Medical waste cart

Abstract

A medical waste cart includes an upper shelf configured to receive a first plurality of medical waste containers and a lower shelf configured to receive a second plurality of medical waste containers. The second plurality of medical waste containers includes a container having a lid. The cart includes an opening mechanism coupled to the lid. The opening mechanism includes an actuator, which may be a foot pedal in some embodiments. The opening mechanism is configured to open the lid in response to movement of the actuator.

Description

MEDICAL WASTE CARTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 581,941 filed on September 11, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 514,503 filed on July 19, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to medical waste carts for transporting medical waste containers.BACKGROUND

[0003] Sharp medical devices are used on patients in invasive procedures. Used medical devices are unclean, often having been in contact with blood or other bodily fluids of a patient and are still sharp. Thus, such devices necessitate strict requirements for post-use handling and disposal to ensure the safety of patients and medical staff. Many of these medical devices have a point or edge sharp enough to penetrate containers designated for common waste. Single-use medical devices are thus commonly disposed after use in a designated “sharps” container. In addition, other types of hazardous medical waste also must be collected and transported with extreme caution from a hospital or other medical care facility for disposal, such as emptied IV fluid bags, pharmaceutical waste, soiled cleaning wipes and other clean-up materials, used medical gloves and gowns, and empty medicine containers.

[0004] Sharps and other medical waste containers are well known to those who work in medical care facilities and are used to collect potentially dangerous medical waste for disposal by a service provider, including used sharp medical devices that are capable of cutting or penetrating skin or penetrating a conventional waste package container. For example, sharps containers may contain used syringes, needles, and broken glass. Different size sharps and medical waste containers are well known in the medical care industry. Disposal of such hazardous medical waste is governed by government safety rules and regulations.

[0005] These types of medical waste containers are typically placed throughout a hospital or medical facility in patient rooms, operating rooms, emergency rooms and other areas where needed. The location of the containers, however, may not always be convenient for the medical staff, resulting in inefficiencies and time away from patient care when treating a patient and also having to dispose of hazardous medical waste or sharps.SUMMARY

[0006] A need exists for improved efficiency in collecting and disposing medical waste while maintaining compliance with government safety regulations.

[0007] The present disclosure provides, among other things, a point-of-use repository, which is a medical waste cart in some embodiments, for nurses and staff to collect unwanted sharps and other medical waste without having to seek out a specific type of waste container that may be remotely located or divert attention from patient care. In some embodiments, the medical waste cart can accommodate four different sized and purposed key medical waste containers in one place. In other embodiments, the medical waste cart can accommodate different numbers of medical waste containers. The medical waste cart can easily be wheeled in and out of, for example, operating rooms, emergency rooms, and patient rooms as needed. By making multiple waste containers available where needed on a single mobile waste station, significant efficiencies can be achieved by the medical staff.

[0008] For example, in some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart including: an upper shelf configured to receive a first plurality of medical waste containers; a lower shelf configured to receive a second plurality of medical waste containers, the second plurality of medical waste containers including a container having a lid movable between a closed position preventing access to an interior of the container and an open position permitting access to the interior of the container; and an opening mechanism coupled to the lid, the opening mechanism including an actuator, the opening mechanism operable to move the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to movement of the actuator.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the actuator includes a foot pedal.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the lid is pivotable relative to a body of the container between the open position and the closed position.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the opening mechanism includes a first link coupled to the actuator and a second link pivotally coupled to the first link.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the opening mechanism includes a third link pivotally coupled to the second link and a lifter pivotally coupled to the third link, wherein the lifter is engageable with a projection on the lid to move the lid.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the second link forms a second-class lever to amplify the movement of the actuator.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, further including a base frame and a back coupled to the base frame, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to the base frame.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the second link is pivotally coupled to the back.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, further including a base frame and a back extending from the base frame, wherein the lower shelf is removably coupled to the base frame.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, further including a shelf frame coupled to the back, wherein the upper shelf is removably coupled to the shelf frame.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the base frame and the shelf frame are made of metal, and wherein the upper shelf and the lower shelf are made of plastic.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the upper shelf includes a first plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of the first plurality of medical waste containers, and wherein the lower shelf includes a second plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of the second plurality of medical waste containers.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart including: a base frame; a plurality of casters supporting the base frame; a back coupled to the base frame; a shelf frame extending from the back; an upper shelf configured to be removably coupled to the shelf frame, the upper shelf including a first plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a first plurality of medical waste containers; and a lower shelf configured to be removably coupled to the base frame, the lower shelf including a second plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a second plurality of medical waste containers.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, further including a handle pivotally coupled to the back and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the base frame and the shelf frame are made of metal, and wherein the upper shelf and the lower shelf are made of plastic.

