MXPA00000379A - Sharps container - Google Patents

Abstract

A sharps container for receiving and storing medical sharps and waste materials which prevents hand access to within the container and has a wide access opening. The container (10) comprises a receptacle (11) having an opening which is closable by a hinged lid (24) which is movable between opened and closed positions. A pivotal tray (16) is mounted at the opening wherein for the opened position of the lid (24) the tray (16) has a rest position at which it is accessible for medical sharps and waste materials to be placed thereon. The tray (16) is then pivotally moveable for disposal of the medical sharps and waste materials therefrom into the receptacle. The tray (16) is arranged such that as it pivots a front edge thereof moves towards the opened lid (24), and a rear edge (23) thereof moves closely adjacent a guard (35), wherein the rear edge (23) clears the guard (35) for disposal of medical sharps and waste materials into the receptacle from the tray (16) when the front edge of the tray is proximate the lid (24), thereby preventing hand access to within the receptacle (11) for all positions of the tray (16) about its pivotal axis. The tray (16) is biased to return to its rest position. The lid (24) and tray (16) are operatively associated such that as the lid is opened from a closed position, the tray (16) is moved from a storage position within the receptacle (11) to its rest position. The tray (16) is foldable to facilitate its storage within the receptacle (11) upon closing the lid (24).

Description

CONTAINER FOR PUNZOCORTANTES INSTRUMENTS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container for use in the disposal of medical and hospital instruments, punches such as needles, syringes, surgical blades and the like, and associated medical or other waste materials. In particular, the invention relates to a container for sharp, reusable, safe instruments for locating in a medical clinic, hospital, etc., and in which medical sharps and waste materials can be placed for storage pending for the subsequent disposal or destruction of that material in an appropriate facility for that purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hospitals and medical clinics use many sharps that are discarded instead of being cleaned and reused. In general, it is desirable and often necessary to provide safe containers in which sharps and waste materials are placed for The pending storage of its disposal or disposal. These containers provide security against the use of used syringes and the like to prevent them from falling into the hands of users who use intravenous drugs or others who are likely to use them without proper sterilization. These containers are also designed so that when sharps are placed on them, they are stored safely without placing the personnel of the hospital and patients at risk of contact with sharp instruments that could otherwise result in needle-puncture injuries and the potential to transfer an infectious disease. Containers for sharps instruments are known and examples of these containers are shown in the following specifications: US 4,715,498, US 5,103,997, US 5,178,322 and EP 90313126.6, all of which describe disposable containers.

Reusable containers are also known, as shown for example by US 5,413,243. A general problem with both disposable and reusable containers is that it is difficult to provide a container that has a large access opening and the At the same time ensure the prevention of access of the hands into the container.

