US5097950A — System for the disposal of medical waste

Claim 1

Independent Claim 120 words

A container for receiving medical sharps, comprising: a receptacle having an open end for receiving the sharps therethrough and a main body for storing the sharps therein; and constricting means having a portion integral to the container, and further including a plastic, snap-in insert substantially between said open end and said main body of said receptacle for restricting access to said main body and for retaining the medical sharps within said main body of said receptacle, wherein said constricting means portion comprises a wide mouth, a substantially rigid reduced diameter throat having a length connecting said mouth to said main body, and a taper from said mouth to said throat wherein a progressively constricted access to said receptacle is formed.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 120 words

A container for receiving medical sharps, comprising: a receptacle having an open end for receiving the sharps therethrough and a main body for storing the sharps therein; and constricting means having a portion integral to the container, and further including a plastic, snap-in insert substantially between said open end and said main body of said receptacle for restricting access to said main body and for retaining the medical sharps within said main body of said receptacle, wherein said constricting means portion comprises a wide mouth, a substantially rigid reduced diameter throat having a length connecting said mouth to said main body, and a taper from said mouth to said throat wherein a progressively constricted access to said receptacle is formed.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

The container of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises: a rigid walled structure generally puncture resistent to the sharps.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 12 words

The container of claim 2, wherein said rigid walled structure comprises polycarbonate.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

The container of claim 2, wherein said rigid walled structure comprises polypropylene.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 13 words

The container of claim 1, further including: a cap for enclosing the container.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The container of claim 1, further including means for externally interconnecting an attachment to the container.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 13 words

The container of claim 6, wherein said attachment comprises another externally adjacent container.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The container of claim 1, wherein said open end is adapted to removably receive a syringe needle capping and uncapping device which fits partially within said open end.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said main body is semi-transparent to permit external observation of contents of said main body.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 10 words

The container of claim 9, wherein the container comprises polycarbonate.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 10 words

The container of claim 9, wherein the container comprises polypropylene.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 92 words

A container for medical nonsharps, comprising; a bag assembly including at least one bag and a header having a slot therein; and support means for supporting said bag assembly, said support means including a first member for receiving a first side portion of said one bag while said header holds a second side portion of said bag opposite said first side portion, wherein said header orients said bag relative to said support means in order to provide an opening in said bag for receiving nonsharps inserted through said slot of said header.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 92 words

A container for medical nonsharps, comprising; a bag assembly including at least one bag and a header having a slot therein; and support means for supporting said bag assembly, said support means including a first member for receiving a first side portion of said one bag while said header holds a second side portion of said bag opposite said first side portion, wherein said header orients said bag relative to said support means in order to provide an opening in said bag for receiving nonsharps inserted through said slot of said header.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The container of claim 12, wherein said at least one bag comprises: a plurality of flexible plastic bags, wherein during use only one of said bags is oriented for receiving nonsharps through said slot.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The container of claim 13, wherein said plastic bags further comprise: means for sealing each of said bags.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The container of claim 14, wherein said means for sealing comprises: a removably covered adhesive strip on each of said bags.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

The container of claim 12, wherein said bag is attached to said header by sonic bonding.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The container of claim 12, wherein said support means comprises: a rigid walled structure constructed and arranged to receive said bag assembly with said at least one bag suspended therein.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 11 words

The container of claim 17, wherein said rigid structure comprises ABS.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 13 words

The container of claim 17, wherein said rigid structure comprises high impact polystyrene.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

The container of claim 12, wherein said header further comprises: a first member having said feed slot therethrough; and means for attaching said first member to said means for supporting.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 68 words

The container of claim 20, wherein said means for attaching comprises: a first hinged flap on one edge of said first member matingly received by said support means; and another hinged flap on an edge of said first member opposite said first flap, wherein said other hinged flap is matingly received by said support means with said first member positioned between said first flap and said other flap.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The container of claim 20, wherein said feed slot is generally oval.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 14 words

The container of claim 20, wherein said feed slot further includes an opening protector.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 18 words

The container of claim 20, wherein said feed slot is smaller than said opening for receiving the nonsharps.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

The container of claim 20, further including means for interconnecting at least one attachment to the container.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 50 words

The container of claim 25, wherein said means for interconnecting comprises: at least one Y-shaped slot on a wall of the container for receiving a tab on said attachment, said Y-shaped slot including a flap, wherein upon insertion of said tab into said slot, said flap locks said tab therein.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

The container of claim 26, wherein said tab comprises a T-shaped locking tab.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 11 words

The container of claim 25, wherein said attachment comprises another container.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

The container of claim 28, wherein said other container comprises: a medical glove dispenser.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 16 words

The container of claim 12, further comprising means for mounting the container to a vertical surface.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 138 words

