Abstract:
A container configured to dispense and dispose medical implements comprising a body portion and a hood portion extending from the body portion and at least partially defining an access opening. In a first orientation the container is configured to collect soiled medical implements through the access opening of the hood portion and the body portion of the container is configured to contain the soiled medical implements. In a second orientation the container is configured to dispense medical implements through the access opening of the hood portion and the body portion of the container is configured to contain the medical implements. The hood portion is oriented to limit the unintentional escapement of medical implements from the body portion and the access opening is positioned for passage of medical implements from the body portion. The second orientation of the container is inverted with respect to the first orientation of the container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a distribution and collection system for medical implements.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In a hospital, doctor&#39;s office or home environment setting, soiled syringes or other medical implements are commonly deposited in a disposal container following their use. Unused, sterile syringes or other medical implements are commonly obtained from a source separate from the disposal-container. It is somewhat inconvenient at times, however, to provide a source of unused, sterile medical implements and a separate container for collecting the soiled medical implements following their use. In other words, it is sometimes disadvantageous from a convenience standpoint for medical practitioners to have one location from which implements are obtained and a separate location in which implements are disposed of.  
         [0003]     Attempts have been made to overcome this inconvenience. For example, improved syringe dispensing and collecting systems for personal use are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,394, which illustrates a syringe dispensing and collecting system comprising a cylindrical container having a sterile hypodermic needle storage chamber and a separate soiled hypodermic needle collection chamber. The storage chamber is maintained in an outer peripheral region of the cylindrical container and the collection chamber is maintained in a central region of the cylindrical container. The storage chamber and the collection chamber are separated by an inner cylindrical wall. A telescoping cover mounted to the top of the container defines an opening configured to accept a soiled hypodermic needle. An outer wall of the container provides an outlet opening for the passage of sterile hypodermic needles from the storage chamber.  
         [0004]     Nevertheless, there continues to be a need to further develop and improve disposal and collection devices for medical implements.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     According to an aspect of the invention a medical implement dispensing and disposal system is configured for mounting within an interior of an enclosure having a first opening for receiving soiled medical implements and a second opening for dispensing medical implements. The medical implement dispensing and disposal system comprises a dispensing chamber configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure and removed from the interior of the enclosure. The dispensing chamber is configured to contain medical implements and has an access opening for passage of medical implements from the dispensing chamber. The access opening is positioned for alignment with the second opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of medical implements from the enclosure. The medical implement dispensing and disposal system further comprises a disposal chamber configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure adjacent the dispensing chamber and removed from the interior of the enclosure. The disposal chamber is further configured to collect soiled medical implements and has an inlet opening for passage of soiled medical implements into the disposal chamber. The inlet opening is positioned for alignment with the first opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of soiled medical implements into the enclosure. The dispensing chamber and the disposal chamber are each defined by substantially identical containers.  
         [0006]     According to another aspect of the invention, a medical implement dispensing and disposal system comprises an enclosure having an interior. A disposal chamber is positioned within the interior of the enclosure and defines an inlet opening for passage of soiled medical implements into the disposal chamber. A dispensing chamber is positioned within the interior of the enclosure and defines an access opening for passage of medical implements from the dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber and the disposal chamber are each defined by substantially identical containers.  
         [0007]     According to yet another aspect of the invention, an enclosure configured to accommodate a medical implement dispensing and disposal system having a dispensing chamber for dispensing medical implements and a disposal chamber for receiving soiled medical implements wherein the dispensing chamber and the disposal chamber are each defined by substantially identical containers is provided. The enclosure comprises an enclosure body defining an interior configured to receive the medical implement dispensing and disposal system. An inlet opening is defined by the enclosure body, wherein the inlet opening is positioned for passage of soiled medical implements from outside the enclosure body into the disposal chamber within the interior of the enclosure body. An access opening is defined by the enclosure body, wherein the access opening is positioned for passage of medical implements from within the dispensing chamber within the interior of the enclosure body.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the invention provides a container configured to dispense and dispose medical implements comprising a body portion, a hood portion extending from the body portion and an access opening formed at least partially in the hood portion. In a first orientation, the container is configured to collect soiled medical implements through the access opening of the hood portion and the body portion of the container is configured to contain soiled medical implements. In a second orientation, the container is configured to dispense medical implements through the access opening of the hood portion. The body portion of the container is configured to contain the medical implements, the hood portion is oriented to limit the unintentional escapement of medical implements from the body portion, and the access opening is positioned for passage of medical implements from the body portion. The second orientation of the container is inverted with respect to the first orientation of the container.  
