Patent · US Expired

Sharps destruction and disposal apparatus

US5273221A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
39References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 19, 1992
Grant dateDec 28, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 19, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S241/606
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for safe disposal of hypodermic syringes, needles and other small, contaminated instruments such as, for example, scalpel blades, stitch cutters etc. (Commonly referred to as "sharps"). The apparatus firstly comprises a collection container having a primary lid which is movable between an open position and a closed position and is releasable latched in the closed position. The latch mechanism is adapted to be released when the contain is brought into cooperation with a destructor apparatus. The destructor apparats comprised a disposal receptacle adapted to receive the container and unlatch the lid, and a destructor means. adapted to generally comminute the material deposited therein. The destructor apparatus has an inlet and an outlet, a plurality of rotating blades which cooperate with two cutting plates which are arranged to define a flow path for the material between the inlet and the outlet. The cutting blades and the cutting plates cooperate to comminute the material by impact and cutting action. The present invention provides a convenient means of disposing of sharps generally without risk to the person handling the sha…

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