Description of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a container for sharps instruments, which can be either disposable or reusable, having a high level of security against access to the inside of the container. A subsidiary object is to provide a reusable container construction for sharps instruments, which allows container embodiments to have a large access opening. According to the invention, there is provided a container comprising a receptacle for receiving and storing medical sharps and waste materials, the receptacle having an opening, a closure for closing the opening, a closure that hinges to the receptacle the movement between the open and closed positions, an elimination means, rotatable mounted in the opening where for the open position of the closure, the elimination means is accessible for the medical sharps instruments and waste materials that are to be placed therein , the removable means of pivoting removal for the removal of medical sharps and waste materials thereof to the receptacle, wherein the elimination means is arranged in relation to the closure in its open position, and the receptacle , to prevent access of hands to the receptacle for all positions of the elimination medium around its rotating axis. Preferably, the rotary elimination means is a tray that tilts to return to a rest position for the open position of the closure, which preferably is a lid, where it is accessible so that the medical instruments puncturing and waste materials are placed therein. In its rest position, a front edge of the tray can be placed adjacent a front edge of the opening of the receptacle, with the closure hingedly hinged to a rear edge of the receptacle opposite its front edge. With this construction, in the rotation of the tray, its front end moves towards the open closure, specifically a lid, and its trailing edge moves towards the receptacle. This arrangement facilitates the provision of a wide access opening for the disposal of medical sharps and waste materials in the receptacle since the tray can provide a large area in which sharps and waste materials can be placed, a surface that can be spaced relatively broadly from the lid in its open position, particularly a front edge thereof depending on the degree to which the lid is opened relative to the receptacle. Preferably, the lid in its open position extends at an angle of at least 40 ° to the opening of the receptacle, which opening is typically the upper part of the receptacle. In this way, the closure in the form of a lid and the tray, are arranged so that there is a separation between them and that separation is sufficient to allow the sharps objects to be easily placed in the tray for subsequent removal towards the receptacle . This arrangement is such that the rotary movement of the tray in the placement of the sharpening object in it, causes a reduction in that separation so that the tray rotates to a position of elimination in which the interior of the receptacle is exposed, is restricted he «FEÉ access to that interior by the reduced separation between the lid and the tray. Is the tray, or a portion thereof rotating in a direction towards the lid and reducing the separation between these is sufficient to prevent a user placing his hand (s) (s) therethrough for access into the receptacle. Preferably, the separation continues to decrease as the tray rotates toward the lid and preferably the separation is substantially eliminated, or at least minimized at the point of removal of the sharps from the tray into the receptacle to prevent or prevent effective way that the fingers of a person that eliminates the sharps material extend through the separation. It is preferred that the needlestick from tray is deposited into the single receptacle in rotation of the tray to the extent that separation is reduced the desired amount. While the tray and lid can be arranged to limit access into the receptacle, as discussed above, an additional alternative means can be provided to prevent access into the receptacle, when the container is being used. . This means can include shields or shields and these can be placed for ^ ^^ ^ ¿^? ^^^^ to block gaps existing between various parts of container, particularly separations such as those that may be exposed during pivoting movement of the tray. In some arrangements, the edges of the tray may be separated from other surfaces of the container, such as the inner walls of the receptacle, during its travel route, so that access may be gained into the receptacle at those points. For example, the gaps can exist between an end or side of the tray or adjacent receptacle wall, prior to or during pivotal movement of the tray for disposal of a sharp object. In this way, the protectors can be used, for example, adjacent to each end of the tray and can have a profile complementary to the route of the ends so that there are no undesirable separations that allow access to the inside of the receptacle, when the tray is either stationary or rotating. While in the arrangement described above, the lid is held in a generally stationary open position throughout the entire removal of the sharps material, an alternative arrangement is that the lid can be made to rotate with the tray in order to reduce the separation between the lid aí ^ # i *? sM «faith &! * U iA.j-a? t and the tray for the reasons discussed above. Preferably, the tray is foldable into a folded state as necessary for storage within the container and to facilitate the closure of the container, or as a measure to save space when the container is closed. A folding tray provides several advantages. An advantage resides in that this tray can be provided in a size, in the unfolded state, which is convenient for a user of the container to easily deposit the sharps material therein, but a condition in which it would be inconvenient or difficult for the container that closes if the tray is not foldable. Additionally, the provision of a foldable tray allows a relatively large and easily accessible tray to be adopted, but that the tray does not necessarily increase the full volume of the container, particularly when the container is closed, given its foldable nature. Preferably, the tray fits within an upper portion of the receptacle, or within the cover that is provided to close the container, or partially within any. The provision of a foldable tray facilitates its accommodation in the container within these spaces and can reduce to a minimum the reduction in storage space of the sharps material that can occur due to the requirement that the tray be located inside the container in the space that Other mode can adjust sharpening material, of waste. Preferably, the elimination means, rotating, whether in the form of a tray, or not, extends out of the container when in its rest position, to facilitate the placement of the sharps material therein. Preferably, the lid and the rotating elimination means are operatively associated such that the movement of the lid from its closed position to its open position moves the elimination means from an inoperative condition to an operative condition where it is accessible for medical sharps instruments and waste materials that will be placed in it. In this embodiment of the invention, the rotary elimination means may be a tray as described hereinabove, and the cover may include a dependent arm and the receptacle a structure for coupling the arm, wherein the arm and structure they provide a stop arrangement that defines the open position for the lid. The operative association of the tray and the lid can take any suitable form, but is preferably provided by a cam and roller arrangement, for example the lid arm can include a cam profile and the tray can include a roller in the form of a tang coupled with the profile of the cam. The spike may be placed in a suitable position of the tray such as an edge portion, and the coupling between the cam and the roller may be permanent or may occur only during a portion of the movement of the cover between its open and closed positions. Other alternative arrangements may also be used, such as a connecting rod coupling arrangement, or a tilt arrangement in which the movement of the lid allows a tilting force to act on the tray, or any combination of the above. In this embodiment, the tray can also be formed to be foldable and can be arranged to be folded as necessary when the lid is closed. The tray for example can be arranged to be folded as the lid is closed and to unfold as the lid is opened. Alternatively, the tray can be folded independently of the lid and this bending or folding can occur as a result of a separate action or mechanism undertaken or manually operated before or during closure of the