         [0009]     According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for dispensing and disposing of medical implements. The method includes the step of positioning a container containing unused medical implements in an enclosure in a first orientation configured to dispense the medical implements from the enclosure. The container is reoriented from the first orientation in the enclosure to a second orientation in the enclosure configured to receive used medical implements for disposal.  
         [0010]     According to still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for providing a medical implement dispensing and disposal system. The method includes the step of providing unused medical implements packaged within a container configured to dispense the unused medical implements in a first orientation and configured to collect used medical implements in a second orientation. An empty container is packaged with the container including unused medical implements, wherein the second container is configured to be oriented in the second orientation. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a medical implement dispensing and disposal system according to an aspect of this invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  mounted within a closed enclosure;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  mounted within an open enclosure;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a medical implement dispensing and disposal system according to an aspect of this invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  mounted within a closed enclosure;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  mounted within an open enclosure;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a medical implement dispensing and disposal system according to an aspect of this invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7  in conjunction with a flip lid;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7  mounted within a closed enclosure; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7  mounted within an open enclosure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.  
         [0023]     The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which shows exemplary embodiments of the invention selected for illustrative purposes. The invention will be illustrated with reference to the figures. Such figures are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting and are included herewith to facilitate the explanation of the present invention.  
         [0024]     As used herein, the term medical implement refers to any commonly consumed device used for medical purposes, such as but not limited to a sharp, syringe, tongue depressor, lancet, scalpel, slide, pipette and the like.  
         [0025]     Referring generally to the figures, a medical implement dispensing and disposal system  100 ,  200 ,  300  according to exemplary aspects of this invention is comprised of a medical implement dispensing container or container portion  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′ defining a dispensing chamber; a soiled medical implement collection container or container portion  110 ,  210 ,  310  defining a collection chamber; and an optional enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  to house both chambers. The collection chamber defined by container  110 ,  210 ,  310  is configured to collect soiled medical implements and includes an inlet  111 ,  211 ,  317  positioned for the passage of the soiled medical implements into the collection container  110 ,  210 ,  310 . The dispensing chamber defined by container  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′ is configured to contain unused medical implements and includes an access opening  129 ,  223 ,  317  positioned for the passage of unused medical implements into the container  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′. The collection chamber defined by the container  110 ,  210 ,  310  and the dispensing chamber defined by the container  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′ are separate from one another to substantially prevent the integration of soiled and unused medical implements.  
         [0026]     The dispensing and collection chambers are housed within the enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  and positioned adjacent to one another. The enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  provides an opening  131 ,  231 ,  331  to access the inlet  111 ,  211 ,  317  of the collection chamber defined by container  110 ,  210 ,  310 . The enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  also provides an opening  132 ,  232 ,  332  to access the access opening  129 ,  223 ,  317  of the dispensing chamber defined by container  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′. The enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  includes a locking door  135 ,  235 ,  335  to inhibit unauthorized access to the dispensing container  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′ and the collection container  110 ,  210 ,  310 .  
         [0027]     Although an enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  is selected for illustration, an enclosure  130 ,  230 ,  330  is an optional component of the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  100 ,  200 ,  300 . A medical implement dispensing and disposal system  100 ,  200 ,  300  may include only a dispensing chamber such as the one defined by the dispensing container  120 ,  220 ,  310 ′ and a collection chamber such as the one defined by the collection container  110 ,  210 ,  310 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 4  and  7 .  
         [0028]     Referring to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , more specifically  FIG. 1 , a medical implement dispensing and disposal system according to one aspect of this invention is generally designated by the numeral  100 . The system  100  includes a collection chamber defined by a collection container  110  and a dispensing chamber defined by a dispensing container  120 . The collection container  110  includes a body portion  118 , a lid  112  and an inlet  111  formed in the lid  112 . The dispensing container  120  includes a body portion  128 , a lid  122 , a chute  123  and an access opening  129 .  