A container for receiving medical sharps, comprising: a receptacle having an open end for receiving the sharps therethrough and a main body for storing the sharps therein; constricting means integral to the container and substantially between said open end and said main body of said receptacle for restricting access to said main body and for retaining the medical sharps within said main body of said receptacle, wherein said constricting means comprises a wide mouth, a substantially rigid reduced diameter throat having a length connecting said mouth to said main body, and a taper from said mouth to said throat wherein a progressively constricted access to said receptacle is formed; and a cap for enclosing the container, wherein said cap is stored in a sidewall of the container, said sidewall formed to define a recess for receiving said cap.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 138 words

A container for receiving medical sharps, comprising: a receptacle having an open end for receiving the sharps therethrough and a main body for storing the sharps therein; constricting means integral to the container and substantially between said open end and said main body of said receptacle for restricting access to said main body and for retaining the medical sharps within said main body of said receptacle, wherein said constricting means comprises a wide mouth, a substantially rigid reduced diameter throat having a length connecting said mouth to said main body, and a taper from said mouth to said throat wherein a progressively constricted access to said receptacle is formed; and a cap for enclosing the container, wherein said cap is stored in a sidewall of the container, said sidewall formed to define a recess for receiving said cap.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 27 words

The container of claim 31, wherein said recess is into said sidewall such that said cap is substantially flush with said sidewall when positioned in said recess.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

The container of claim 31, wherein said cap is shaped to be received within said constricting means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 27 words

The container of claim 33, wherein said constricting means further comprises: retaining members for snapping said cap in place in said constricting means to close the container.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 85 words

A medical disposal device, comprising: a nonsharps container adapted for receiving at least one disposable receptacle therein in an open orientation; a disposable sharps container; and interconnection means for attaching said sharps container to said nonsharps container, including: a holder removably attached to said nonsharps container, wherein a tab on the holder fits into a Y-shaped slot on a wall of the nonsharps container, said Y-shaped slot including a flap, wherein upon insertion of said tab into said slot, said flap locks said tab therein.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 85 words

A medical disposal device, comprising: a nonsharps container adapted for receiving at least one disposable receptacle therein in an open orientation; a disposable sharps container; and interconnection means for attaching said sharps container to said nonsharps container, including: a holder removably attached to said nonsharps container, wherein a tab on the holder fits into a Y-shaped slot on a wall of the nonsharps container, said Y-shaped slot including a flap, wherein upon insertion of said tab into said slot, said flap locks said tab therein.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 35, further comprising: a bracket for attachment of the device to a vertical surface.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 73 words

A medical disposal device comprising: a nonsharps container comprising: (a) a plurality of disposable receptacles for receiving nonsharps; (b) means for supporting said receptacles; (c) header means associated with said means for supporting, wherein one of said receptacles is positioned on said means for supporting and said header means, in an open orientation to receive said nonsharps; a disposable sharps container; and interconnection means for attaching said sharps container to said nonsharps container.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 73 words

A medical disposal device comprising: a nonsharps container comprising: (a) a plurality of disposable receptacles for receiving nonsharps; (b) means for supporting said receptacles; (c) header means associated with said means for supporting, wherein one of said receptacles is positioned on said means for supporting and said header means, in an open orientation to receive said nonsharps; a disposable sharps container; and interconnection means for attaching said sharps container to said nonsharps container.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 37, wherein said plurality of disposable receptacles comprises: flexible plastic bags.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 38, wherein said plastic bags further comprise: means for sealing each of said bags prior to disposal of said bags.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 37, wherein said means for supporting comprises: a structure constructed and arranged to receive said header means with said disposable receptacles depending therefrom.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 37, wherein said header means comprises: a first member having a feed slot therethrough; and means for attaching said first member to said means for supporting.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 107 words

A header for use with a medical disposables container, comprising: a first member having an opening slot therethrough; means for attaching said member to a support integral to the container, said means for attaching comprising a first slotted portion for receiving a first flap of said first member and a second slotted portion spaced apart from said first slotted portion for receiving a second flap of said member wherein said opening slot is positioned between said first and second slotted portions; and receiving means interconnected to said member and said support, wherein the disposables are deposited in said receiving means through said opening slot in said member.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 107 words

A header for use with a medical disposables container, comprising: a first member having an opening slot therethrough; means for attaching said member to a support integral to the container, said means for attaching comprising a first slotted portion for receiving a first flap of said first member and a second slotted portion spaced apart from said first slotted portion for receiving a second flap of said member wherein said opening slot is positioned between said first and second slotted portions; and receiving means interconnected to said member and said support, wherein the disposables are deposited in said receiving means through said opening slot in said member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-03-24	1995-09-23	1996-03-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-03-24	1999-09-23	2000-03-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-03-24	2003-09-23	2004-03-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for the disposal of medical waste

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