Syringe disposal apparatus and method
US5046669A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1990 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S241/606
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit (1) and a processing unit (2'). The collection unit (1) has an in-feed mechanism (11) to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit (1); and an interlock mechanism (12) suitable for removably securing the collection unit (1) to the processing unit (2') and emptying the syringes from the collection unit (1) into the processing unit (2'). The processing unit (2') contains an interlock mechanism (20) suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism (11); a hammer mill (43) for initially breaking up the syringes (45) into discrete pieces (45'); a paddle wheel (44) to regulate the passage of the broken syringe pieces to a grinder (21) suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; a crucible assembly (22) 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; and a controlling means (50) to coordinate the efficient operation of the members of the processing unit (2').
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.