         [0029]     The collection container  110  of the exemplary embodiment is configured to store soiled medical implements. The walls of the collection container  110  define an interior body portion  118  and compose the structure of the collection container  110 . The soiled medical implements are stored within the interior body portion  118 . A lid  112  is positioned on the top wall of the collection container  110  to provide access to the body portion  118 . The lid  112  defines an inlet opening  111  for passage of the soiled medical implements into the body portion  118 .  
         [0030]     The lid  112  comprises all or a portion of the top wall of the collection container  110 . In this embodiment, the lid  112  includes a slideable screen that is pivotable between an open position (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and a closed position. The position of the screen defines the size of the inlet opening  111  through which the soiled medical implements are passed. The user pivots the screen to close the inlet opening  111 , for example, to restrict access to the interior body portion  118  filled with soiled medical implements. The user may also close the inlet opening  111  to prevent the leakage of soiled medical implement or contents thereof during transportation.  
         [0031]     The lid  112  may be integrally formed with the top wall of the collection container. Alternatively, the lid  112  may be a discrete component mounted to the top wall of the collection container as shown in  FIG. 1 . The lid  112  can be mounted to the top wall of the collection container  110  using a hinge, adhesive, weld, clip, clamp or any other mechanical fastening method commonly known in the art. Although the lid  112  and integral inlet  111  are positioned on the top wall of the collection container  110  in this embodiment, the lid  112  and inlet  111  could be positioned on the upper portion of any side wall of the collection container  110  or at any other location, depending on other aspects of the design.  
         [0032]     The dispensing container  120  of the exemplary embodiment is configured to dispense sterile, unused medical implements  124 . The walls of the dispensing container  120  define the interior body portion  128  and compose the structure of the dispensing container  120 . The sterile medical implements  124  are stored within the interior body portion  128 . A lid  122  is hingedly connected to the top end of the dispensing container  120  by a hinge  121  to provide access to the interior body portion  128 . The lid  122  pivots between an open position and a closed position (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). In use, the lid  122  is pivoted to an open position to load sterile medical implements  124  into the interior body portion  128  of the dispensing container  120 . The lid  122  is pivoted to a closed position, as shown, to inhibit access to the sterile medical implements  124 .  
         [0033]     An access opening  129  is formed on the lower end of a side wall to provide access to the sterile medical implements  124 . An extendable chute  123  is hingedly connected to the bottom end of the dispensing container  120  by a hinge  125 . The chute  123  comprises two side walls and a front wall extending between the side walls. The extendable chute  123  pivots between an open position (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and a closed position. In the open position, the extendable chute  123  facilitates the controlled passage of sterile medical implements  124  from the body portion  128  via access opening  129 . In the open position, the chute  123  also forms an effective barrier to prevent the medical implements  124  from uncontrollably surging out of the access opening  129 . In the closed position, the chute  123  obstructs the access opening  129 , thereby preventing access to the sterile medical implements  124  within the body portion  128 .  
         [0034]     For the purposes of shipping and handling, the chute  123  and lid  122  are maintained in the closed position to prevent the escapement of pre-packaged sterile medical implements  124 . The chute  123  and lid  122  are also maintained in the closed position to reduce the overall shipping size of the dispensing container  120 . Although not illustrated, the chute  123  and lid  122  may incorporate locking features, to further prevent unauthorized access to the sterile medical implements  124 .  
         [0035]     In use and according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one or more of the pre-packaged sterile medical implement(s)  124  are removed from the extended chute  123  of the dispensing container  120  for use, i.e. soiling. The formerly sterile medical implement(s), now soiled, are prepared for disposal and then inserted into the body portion  118  via inlet opening  111 . After the body portion  118  of the collection container  110  is filled to capacity, the lid  112  is closed to prevent access to the body portion  118  through the inlet opening  111 .  
         [0036]     The containers  110 ,  120  of the exemplary embodiment may be formed by an injection molding process or blow molding process or any known forming process. Alternatively, the walls of the containers may be separate and adhered, welded, snapped and/or clipped together. The containers  110 ,  120  are desirably composed of a substantially leak resistant material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The containers  110 ,  120  may be partially or completely transparent or translucent for the purpose of monitoring the level of medical implements within the containers.  
