10, it is also apparent that the container is permanently closed and can no longer be opened. [0051] The base of the seat structure 22 may include a gasket cooperating with the lower edge of the closure collar 32 for tightly sealing the closure member 31 in the discard opening 20. A seal however may also be provided by the closure collar 32, which is spring-biased by the locking tongues 33 with the inner side thereof into engagement with the wall of the leg 25 of the seat structure 22. [0052] With the position of the closure member 31 lowered in the discard opening, when it is in its final closing position at the bottom of the recess 10 as compared with a position level with the top wall of the upper container part 2, it is immediately indicated that the container is ready for disposition. [0053] This situation can be accentuated or clearly signaled by pivoting the then empty retaining element upwardly to the position as shown in FIG. 7. This can simply be done by actuating the locking member 41 (FIG. 5), whereby the retaining element 34 is pivoted into an upright position by the release spring. If the retaining element 34 is sufficiently strong, it may even be used in this position for conveniently carrying a filled container. [0054] With the concept of providing the discard opening lid 30 of a waste collection and disposition container in the form of a two-part member with a retaining element 34 and a closure member 31, which can be released from the retaining element 31 for the final closure of the waste container, a closure structure can be provided by which the discard opening 20 of the container can be temporarily closed and when filled can be irreversibly closed. When irreversibly closed, the closure member 31 is in a lowered position in the upper part of the container 2 and, by its position, indicates readily that the container is filled and ready for disposition. This situation can additionally signaled by pivoting the retaining element, which is then empty, into a noticeable upstanding position. Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5507408 *Oct 5, 1993Apr 16, 1996Sage Products, Inc.Disposal container with locking closureUS5823340 *Feb 28, 1995Oct 20, 1998Nordpunkt AgSterilization containerUS5829588 *Mar 27, 1995Nov 3, 1998Bloomfield; Lawrence MichaelSharps container* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7660724Feb 4, 2008Feb 9, 2010Vesta Medical, LlcWaste sorting system utilizing removable linersUS7664656Feb 5, 2008Feb 16, 2010Mallett Scott RMethod of sorting waste utilizing removable linersUS8038025 *Aug 7, 2008Oct 18, 2011Becton, Dickinson And CompanyMedical waste container hinged lidUS8195328Feb 4, 2008Jun 5, 2012Vesta Medical, LlcCombination disposal and dispensing apparatus and methodUS8204620Feb 5, 2008Jun 19, 2012Vesta Medical, LlcMethod for combined disposal and dispensing of medical itemsUS8296243Feb 12, 2010Oct 23, 2012Vesta Medical, LlcSystems for identifying and categorizing medical wasteUS8355994Jul 31, 2007Jan 15, 2013Vesta Medical LlcSorting system for composite drugsUS8560460Jul 13, 2009Oct 15, 2013Carefusion 303, Inc.Automated waste sorting systemUS8595021Mar 3, 2010Nov 26, 2013Carefusion 303, Inc.Methods for identifying and categorizing medical wasteUS8868434Aug 20, 2007Oct 21, 2014Carefusion 303, Inc.Waste sorting and disposal method using labelsUS20070278140 *Aug 20, 2007Dec 6, 2007Vesta Medical, LlcRestricted access waste sorting systemUS20070293979 *Jul 31, 2007Dec 20, 2007Vesta Medical, LlcMethod of sorting composite drugsUS20080021722 *Jul 20, 2007Jan 24, 2008Vesta Medical, LlcWaste sorting method with self-identifying containersUS20080237092 *Jul 20, 2007Oct 2, 2008Vesta Medical, LlcWaste sorting system with query function, and method thereofUS20100032441 *Aug 7, 2008Feb 11, 2010Stark Kenneth OMedical Waste Container Hinged LidEP2151210A2 *Aug 3, 2009Feb 10, 2010Becton, Dickinson and CompanyMedical waste container hinged lidEP2151210A3 *Aug 3, 2009Mar 25, 2015Becton Dickinson and CompanyMedical waste container hinged lid* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification206/364International ClassificationA61B19/02, A61M5/32Cooperative ClassificationA61M5/3205, A61B50/37, A61B2050/009, A61B2050/3011, A61B50/362, A61B2050/0083, A61B2050/0056, A61B2050/006European ClassificationA61M5/32C, A61B19/02R2, A61B19/02R8Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 6, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jul 17, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services