[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the upper shelf is a first upper shelf configured to be removably coupled to the shelf frame and the first plurality of recesses has a first configuration, and further including a second upper shelf configured to be removably coupled to the shelf frame, the second upper shelf including a third plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a third plurality of medical waste containers, wherein the third plurality of recesses has a third configuration different from the first configuration.

[0024] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the lower shelf is a first lower shelf configured to be removably coupled to the baseframe and the second plurality of recesses has a second configuration, and further including a second lower shelf configured to be removably coupled to the base frame, the second lower shelf including a fourth plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a fourth plurality of medical waste containers, wherein the fourth plurality of recesses has a fourth configuration different from the second configuration.

[0025] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the medical waste cart is configured such that the upper shelf can be removably coupled to the medical waste cart at different positions above the lower shelf.

[0026] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the second plurality of medical waste containers includes a container having a lid movable between a closed position preventing access to an interior of the container and an open position permitting access to the interior of the container, and further including a hands-free opening mechanism coupled to the lid, the hands-free opening mechanism operable to move the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to movement of an actuator.

[0027] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a medical waste cart, wherein the hands-free opening mechanism is operable from a front side of the medical waste cart.

[0028] Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medical waste cart according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1 with a plurality of medical waste containers supported on the cart.

[0031] FIG. 3 A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 2, illustrating a lid opening mechanism operable to open a lid of a medical waste container supported on the cart.

[0032] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 2, illustrating a container bracket configured to couple the medical waste container to the cart.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 3 A, illustrating the lid opened by the lid opening mechanism.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an interface between the lid opening mechanism and the lid.

[0035] FIG. 6 is another perspective view illustrating the interface between the lid opening mechanism and the lid.

[0036] FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary user with the cart of FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 7B is a side view illustrating the exemplary user with the cart of FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 7C is a front view illustrating the exemplary user with the cart of FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 7D is a top view illustrating the exemplary user with the cart of FIG. 2.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a side view of the cart of FIG. 2.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a front view of the cart of FIG. 2.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lid according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 10, illustrating the lid in an open position.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a perspective, exploded view of the lid of FIG. 10, illustrating a latch mechanism of the lid.

[0045] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction andthe arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that spatial and directional terms such as upper, lower, front, back, and the like, as used herein, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a medical waste cart 110 embodying aspects of the present disclosure. The illustrated cart 110 includes a base frame 114 supporting a lower shelf 118, a back 122 extending upwardly from the base frame 114, a shelf frame 124 coupled to and extending from the back 122, and an upper shelf 126 supported by the shelf frame 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the base frame 114 and the shelf frame 124 are coupled to the back 122 by respective pairs of brackets 128; however, the base frame 114 and shelf frame 124 may be coupled to the back 122 in other ways (e.g., by cooperating features such as hooks and slots).