         [0037]     Although not illustrated, a single universal container could incorporate the features of both containers  110  and  120 . The universal container would provide both a lid  112  (with inlet opening  111 ) and an extendable chute  123 . When used as a dispensing container, the extendable chute  123  of the universal container would be extended to an open position and the lid  112  would be rotated to a closed position. When used as a collection container, the extendable chute  123  of the universal container would be retracted to a closed position and the lid  112  would be rotated to an open position. Manufacturing, inventory and/or tooling a single universal dispensing/collection container in lieu of two separate containers could represent a significant cost savings.  
         [0038]     Referring specifically now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is mounted in an enclosure  130 , according to one aspect of this invention. As mentioned previously, although an enclosure  130  is selected for illustration and included as a component of this exemplary embodiment, the enclosure  130  is an optional component of the dispensing and disposal system  100 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  100  maintained in an enclosure  130 , wherein the door  135  of the enclosure  130  is in a closed position.  FIG. 3  illustrates the door  135  of the enclosure  130  in an open position. The enclosure  130  accommodates the containers  110 ,  120  for storage and safety purposes without inhibiting the functionality of the collection container  110  and the dispensing container  120 . Accordingly, the enclosure  130  provides an opening  132  to accommodate the extendable chute  123  of the dispensing container  120 . The opening  132  provides adequate clearance so that the extendable chute  123  may extend through the enclosure door  135  without obstruction (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0040]     The enclosure  130  also provides an inlet opening  131  substantially aligned with the inlet opening  111  of the collection container  110  to permit the passage of soiled medical implements through the inlet opening  111 . The inlet opening  131  includes a plurality of side walls  138  that extend into or toward the interior of the enclosure  130  to contact or terminate proximal the top side of the collection container  110 . The side walls  138  prohibit the soiled medical implements from unintentionally descending into the interior of the enclosure  130  or entering the chute  123 .  
         [0041]     The enclosure  130  comprises five sidewalls and a hingedly connected door  135 . Although the enclosure  130  comprises five sidewalls, the enclosure may have any number of sidewalls. The door  135  is hingedly connected to a sidewall of the enclosure  130 , by a hinge  137 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The door  135  may be connected to any of the sidewalls of the enclosure  130 , as the orientation and position of the door  135  is not limited to the illustration shown.  
         [0042]     One or more supports  136  are provided on the base of the enclosure  130 . The supports  136  are configured to maintain the enclosure  130  in an upright position when the enclosure  130  is mounted on a surface such as a floor or desk. Alternatively, although not shown, the rear wall of the enclosure  130  may provide holes, slots or brackets for mounting the enclosure  130  to a wall.  
         [0043]     A window  133  is provided on the door  135  of the enclosure  130 . The window facilitates the monitoring of soiled medical implements within the collection container  110  when the door  135  is in the closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In use, a user monitors the level of the soiled medical implements within the collection container  110  to determine when to replace the collection container  110 .  
         [0044]     A lock  140  is provided on the door  135  of the enclosure  130  to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the enclosure  130 . The lock  140  engages with a side wall of the enclosure  130 .  
         [0045]     The enclosure  130  of the exemplary embodiment may be formed by an injection molding, blow molding, casting or other forming process. Alternatively, the walls of the enclosure may be separate and adhered, welded, snapped and/or clipped together. The enclosure  130  may be composed of a material such as polypropylene or polyethylene or other suitable material.  
         [0046]     Similar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , another exemplary embodiment of a medical implement dispensing and disposal system is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . The medical implement dispensing and disposal system  200  includes a collection container  210  defining a collection chamber configured to collect soiled medical implements and a dispensing container  220  defining a dispensing chamber configured to dispense medical implements. In this exemplary embodiment the dispensing container  220  and the collection container  210  are formed from a single unitized body. Manufacturing, inventory and/or tooling of a single dispensing/collection container in lieu of two separate containers could represent a significant cost savings. The dispensing container  220  includes a body portion  228  and an access opening  223 . The collection container  210  includes a body portion  218 . A lid  222  is mounted to the top end of the collection container  210  and the dispensing container  220 .  
