Patent · US Expired

Syringe disposal apparatus and method

US4905916A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
16References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 27, 1989
Grant dateMar 6, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S241/606
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit and a process unit. The collection unit has an in-feed mechanism to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit; and an interlock mechanism suitable for removably securing the collection unit to the processing unit and emptying the syringes from the collection unit into the processing unit. The processing unit contains an interlock mechanism suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism; a grinder suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; and a crucible assembly suitable for heating these particles above the melting point of plastic, and then cooling to produce a solid puck of plastic in which the metal particles are suspended and encapsulated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.