Patent ID: 7789230

Claim:
A container for collecting sharps, said container having an opening, an interior region located beneath the opening for collecting sharps received through the opening, at least one surface positioned to deflect sharps that are received through the opening, a substantially planar platform pivotally mounted beneath the opening to deflect and reorient sharps that are inserted into the opening, the substantially planar platform being settled in a point of balanced equilibrium in a substantially horizontal closed position and biased toward the closed position under the influence of gravity, and a door movable with respect to the opening between a closed position, in which the door substantially obstructs the opening, and an open position, in which the door is substantially removed from the opening, wherein the at least one surface is defined by a ramp extending downwardly from a position proximal the opening and toward the interior region of the container, the ramp being generally aligned beneath the opening to deflect and reorient sharps that are inserted into the opening, wherein the ramp is substantially removed from beneath the opening when the door is in the closed position.