lid. The invention anticipates the circumstance that the tray can not be folded or folded each time the lid of the container is closed and the term "foldable" is used with respect to the tray to provide this circumstance. That is, the crease of the tray can only occur when the container is filled beyond a certain level of sharps material in which there is insufficient space within the container to adjust the tray in an unfolded state. In one form of the invention, the tray is bent only in the engagement of a collapsible portion of the tray with a higher level of sharps and waste materials in the receptacle. In this form of the invention, the degree to which the tray is bent depends on the height of the sharps and waste materials in the receptacle. The coupling of the tray with the sharps material serves as an indicator that the container is full, or is almost at full capacity. Advantageously, the tray can be arranged to fold over itself, through approximately 180 ° and can be arranged in that bent condition to extend through the opening of the receptacle, substantially transverse to the depth thereof in order to minimize the degree to which the tray extends into the receptacle in the folded condition. However, it is to be understood that the complete folding of the tray through 180 ° may not always be necessary, unless the receptacle is substantially filled. The position of the tray inside the container when the lid has been closed, does not reduce in a substantially preferential manner the amount of sharps material capable of being placed inside the receptacle. The tray is therefore preferably stored in a manner in which the projection thereof into the receptacle is negligible or minimized. In this way, the tray can be made to stack the sharps material placed inside the receptacle, and this is particularly appropriate if the tray is collapsible. Alternatively, the tray may be made to penetrate the sharps or waste material into the receptacle, although this latter arrangement is not preferred since the sharps material will generally tend to resist or spoil that penetration. However, the nature of the sharps or waste material may be such that the resistance to If the penetration is insufficient to prevent the closure of the lid, it will not be sufficient. In an additional arrangement, the movement of the tray can be inside a bag formed, for example, inside the receptacle, bag that is not filled with sharps material. In a further embodiment, the lid can fit at least a portion of the closed tray. As can be understood from the above description, a variety of options are available to accommodate the tray within the container. The rotary elimination means is preferably mounted, so that the placement of the sharpening material thereof causes the rotary movement thereof in a position in which the sharpening material can be disposed towards the receptacle. Additionally, the rotating elimination means preferably returns to the rest position following the rotary motion to eliminate the sharps material. The rotational movement of the elimination medium to a disposal position can be arranged to occur under the weight of the sharps material placed therein. Alternatively, the user of the container can push the elimination means to ^ and that it rotates, just as by the pressure of the fingers, although in the same way, a different arrangement can be used to create the rotary movement. The first arrangement described is preferred, since an over-compensated arrangement for the rotary elimination means may be provided such that only a small load will cause the rotary movement. With this arrangement, after removal of the sharps material into the receptacle, the rotary elimination means will return under its over-compensation to its rest position. A butt joint can be provided to limit the rotational movement back from the elimination means, rotatable to define its rest position and an edge of the receptacle opening can provide that butt joint. For a rotary elimination means which is a tray, the tray in its rest position preferably inclines towards the opening of the receptacle or towards the receptacle, so that a sharps placed on the tray will tend to slide again towards its edge. lower back from which the object is removed towards the receptacle. In the overcompensated arrangement discussed above, the inclination of the tray is advantageous, since the sliding of the sharpening object towards the lower edge promotes the rotary movement of the tray towards the elimination position, after which the tray will return under its overcompensation. to the resting position. However, an alternative means for rotating the tray may be employed, the return movement of the tray may be caused by any suitable means, such as a tilting means. An advantage of the invention resides in the manner in which the rotating disposal means, for example the tray, can be presented for use in an open condition of the container. Advantageously, a front portion of the tray extends beyond a front wall or surface of the receptacle and also preferably beyond the lid of the container. This projection of the tray beyond the receptacle and the lid is to facilitate the placement of the pucker-shaped object therein without obstacle of the receptacle or the lid. Preferably, the container includes a structure in which the rotating elimination means is mounted in a rotatable manner, and this structure in turn is removably mounted in the receptacle and can be moved relative to it to move the means of removal, rotating away from the opening of the receptacle. In this embodiment, the lid can move preferentially beyond its open position to fully discover the opening of the receptacle. In this way, the lid and the rotary elimination means can be moved, in turn, relative to the receptacle to leave its opening unobstructed such that the container can be emptied of its contents simply by inverting the receptacle. Preferably, the structure is articulated with hinged removably to the receptacle opposite the connection with hinges from the lid to the receptacle. This construction particularly facilitates the automated handling of the container in a facility for the destruction of medical instruments and sharps. waste since the lid and tray can be automatically moved to unobstructed positions relative to the opening, while remaining attached to the receptacle, such that the receptacle can then be inverted automatically and thus to empty its puncture-resistant and waste materials, contaminated. In this way, the invention allows the elimination of medical sharps and waste materials with increased safety since the need for people to handle the material is minimized. container in a destruction facility, if not eliminated. Preferably, in this embodiment, the rotary elimination means is a tray, which can be tilted to a rest position, can be folded, can be tilted into the receptacle and, in its rest position, can extend beyond of the receptacle, as described hereinabove with respect to other embodiments of the invention. The structure in which the elimination means, swivel or tray is mounted in the form of a pivot can also provide, in conjunction with an arm dependent on the lid, a releasable stop arrangement for defining the open position of the lid also as described previously in the present. Additionally, this structure can include a protector that is closely adjacent to a trailing edge of the elimination means, rotatable as it rotates, the arrangement that is such that the trailing edge of the elimination means, clears the guard for the removal of medical sharps materials. and waste to the receptacle from the disposal means when the front edge is close to the lid. This guard arrangement is particularly effective in preventing access of the hands in the receptacle. The prevention of hand access as described above is proposed to mean that a person who is using the container to remove the sharps material as well as others who may come into contact with the container, do not extend their (s) hand (s), or protruding from your hand (s) in a storage section of the receptacle. This returns to the container as a particularly safe storage facility for the sharps material, substantially eliminating infectious damage or transmission upon human contact with that material. The storage section and receptacle preferably comprises a substantial portion of the volume of the receptacle and preferably includes the entire volume of the receptacle, except for a section adjacent to the opening, in an arrangement in which the elimination means is placed, rotating inside. or through the opening. The storage section may also be limited by the storage requirements of the tray within the receptacle when the container is closed.