         [0047]     Similar to the previous embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the lid  222  incorporates a slideable screen  212  that is pivotable between an open position (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) and a closed position. The position of the screen  212  defines the size of the inlet opening  211  through which the soiled medical implements are passed. The slideable screen  212  may be integral with the lid  222  or mounted (e.g. snapped or adhered) onto the lid  222  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0048]     The collection container  210  and the dispensing container  220  are formed from a single unitized body. An interior wall  221 , shown as a dotted line, is positioned within the interior of the containers and separates the collection container  210  from the dispensing container  220 . The interior wall  221  prevents the integration of the soiled and sterile medical implements. The access opening  223  accommodates the passage of sterile medical implements from the dispensing container  220 . A lid  222  is provided to cover the exposed top side of the containers  210 ,  220 . The lid  222  is mounted to the top side of the containers  210 ,  220  by any mechanical mounting means known in the art, e.g. tongue and groove, clips, clamps, welds, adhesive, etc.  
         [0049]     The unitized containers  210 ,  220  of the exemplary embodiment may be formed by an injection molding process or blow molding process or other known manufacturing process. Alternatively, the walls of the containers may be separate and adhered, welded, snapped and/or clipped together. The containers  210 ,  220  are desirably composed of a substantially leak resistant material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The containers  210 ,  220  may be partially or completely transparent or translucent for the purpose of monitoring the level of medical implements within the containers.  
         [0050]     Referring specifically now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , similar to the previous embodiment, the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is mounted in an enclosure  230 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  200  maintained in an enclosure  230 , wherein the door  235  of the enclosure  230  is in a closed position.  FIG. 6  illustrates the door  235  of the enclosure  230  in an open position. The door  235  is hingedly connected to the enclosure  230  by a hinge  237 . A window  233  is provided on the door  235  for monitoring the soiled medical implements within the collection container  210 . A lock  240  is also provided on the door  235  to prevent unauthorized access to the interior portion of the enclosure  230 .  
         [0051]     Unlike the previous embodiment however, the enclosure  230  of this exemplary embodiment incorporates the extendable chute  238 . The chute  238  is hingedly connected to the door  235  by hinge  239  and aligned with the access opening  223  of the dispensing container  220 . The extendable chute  238  facilitates the controlled passage of sterile medical implements  224  through an access opening  232  of the enclosure  230  and the access opening  223  of the dispensing container  220 . In the open position, the chute  238  also forms an effective barrier to prevent the medical implements  224  from uncontrollably surging out of the access opening  223  of the dispensing container  220 , while concurrently providing user access to the sterile medical implements  124 . In the closed position, the chute  238  obstructs the access opening  223  of the dispensing container  220 , thereby prohibiting unauthorized user access to the sterile medical implements  224 . In the retracted position (i.e. closed position), the side walls of the chute  238  are positioned on either side of the dispensing container  220 .  
         [0052]     The enclosure  230  provides an opening  231  substantially aligned with the inlet opening  211  of the collection container  210  to permit the passage of soiled medical implements through the inlet opening  211 . The inlet  231  of the enclosure  230  includes a plurality of side walls  234  extending into the interior of the enclosure  230 . The side walls  234  are maintained in frictional contact with the lid  222  and provide a barrier to prohibit the soiled medical implements from unintentionally descending into the interior of the enclosure  230 .  
         [0053]     Similar to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , another exemplary embodiment of a medical implement dispensing and disposal system is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9 . The medical implement dispensing and disposal system  300  includes a collection container  310  defining a collection chamber configured to collect soiled medical implements and a dispensing container  310 ′ defining a dispensing chamber configured to facilitate the distribution of medical implements. In this exemplary embodiment a single universal container is configured to be both a dispensing container  310 ′ and a collection container  310 . In one orientation the container operates as a dispensing container  310 ′ and in another orientation the container operates as a collection container  310 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 7 , the container shown to the left is oriented as a collection container  310  and the container shown to the right is oriented as a dispensing container  310 ′. The collection container  310  is oriented upright and the dispensing container  310 ′ is oriented inverted.  
         [0054]     The universal container  310 ,  310 ′ may be advantageous from a manufacturing, inventory and/or tooling perspective. The fabrication of a single dispensing/collection container in lieu of two different containers may represent a significant cost savings.  
         [0055]     The container  310 ,  310 ′ includes a body portion  312  and a lid  315 . The lid  315  is removably mounted to the top side  313  of the body portion  312 . The lid  315  may be integrated with the body portion  312  or a separate component as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The lid  315  includes an integral flange portion  322  positioned along the periphery of the lid  315 . The purposed of the flange portion  322  will be described in further detail later. The lid  315  may be composed of sheet-metal or formed by a molding process.  