[0047] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the lower shelf 118 and the upper shelf 126 extend parallel to one another and perpendicular to the back 122. In some embodiments, the medical waste cart 110 may include one or more additional shelf frames and associated shelves between the lower shelf 118 and the upper shelf 126. The lower shelf 118, the back 122, and the upper shelf 126 are each generally rectangular in shape in the illustrated embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the lower shelf 118, the back 122, and / or the upper shelf 126 may have other shapes.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7A-D, the base frame 114 is supported by a plurality of wheels 130 (FIG. 1), which are pivoting caster wheels in the illustrated embodiment, enabling the cart 110 to be easily moved (including both translation and rotation) along a floor or other flat surface. A handle 134 is coupled to the back 122 and extends across the width of the rear side of back 122 (i.e., opposite the shelves 118, 126). In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 134 is positioned closer to the top of the back 122 than to the base frame 114 to facilitate a user grasping the handle 134. In some embodiments, the handle 134 is pivotable relative to the back 122 between a stowed position (not shown), in which a grip portion of the handle 134 is disposed close to, and in some embodiments, in contact with, the back 122, and a deployed position (seee.g., FIG. 1, FIG. 7D, FIG. 8) in which the grip portion of the handle 134 is spaced from the back 122. The movable handle 134 facilitates both movement of the cart 110 and storage of the cart 110. More particularly, when the handle 134 is in the stowed position, a size of the cart 110 (i.e the depth of cart 110) is decreased such that the cart 110 takes up less space in storage. In some embodiments, the cart 110 has a total weight of 40 pounds or less when unloaded (i.e., without any containers supported on the cart 110). This relatively light-weight construction, in combination with the caster wheels 130 and the handle 134, allows the cart 110 to be easily moved between workspaces. Portability of the cart 110 ensures that disposal containers can be nearby when they are required by medical staff.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower shelf 118 includes a first recess 138 and a second recess 142. Similarly, the upper shelf 126 includes a third recess 146 and a fourth recess 150. Some or all of the recesses 138, 142, 146, 150 may be differently positioned, oriented, sized or shaped in some embodiments, and may correspond with a particular type of medical waste container Cl, C2, C3, C4 (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the recesses 146, 150 on the upper shelf 126 are sized to accommodate 1 to 3 gallon containers, and the recesses 138, 142 on the lower shelf 118 are sized to accommodate 5 to 8 gallon containers. The recesses 138, 142, 146, 150 may be sized to accommodate other sized and shaped containers in yet other embodiments.

[0050] In some embodiments, one or more of the containers Cl, C2, C3, C4 may additionally or alternatively be secured to the back 122 of the cart 110 by one or more container brackets 152 (FIG. 2). The illustrated cart 110 includes a first container bracket 152a coupled to the back 122 above the lower shelf 118 and a second bracket 152b coupled to the back 122 below the lower shelf 118. The container bracket 152a is a lockable bracket in the illustrated embodiment and is configured to receive a neck portion of the container C2. The container bracket 152a may be, for example, the lockable mounting bracket described and illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 9,988,211, issued on June 5, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. The illustrated container bracket 152b is configured to receive a handle portion of the container C3, to prevent the container C3 from tipping. In some embodiments, the container bracket 152b may also be lockable. The recesses 138, 142, 146, 150, and the brackets152a, 152b retain the medical waste containers Cl, C2, C3, C4 on the cart 110 to prevent the containers Cl, C2, C3, C4 from shifting and falling off the cart 110.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the shelves 118, 126 are removably coupled to the frames 114, 124 (e.g., by a plurality of fasteners). As such, the shelves 118, 126 may be removed and interchanged with other shelves having differently positioned, oriented, sized, or shaped recesses. As such, the cart 110 is readily customizable to arrange the containers in different ways or to hold different types or sizes of containers simply by changing the shelves 118, 126 without requiring changes to other portions of the cart 110. The base frame 114 and the shelf frame 124 may be made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum tubing) and the shelves 118, 126 may be made of plastic. In some embodiments, the containers Cl, C2, C3, C4, the shelves 118, 126, and / or other components of the cart 110 may be coated in an anti-microbial coating, such as a copper-based coating.

[0052] One or more of the medical waste containers Cl, C2, C3, C4 may include a closure or lid to selectively allow access to an interior of the container. The cart 110 further includes an opening mechanism 154 that allows a user of the cart 110 (e.g., medical personnel) to open and close at least one of the containers Cl, C2, C3, C4, and particularly the container C3 in the illustrated embodiment, without directly touching the container. The illustrated opening mechanism 154 includes a lifter 162 removably coupled to a lid 166 of the container C3 and an actuator 158, such as a foot pedal. As described in greater detail below, the opening mechanism 154 is operable to open the container C3 by lifting the lid 166 in response to movement of the actuator 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 166 includes a first portion 166a coupled to the container C3 and a second portion 166b pivotably coupled to the first portion 166a. In other words, the first portion 166a defines a retaining member of the closure and the second portion 166b defines the movable portion of the closure, which can selectively be moved between an open and closed position.