The container for sharps instruments can be preferentially secured to prevent the disposal of material therein, such as by an unauthorized person or when the container is full, and to securely close the container when it is to be transported to a container. installation of elimination or destruction of sharps instruments. While the fastening arrangement can take any suitable form, an arrangement has been contemplated in which two secured positions are available. The first secured position is temporary only since it can be easily released. The lid is allowed to reopen easily when the latch is released. This fastening position can be adapted to indicate that the container will not be used at that time. When it is appropriate for the container to be used, the lock from the first secured position is removed to the unsecured position easily. The first secured position can also be used when an empty container is being returned to a hospital or clinic for filling. The second secured position is more permanent, that is, the inter-engaging fasteners are not easily released. This ensures that the container is opened again without, for example, an appropriate key or combination for íf -a - ^^ & SS uninsured the insurance and ensures that a container can not be used as is appropriate for when the container has been filled and is to be transported to a sharps disposal facility. Now, one embodiment of the invention will be described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a container for medical sharps and other waste materials according to the invention, showing its lid in the open position. Figure 2 is another perspective view of the container of Figure 1 showing its completely open position to empty its contents. Figure 3 shows the portion of an arm dependent on the lid of the container of figure 1, illustrating a stop arrangement for defining the open position of the lid. Figures 4 and 5 are side views, partial, partially sectioned, illustrating the rotational movement of a tray of the container of Figure 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the fastening arrangement for the lid of the container of FIG. 1. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the operation of a folding tray and its association with the container lid of the container. Figure 1. Figure 10 shows a tool for use with the container of Figure 1. Figures 11 and 12 show portions of the container of Figure 1 that provide mounting of the container on a wall, and Figure 13 shows a support of wall on which the container of figure 1 can be mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A reusable container 10 for sharps instruments as shown in Figure 1 includes a receptacle 11 which is generally rectangular in cross section and in which a front wall 12 and a side wall 13 are visible. 11 closes at one end of the bottom 14 and opens into an upper end that includes an edge 15. Between the edge opening and the bottom 14, the receptacle 11 defines a storage section for storing the medical sharps and waste materials. The receptacle 11 slightly tapers «Sat, .-, tg * '« ^ nm * ¡from its upper end 15 to its end of the bottom 14 and this facilitates the stacking of these receptacles one inside the other. An elimination means, rotating in the form of a tray 16 is mounted rotatably relative to the receptacle 11 in its opening about a pivot axis AA. The tray 16 can rotate from the position shown in Fig. 1, which is a rest position, in a clockwise direction (as seen in Fig. 1) for the removal of the waste sharps towards inside the receptacle 11. The tray 16 is formed in two parts 17 and 18 which are rotatably connected to one another around a rotation axis BB. The pivot BB is formed by a pin extending from one of the parts of the tray to an opening formed in the other of these parts, on opposite sides of the tray. This is indicated by reference 71. The two parts 17 and 18 are formed separately and in the position shown in Figure 1, these two parts 17 and 18 close butt together with a butt joint edge 19. A means of inclination is attached to the lower surface of the tray 16 to deflect the two parts 17 and 18 in abutment connection together with the butt joint edge 19, position in which the two parts 17 and 18 provide a flat tray surface . The tilt means may be a tensioned spiral spring 72 as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ends of which are attached to the underside of the respective portions 17 and 18 of the tray. The position of the axis AA around which the tray 16 rotates is deliberately made so that the tray 16 tends to rotate due to its weight distribution in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in figure 1) around that axis, so that when the tray 16 is at rest, it is placed in the position shown in figure 1. In that position the tray 16 rests on an upper surface 20 of a turn structure (to be described later) associated with the upper end 15 with edge. Therefore, in the rest position shown in Figure 1, the tray 16 has an upper surface 21 on which the medical sharps and waste materials for disposal can be placed towards the receptacle 11. The tray 16 additionally includes a wall vertical edge 22 extending along the front and front edges of the part 17 of the tray. This wall and edge 22 defines a containment area in which a sharpsing object can be placed and prevents the object from falling from the tray 16, other than through the trailing edge 23 of the part 18 of the tray for removal towards the receptacle 11. As shown in Figure 1, the tray 16 is placed at a slight inclination so that the upper surface 21 of the tray 16 tilts downward and towards the receptacle 11. This inclined arrangement is created by the arrangement of the axis of rotation AA at a level slightly below the upper surface 20 on which the tray 16 rests in the rest position shown in figure 1. The container 10 further includes a closure in the form of a lid 24 which is connects with hinge along a rear edge portion of the edge 15. This hinge connection is not shown in Figure 1, but is visible in Figure 2 and is identified by reference number 25. Cover 24 also includes and dependent arm members 26 and 27 on opposite sides thereof and these arm members assist in guiding the lid 24 to a closed position of the container, as shown in the cross-section in Figure 8. The members of arm 26, 27 can be formed separately and attached to lid 24 by clamp arrangements (not shown) on the inner surface of the lid. The arm numbers 26 and 27 include resiliently inclined tabs 28 that lean away from each other to engage against the upper surface 20 when the lid 24 is in its open position (as shown in Figure 1) to stop the downward movement of cover 24 in that position. The arms 26, 27 and the tabs 28 in connection with the surface 20 provide a stop arrangement for defining the open position of the cover 24. The resiliently inclined tabs 28 are easily pressed towards each other to uncouple from the upper surface 20 and to allowing the lid 24 to move from the open position shown to a closed position. The tabs 28 can be arranged relative to the top surface 20 and its edges such that downward pressure on the lid 24 causes the tabs 28 to be cammed inwardly toward each other to disengage them from the surface 20. The basic operation of container 10 for sharps instruments can now be explained. The container 10 for sharps instruments is located in a hospital or medical clinic in a room or fa & tá- appropriate area for the elimination of sharps and waste materials. The container 10 can be placed, for example, on the floor, if it was so constructed to be stable against oscillations. Alternatively, a suitable base for receiving the container 10 can be provided. Preferably, the medium is provided on the back wall of the container to be mounted on the wall. The removal of a sharps object is a simple and convenient exercise with the sharpening object being removed, being placed in the part 17 of the tray, after which that object will tend to slide towards the trailing edge 23 of the tray 16, by by virtue of the inclined position of the tray 16. When the object passes the axis of rotation AA, the tray 16 will tend to rotate about that axis under the weight of the sharpening object, in a clockwise direction (as it is seen in Figure 1) causing the object to continue moving towards the trailing edge 23 of the tray 16 and finally to be deposited inside the receptacle 11 when the tray 16 has rotated sufficiently. Having deposited the sharpshooter inside the receptacle 11, the tray 16 returns in the form of a turn under the inclination provided by its distribution of weight relative to the axis AA to its resting position as shown in Figure 1. The container 10 for sharps instruments is advantageous for several reasons. First, the tray 16 provides a wide surface area for the placement of the sharps therein. Also, the tray 16 extends slightly forward of a front edge 29 of the edge 15 (i.e., protrudes outwardly of the receptacle) and in the second open position of the lid 24, is sufficiently separated from that lid such that it is provides easy access to its wide top surface 21. Second, a user of the sharps container 10 needs only to place a sharps object on the top surface 21 of the tray and ordinarily, no additional user will be required, since the tray 16 will cause the object to move back towards the trailing edge 23 and once the object has passed the axis of rotation AA, the tray 16 will rotate to deposit the object in the receptacle. In some circumstances, however, the user may require assisting the tray 16 to rotate, if the inclination of the tray 16 is not sufficient to cause movement of the object from the first part 17 of the tray to beyond the axis of rotation. AA. This can occur if the object does not have a tendency to slide relative to the inclined tray 16. This object, for example, can be a flat blade, such as a scalpel or