         [0056]     A barrier wall  316  formed in the lid  315  extends into an opening  317 . In the dispensing orientation ( 310 ′), the barrier wall  316  contains the sterile medical implements to facilitate the controlled passage of sterile medical implements through the opening  317  of the lid  315 . The barrier wall  316  also forms an effective barrier to prevent the medical implements from uncontrollably surging out of the opening  317 .  
         [0057]     The exemplary embodiment of the dispensing container  310 ″ illustrated in  FIG. 7A  includes a flip lid  370  pivotably coupled to the barrier wall  316 . The flip lid  370  is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The flip lid  370  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  is shown in a partially open position. Although the flip lid  370  selected for illustration is incorporated with a dispensing container  310 ″, the flip lid  370  may also be incorporated with a collection container  310 . In the open position the flip lid  320  either provides access to the sterile medical implements within the dispensing container  310 ″ or the soiled medical implements within the, collection container  310 . In the closed position the flip lid  370  obstructs the opening  317  thereby prohibiting access to the soiled medical implements within the collection container  310  or the sterile medical implements within the dispensing container  310 ″. A lock  372  is coupled to the barrier wall  316  to prevent unauthorized access to the containers  310 ,  310 ″. The lock is especially advantageous to safely obstruct the opening  317  of the collection container  310  upon handling and transportation of the container  310 .  
         [0058]     Referring specifically now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , similar to the previous embodiments the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  300  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  are accommodated in an enclosure  330 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the medical implement dispensing and disposal system  300  maintained in an enclosure  330 , wherein the door  335  of the enclosure  330  is in a closed position.  FIG. 9  illustrates the door  335  of the enclosure  330  in an open position. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the dispensing container  310 ′ is illustrated on the left hand side of the enclosure  330  in an inverted orientation and the collection container  310  is illustrated on the right hand side of the enclosure  330  in an upright orientation.  
         [0059]     The enclosure  330  provides an opening  331  positioned to accommodate the lid  315  of the collection container  310 . The enclosure  330  also provides an access opening  332  substantially aligned with the opening  317  of the dispensing container  310 ′ to facilitate the passage of sterile medical implements from the dispensing container  310 ′. Two rail sections  340  accommodate the flange portions  322  of the collection container  310 . The flange portions  322  engage with and translate along the rail sections  340 . The two rail sections  340  limit the collection container  310  from shifting in the x direction. The door  335  and rear wall of the enclosure limit the collection container  310  from shifting in the y direction. A barrier  342  formed on the lower wall of the enclosure  330  limits the dispensing container  310 ′ from shifting in the x direction. The door  335  and rear wall of the enclosure limits the dispensing container  310 ′ from shifting in the y direction.  
         [0060]     In use, after all of the sterile medical implements within the dispensing container  310 ′ have been utilized and the collection container  310  is sufficiently filled with soiled medical implements, the filled collection container  310  is removed from the enclosure  330  and safely disposed of to provide space for an empty collection container  310 . The empty dispensing container  310 ′ is inverted to change its functionality from a dispensing container  310 ′ to a collection container  310 . The collection container  310 , which was previously an empty dispensing container  310 ′, is mounted on the right hand side of the enclosure  330  in an upright position. A new dispensing container  310 ′ filled with sterile medical implements is mounted on the left hand side of the enclosure  330 .  
         [0061]     Referring to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9 , the sterile medical implements may be pre-packaged within the dispensing container  310 ′ to facilitate quick installation of the system  300 . The opening  317  may be sealed with a removable barrier to prevent the escapement of the sterile medical implements from the dispensing container  310 ′ during shipment. It is contemplated that an enclosure  330  with or without a dispensing container  310 ′ and/or a collection container  310  could be packaged and shipped to a user. It is also contemplated that an individual dispensing container  310 ′ and/or a collection container  310  could be packaged and shipped to a user, with or without an enclosure  330 .  
         [0062]     Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments selected for illustration in the Figures, it will be appreciated that many variations and modifications can be made to the systems  100 ,  200 ,  300  and the components thereof without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention. For example, it should be noted that it is not required that the unused medical implements are sterile, as the dispensing container is configured to hold a medical implement in any condition. Although several molding processes are mentioned, the systems and components thereof are not limited to any specific manufacturing process or material. Additionally, although the collection and dispensing containers selected for illustration are shown side by side, the collection container may be positioned above the dispensing container, or vice versa.