razor blade. In that case, the user needs only to apply a rotational force to the tray 16, for example when pushing on the wall 22 of the front part 17 of the tray. The container 10 for sharps instruments is shown in figure 1 in the open position of the container. That is, the lid 24 is raised at an angle to the point where the resiliently inclined tabs 28 move outwardly and engage the upper surface 20 associated with the receptacle to prevent backward movement of the lid 24 in a downward direction. Further rotation of the lid 24 in an upward direction beyond that shown in Fig. 1 is prevented by an additional pair of resiliently inclined tabs 30 on the arms 26 and 27, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. tabs 30 of the arms 26 and 27 are engaged against the inner surface of a respective projecting part 31, which is associated with the upper surface 20. In this way, the pairs The respective respective of the resiliently inclined tabs 28 and 30 place the lid 24 in its open position shown in FIG. 1, by its engagement with the upper surface 20 and the lower surface of the lid. the parties 31, respectively, surfaces that are provided by the turn structure described later. The tabs 30 and the projecting portions 31 are additional elements of a stop arrangement defining the open position of the cover 24. The cover 24 can be moved from the open position of Figure 1 to a closed position, simply by pressing downwardly. in the cover 24 for camming the lugs 28 resiliently inclined inward, so that they are removed from the engagement of the upper surface 20, which allows the lid 24 to rotate about its articulated connection 25 with hinge. The lid 24 can also cause it to rotate beyond its open position shown in Fig. 1 and this is mainly required to empty the container 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the lid 24 can be opened completely away from the opening 32 to facilitate the emptying of the contents of the receptacle 11 without the obstacle of the lid 24. The movement of the lid 24 from the position shown in figure 1 to that shown in figure 2 requires displacement of the resiliently inclined tongues 30 of the coupling with the inner surface of the projecting portions 31. The displacement of the resiliently inclined tabs 30 can be made by any suitable means, and in Figure 1, an opening 37 in an outer, side wall of each projecting part 31 is provided for reception of a special tool, which can facilitate the movement of displacement. The tool can be part of an automated machine designed to empty the container 10, or it can be provided for manual operation. The tool is one that can be fitted within the opening 37 that is in a specific manner to receive a key or tool in addition formed. The opening 37 is shown to have a configuration of some key hole, but may have any suitable shape for receiving a relevant tool or key. This arrangement prevents the displacement of the tongues 30 resiliently deflected by an unauthorized person who does not possess the relevant tool or key. The opening 37 is provided in the side wall of each projecting part 31, which wall is placed substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the tabs 30 move to facilitate the movement of the lid 24 to the emptying position of Figure 2. The tool or key provided for moving the tabs 30 may be in a manner shown in Figure 10. This tool 55 includes an operating blade 56 fixed to an elongated shaft 57 The bit 56 is inserted through the opening 37, after which the shaft 57 is rotated to put the bit 56 in displaceable engagement with the tongue 30. If the tool 55 can be operated manually, the end of the shaft 57 away of the bit 56 can be adjusted with a handle or finger grip while if it is part of the automated machinery, it can be fixed to it in any suitable way. The container 10 also includes a rotating structure 33 (see figure 2) which rotatably connects to the upper edge 15 of the receptacle 11 a hinged connection 34 opposite the hinged connection 25 of the lid 24. The rotational structure 33 provides the upper surface 20 and the projecting parts 31. The rotating or rotating structure 33 includes the tray 16 which is rotatably connected to it, and which additionally includes an arched protective member 35, which in the illustration of figure 1, with the rotating structure 33 in its seated position or edge 15, is adjacent to the trailing edge 23 «> A.1 of the tray 16. The connection of hinges 34 is such that the rotating structure 33 can be completely removed from the receptacle 11, if desired. The structure 33 also includes clamps (not shown) on its side opposite the hinge connection 34 to secure the rotating structure 33 to the receptacle 11 in its position seated therein. The lid 24 and the rotating structure 33 are released and open, in turn. That is, first the resiliently inclined tabs 30 are placed and the lid 24 is then rotated to the fully open position of Figure 2, the rotating structure 33 can then be rotated to a fully open position (also shown in Figure 2) of so that the opening 32 of the receptacle is exposed. The re-assembly of the container 10 for sharps instruments is carried out in an inverse manner. As can be seen from Figure 2, the rotating structure 33 can be rotated to fully expose the opening of the receptacle 32, so that the emptying of the receptacle 11 is not hindered by that structure. The container 10 for sharps instruments as illustrated is particularly useful, since it can be emptied automatically by automated machinery. The advantage here is that workers who can carry the emptying of the sharps container should be exposed to the risk of injury unless the emptying procedure is carried out in a very safe manner. For example, if it is not acceptable for a worker to hold the receptacle 11 on either side of the upper end 15 because the fingers of the workers could protrude towards the receptacle 11, and expose the worker to the sharps material contained therein, with the potential of a needle bite or other injuries as discussed earlier. It is contemplated that machinery may be employed so that a container is automatically opened to the condition shown in Figure 2 and inverted to free the contents without any risk to the operator of that machinery. The curve of the protective member 35 of the rotating structure 33 is substantially the same as the curved path of the trailing edge 23 of the tray 16 and the guard 35 acts to prevent a gap from forming behind the trailing edge 23 as the tray 16 rotates. to prevent access into the receptacle 11 during the rotary movement of the tray 16. The movement is best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 which show the rotational movement of the tray 16 from the rest position of Figure 1 to a position of elimination. In those figures, it can also be seen that the rotating structure 33 includes a front protective member 36 which acts in the same manner as the arched protective member 35 to prevent separations from forming during the rotary movement of the tray 16. The protective member 36 blocks the gap formed between the bottom of the tray 16 and the front surface 12. As shown in figure 4, a "G" spacing between the front edges of the lid 24 and the tray 16 in its open position, is sufficient to allow a sharps object to be easily placed in the tray 16. However, the gap G is also sufficient for allowing a user to place his hand and arm in the container therefore it is necessary to provide a means to prevent access into the receptacle where the sharps and waste materials can be placed, discarded. The protector 35 provides this means. In the arrangement of figure 4, the space between the rear wall 12a of the receptacle 11 is small, but within that space a portion of the same protector 35 is placed which is closely adjacent to the path of the trailing edge 23 of the tray 16. In this way, the separation between the trailing edge 23 and the rear wall 12a will increase in the rotation of the tray 16, the guard 35 prevents access into the receptacle by blocking that separation. The extent of the guard 35 is limited, since an opening is required for the actual removal of the sharps and waste materials in the receptacle of the tray 16. The elimination opening D is shown in Figure 5. In this position of elimination, it is shown that the opening "G" has decreased to a much smaller opening "g" which is not sufficient for the hand or arm of a user to be inserted through it and thus prevents access to the inside of the receptacle 11 through the opening D. In this way, as illustrated by Figure 4, the container 10 has a large access opening as indicated by the dimension G and depending on the degree to which the lid 24 is opened with relation to the receptacle 11, while ensuring that access of the hand into the receptacle 11 is prevented. In its open position, the lid 24 may extend at an angle of approximately 40 ° or greater to the surface of the upper edge. r of the receptacle. The invention allows an access opening G of the order, e.g., 80 mm, to be made as opposed to sharps containers of the prior art, having apertures typically in the order of 50 mm. The provision of this large access opening permitted by the invention together with a wide dimension of, for example, 300 mm for the tray 16, allows relatively large puncture-resistant medical materials and large waste materials for example, such as a "intravenous dosing donation, are placed inside the container 10. Additionally, a large access opening allows a person to remove sharps materials in the container 10 directly from a tray such as, for example, a kidney plate, on which Sharps instruments can be placed immediately after use. That is, this plate simply supports the container 10 and is manipulated to tilt the sharps instruments thereof on the rotating tray 16, thus avoiding any actual handling of the sharps instruments after their placement in the kidney plate.

*% The sharps container 10 contains a fastening means for securing the lid 24 in "f" has a closed position relative to the receptacle 11. The fastening means is illustrated in Figure 1 in the form of a slide fastener arrangement 38. which is shown in more detail in Figures 6 and 7. There is a sliding latch 38 on the opposite sides of the container 10. Each arrangement 38 of the sliding latch includes a sliding member 39 which is permanently attached to the lid 24 by means of a leg section 41 extending towards a channel 40 in the lid 24 (Figure 1) and an additional leg section 42 that extends around a planar member 43 which depends on lid 24. Extending from the leg section 42, there is a resilient engagement member 44. The engagement member 44 is integrally formed with the leg section 42 and includes a coupling end portion 45. The portion of this end 45, is arranged so that can be coupled with a rack 46 comprising projections 47 and a terminal projection 48. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the projections 47 are generally triangular, having slanted sides, the first 47a of which is larger than the others, and the projection 48 has sides which extend substantially j ^ fc faith. "*. í .2» < < < * & normal from the bottom surface of the lid edge The end portion 45 is arranged to engage the projections 47 and the projection 48 to ensure either temporary or permanently the lid 24 to the receptacle 11. The mechanism of the securing arrangement 38 will now be described With reference first to Figure 6, a sliding member 39 is shown with the end portion 45 engaged between the inclined projections 47. the end portion 45 in this position has been achieved by the sliding movement of the sliding member 39 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 6. With this movement to the left, the engaging member 44 has been flexed in a manner resilient to allow the end portion 45 to pass over the projection further to the right 47a to arrive to rest at along the projections 47. In this position the sliding member 39 engages on an end portion 49 of a cut in the rim 15 of the receptacle 11 and the cap 24 is therefore held against the rotation of R by that coupling and therefore closed latched. However, the sliding member 39 can be moved to the right, as the inclined projections 47 allow the end portion 45 ^^^^ M í: * UUl ^^? ÁUüíií ^ ^ i ^? Í, slide on them to uncouple the sliding member 39 from the end portion 49. In the engaged position of the sliding member 39, shown in the Figure 6, lid 24 of the container is prevented from opening, but anyone can move the sliding member 39 to the right so that lid 24 can be opened. Therefore, in this position, the sliding member engages in the lid 24 closed, but not secured or secured against the opening. In Figure 7, the sliding member 39 has moved to the left, so that the end portion 45 of the engagement member 44 moves on the projection 48. The movement to the left is facilitated by the end portion 45 which it passes over the inclined projections 47 and the vertical projection 48. The movement of the sliding member 39 to the right is now prevented, as a vertical edge 50 of the end portion 45 abutted in a substantially equal manner against the normal projection 48. , so that the terminal portion 45 can not pass over the projection 48 against which it is butted. In this position having the slide 39, the lid 24 is permanently secured to the receptacle 11 and the opening of the lid 24 is not possible. The container 10 can be transported to a draining facility in this secured condition. The release of the sliding member 39 can be done by a special tool, additional that is inserted into the sliding member 39 to press the engaging member 44 and release its end portion 45 from engagement with the vertical projection 48. Any suitable tool can be provided for this purpose. It will be noted that in Figures 6 and 7, an inclined ramp section 51 is provided at the edge 15 of the receptacle 11, which is used from the end portion 49 of the cut. The purpose of this ramp section 51 is to close the lid 24 firmly relative to the receptacle 11 when the sliding member 39 slides into a permanently secured position. By virtue of the ramp 51, the sliding member 39 applies a progressively increasing closing force, so that the contents of the containers are secured therein. It is noted that in Figure 7, the end portion 45 is located beyond the vertical projection 48, but it is possible for the sliding member to still slide to the left so that the sliding member 39 is advanced slowly further towards above the ramp section 51 and apply a greater closing force between the lid 24 and the receptacle 11. 2 &sriil 1t £ 3tf &? ~, - JÍ- The fold of the tray 16 in the movement of the lid 24 to a closed position is shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. In this figure it can be seen that the part 17 of the tray is folded and located within the container 10 adjacent the lid 24. The other part 18 of the tray is placed at an angle to the part 17 of the tray and that angle Something is dictated by the level of the sharps material in the container. The arrangement of Figure 8 illustrates that the tray 16 can be completely retained in an inoperative condition within the container 10 when the container is closed and can be transported in that position to the facility to which the container is emptied. In this way, the separation of the tray from the container is not necessary so that the loss of the tray is unlikely to occur. The tray 16 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 8 by the cam and roller arrangements placed on the interiors of the arm members 26 and 27 and on the side edges of the edge wall 22 of the portion of part 17 of the tray. The cam arrangement can be a cam profile as can be seen in the various figures and is identified by the reference number 52 in Figure 8. The cam roller can be a pin, which engages the cam profile 52 , S, i as shown in the dotted line in Figure 9 and identified by the reference number 53. Each cam roll 53 is fixed to the 17 part of the tray. The arrangement of each cam 52 and the cam roller 53 is such that, as the lid 24 moves from the open portion of Figure 9 to the closed position of Figure 8, the cam roller 53 engages within the cam 52 and causes rotation of the part 17 of the tray to the position shown in Figure 8. The part 18 of the tray moves with the part 17 of the tray until the part 18 of the tray rotates relative to the part 17 of the tray as may eventually occur depending on when the part 18 of the tray is prevented from further movement with the part 17 of the tray. That is, the final placement of part 18 of the tray is not completely determined by the cam and roller arrangement. As shown in Figure 9, the position of the part 18 of the tray is somewhat dependent on the amount of sharps material placed in the receptacle 11 and when the receptacle 11 is filled, the part 18 in the tray in the closed position of cover 24 will rest against the top of that material. However, if the container is less full, the part 18 of the tray can rest on, or be adjacent to, the "" Usasa-. front wall 12, if there are no sharp materials that prevent its movement to that position. In the opening of the lid 24, the cam and roller arrangements 52, 53 are operative to move the tray 16 from its inoperative condition to an operative condition, and in its operative condition, the tray 16 moves to its normal rest position. (see Figure 1) under its overcompensated inclination. The arrangement of the cam 52 and the roller 53 of Figures 8 and 9 is shown in schematic detail only. This arrangement can take a variety of forms if therefore the specific contour is not important. However, it should be noted for the illustrated embodiment that during the closing movement of the lid 24, the surface of Figure 16 remains closely adjacent to the front protective member 36 to prevent access of the hands inside the receptacle from under the tray. 16. In the closed position of the lid 24, a seal (not shown), which is fixed to the edge of the lid 24, engages against an upper surface 64 of the edge 15 of the receptacle 11, adjacent to, and outside of the structure rotary 33. The seal may be adjusted in a channel extending around the periphery of the lid 24, or it may be otherwise secured to the lid.

Alternatively, a seal can be fixed to the surface 64. As can be seen from Figure 9, the coupling of the part 18 of the tray with the sharps instruments and the waste materials contained in the receptacle 11 provides an indication that the container 10 is full. When the container 10 reaches its capacity, the part 18 of the tray will not be able to rotate past the bottom edge 54 of the protective member 35 and any sharp material placed in the tray will not enter the storage section of the receptacle. This does not present any difficulty, since the container 10 can then be closed and secured for transport to a disposal facility. The described structure also provides an additional advantage in terms of safety since when the receptacle 11 is substantially full, a sharpening object placed in the tray 16 for disposal, commonly becomes jammed between the trailing edge 23 of the tray 16 and the bottom edge 54 of guard 35, which prevents tray 16 from returning by rotating to its rest position. In this way, the tray 16 is not accessible any longer so that sharps and waste materials are placed therein. This feature prevents the container 10 from overfilling. Preferably, the receptacle 11 includes a window 70 (see Figure 1) to allow the level of the sharps instruments and waste materials to be observed in the container 10. The window 70 it may include a mark to indicate that the receptacle is full. The container 10 may also include an additional bolt (not shown) between the lid 24 and the edge 15 of the receptacle 11 to provide additional security against the accident of transporting the filled container to a disposal or disposal facility. This bolt can be centrally located at the front of the lid 24 and the receptacle 11 to provide additional security against the lid being opened further if the filled container 10 is dropped, for example. wall mounted and an example embodiment of an arrangement for this purpose is shown in Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a rear view of the container 10 and the wall mounting arrangement 58 is central to the rear of the container. A cross-sectional view of the mounting arrangement through the line CC of Figure 11 is shown in Figure 12 and this shows that the mounting arrangement 58 defines a channel 59 extending from a rear surface 60 of the container 10 to a base 61 of the arrangement 58. The channel 59 is provided to receive a vertical section 63 of a mounting bracket 62 as shown in Figure 13, which shows the bracket 62 in cross section, fixed, in any manner suitable to a wall 64. A pigeon tail shape for the sides of the channel 59 facilitates secure support of the container 10 by the support 62 since the side edges of the support section 63 can be made to fit firmly on the tail sides of the container. channel 59 pigeon. A container according to the invention can be manufactured from any suitable material or combination of materials, but is preferably manufactured from plastic materials. Alternatively, metal materials, or a combination of plastic or metal materials may be used. The manufacture of the container can be done by any suitable method, such as by injection molding or spinning plastics, or by manufacturing plastics. The metal components can be pressed or stamped, by way of example. The choice of material and * "?H.H. i ^ -processing processes is a choice within the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. Clearly, for a usable container, the manufacturing material and the manufacturing method must be compatible with its reuse and sanitation and sterilization requirements. The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and / or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all these variations, modifications and / or additions that fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A container comprising a receptacle for receiving and storing medical sharps and waste materials, the receptacle having an opening, a closure for closing the opening, the closure hinged to the receptacle by movement between the open and closed positions , means of elimination, rotary mounted in the opening where for the open position of the closure, the elimination means is accessible so that they are placed on medical instruments sharps and waste materials, the means of elimination that can be moved in a manner Rotary for the removal of medical sharps and waste materials therefrom from the same to the receptacle, wherein the elimination means is arranged in relation to the closure in its open position, and the receptacle, to prevent access of any hand towards the receptacle. receptacle for all positions of the elimination medium around its axis of rotation.

A container according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a lid and the removal means, rotating is a tray that is tilted to return to a rest position for the open position of the lid, where it is accessible so that 5 sharps medical instruments and waste materials are placed in the same.

A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, including a protector associated with the receptacle, wherein the elimination means is arranged such that as it rotates, a front edge thereof moves toward the open closure, and a the trailing edge thereof moves closely adjacent to the guard, wherein the trailing edge clears the guard for the removal of medical sharps and waste materials 15 towards the receptacle from the elimination means when the leading edge is close to the closure and of this mode prevents the rotary elimination means from returning to an accessible position when the receptacle is substantially filled by the housing of an object for disposal between its trailing edge and the protector.

A container according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a lid and wherein the lid and the removal means, rotating are operatively associated such that the movement of the lid from its The closed position to its open position moves the elimination means from an inoperative condition to an operative condition, where it is accessible so that medical and puncture-resistant materials are placed therein.

A container according to claim 4, wherein the means of elimination, rotating is a tray that in its operating condition is tilted to return to a resting position from its position 10 of elimination.

A container according to claim 5, wherein the tray in the resting position is inclined towards the interior of the receptacle to facilitate the sliding of the sharps placed 15 in the same access to the tray and thus promotes the rotation of the tray from its resting position to its disposal position.

A container according to claim 5, or claim 6, wherein a portion of the tray 20 in its resting position protrudes outwardly beyond the receptacle to facilitate the placement of medical sharps and waste materials therein.

8. A container according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the tray can be folded for the .sss? ^ **. '^ -' £ S ?? & amp; amp; storage inside the container when it is inoperative.

A container according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the cap includes a dependent arm and the receptacle includes a structure for coupling the arm, wherein the arm and the structure provide a stop arrangement to define the open position of the arm. the lid, wherein the arm and the tray include a cam and roller arrangement that provides the operative association of the lid and the tray.

A container according to claim 9, wherein the arm includes a cam profile and the tray includes a roller in the shape of a tang coupled with the profile of the cam.

A container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the structure includes a protector and wherein the tray is arranged such that as a front edge thereof rotates it moves towards the open lid and a rear end thereof moves closely adjacent to the guard, wherein the trailing edge clears the guard for the removal of medical sharps and waste materials into the tray receptacle when the front end is proximate to the cover.

12. A container according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the tray is mounted rotatably on the structure and the structure is removably attached to the receptacle, where the stop arrangement can be released from the lid so that it can be moving beyond its open position and the structure can move relative to the receptacle to unclog the opening of the container to be emptied when the receptacle is inverted.

A container according to claim 12, wherein the structure is hingedly hinged to the receptacle opposite the articulated hinged connection of the lid to the receptacle.

A container according to claim 1, including a structure in which the rotary elimination means is rotatably mounted, the structure that is removably attached to the receptacle and can be moved relative to it to move the means of rotating removal away from the opening of the receptacle, wherein the closure is a lid and the lid can be moved beyond its open position to fully discover the receptacle opening whereby the container can be emptied of its contents by inverting the receptacle .

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein the rotary elimination means is a tray that can be folded and stored inside the container when the lid is in its closed position.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein the tray is inclined to remain in a resting position in the lid moving to its open position, the tray is accessible in its resting position so that materials are placed therein. sharps and waste doctors.

A container according to claim 16, wherein at the rest position for the tray, a portion thereof protrudes outwardly beyond the receptacle, to facilitate the placement therein of medical sharps and waste materials.

A container according to claim 17, wherein the resting position for the tray, the tray is inclined towards the interior of the receptacle to facilitate that a sharpshooter is placed therein, sliding through it to promote rotation of the container. the tray from its rest position to a position of elimination.

19. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is a t *. { , ^^ ¡^ ¡£ ^ lid and wherein the receptacle and the lid include intermeshing fasteners to hold the lid in its closed position to the receptacle.

A container according to claim 19, wherein the fastening elements define two clamped portions, a first of which can easily be released and the second of which can not be easily released, wherein the first clamped position is for the Use when the container is not full and the second subject position is for use when the container is full.

21. A container according to claim 20, wherein the second clamped position can be released by the use of a tool. ^^ ^^ éÁ ^^. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sharps container for receiving and storing medical waste and puncture materials that prevents access of the hands into the container has a wide access opening. The container (10) comprises a receptacle (11) having an opening that can be closed by a hinged lid (24) movable between an open and a closed position. A rotating tray (16) is mounted in the opening where for the open position of the lid (24), the tray (16) has a rest position in which it is accessible so that medical sharps materials are placed therein and of waste. The tray (16) can then be rotatably moved for the removal of medical and sharps waste materials from the same towards the receptacle. The tray (16) is arranged such that as it rotates a front edge thereof moves towards the open lid (24), and a rear end (23) thereof moves closely adjacent to a protector (35), where the trailing edge (23) clears the guard (35) for the removal of medical sharps and waste materials towards the? yg ^ ttM | gm A. receptacle from the tray (16) when the front edge of the tray is next to the lid (24), thus preventing access of the hands into the receptacle (11) for all positions of the tray (16) around of its axis of rotation. The tray (16) is tilted to return to its resting position. The lid (24) and the tray (16) are operatively associated such that as the lid opens from a closed position the tray (16) moves from a storage position within the receptacle (11) to its rest position. The tray (16) can be folded for easy storage within the receptacle (11) in the closure of the lid (24). * Í-3