[0053] With reference to FIG. 3B, the container bracket 152b is illustrated in more detail. The container bracket 152b includes a first retaining member 155 (e.g., a lower retaining member) and a second retaining member 157 (e.g., an upper retaining member). In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 166a of the lid 166 defines a handle 159 that may be grasped bythe user to move the container C3. The handle 159 is sized to be received between the first and second retaining members 155, 157 to selectively secure the container C3 to the cart 110 (e.g., via the bracket 152b). In particular, the container C3 may be pivoted to allow the handle 159 to be positioned underneath a lip 161 defined by the second retaining member 157 of the bracket 152b and released so the handle 159 is secured between the first and second retaining members 155, 157. To remove the container C3, the container C3 may be pivoted so the handle 159 moves underneath the lip 161 and out of engagement with the second retaining member 157. It should be appreciated that while the handle 159 engages the bracket 152b, the lid 166 or other portions of the container C3 may be sized to be received within the bracket 152b.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 3 A, the illustrated actuator 158 is a generally horizontally oriented lever disposed within or below the base frame 114. A front end 158a of the actuator 158 extends beyond a front of the base frame 114 to define a foot pedal. As such, the front end 158a of the actuator 158 is positioned at a front of the cart 110 (i.e., on the same side as the containers Cl, C2, C3, C4). The opening mechanism 154 thus allows users to open the lid 166 of the container C3 with their feet, keeping their hands-free. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening mechanism is coupled to the second portion 166b of the lid 166 and allows the user to pivot the second portion 166b relative to the first portion 166a to open the lid 166.

[0055] The illustrated actuator 158 is pivotally coupled to the base frame 114 at a first point Pl and is rotatable about the first point Pl. A rear end 158b of the actuator 158 extends rearward of the first point Pl and is coupled to a first link 170 at a second point P2. The rear end 158b of the actuator 158 may be fixed to the first link 170 in some embodiments or pivotally coupled to the first link 170 in other embodiments.

[0056] The first link 170 extends along or within the back 122 and is displaceable in a generally vertical direction in response to pivoting movement of the actuator 158 about the first point Pl. That is, downward movement of the front end 158a of the actuator 158 causes upward movement of the rear end 158b and the first link 170, and vice versa. A second link 174 is pivotally coupled to the first link 170 at a third point P3. The third point P3 is located between front and rear ends 174a, 174b of the second link 174. The rear end 174a of the second link 174 is pivotally coupled to the back 122 at a fourth point P4, and the front end 174a of the secondlink 174 is pivotally coupled to an end of a third link 178 at a fifth point P5. Finally, an opposite end of the third link 178 is pivotally coupled to the lifter 162 at sixth point P6. Because the points P3 and P5 are both disposed on the same side relative to the pivot point P4, the second link 174 forms a second-class lever. As such, a relatively small movement of the point P3 (due to input from the actuator 158 and first link 170) produces a much larger movement of the point P5, and with it, the third link 178, lifter 162, and lid 166.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 5-6, a projection 167 is fixed to the second portion 166b of the lid 166. The projection 167 includes a pair of opposed, laterally-extending wings 171. The lifter 162 includes a slot 163 that receives the laterally-extending wings 171 of the projection 167. The wings 171 are slidable through an open end of the slot 163 and configured to couple the lifter 162 with the lid 166 and to decouple the lifter from the lid 166. In other embodiments, the lifter 162 may be coupled to the lid 166 in any other suitable manner.

[0058] Operation of the opening mechanism 154 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. To open the lid 166 of the container C3, a user depresses the front end 158a of the actuator 158 (e.g., using the user’s foot). The downward motion of the actuator 158 rotates the actuator 158 in a counterclockwise direction (with reference to the orientation in FIG. 3 A) about the first point Pl . The counterclockwise rotation of the actuator 158 lifts the first link 170 connected to the rear end 158b of the actuator 158. The upward movement of the first link 170 rotates the second link 174 in a clockwise direction about the fourth point P4. As the second link 174 rotates in a clockwise direction, it pulls the third link 178 generally upward and rearward. This in turn causes upward and rearward movement of the lifter 162, which is pivotally coupled to the front end of the third link at the sixth point P6.

[0059] The container lid 166 (e.g., the second portion 166b) is pivotable relative to the body of the container C3 about a seventh point P7 in a clockwise direction from a closed position, illustrated in FIG. 3A, to an open position, illustrated in FIG. 4, permitting access to the interior of the container C3. Because the second link 174 forms a second-class lever, only a relatively small displacement of the actuator 158 and first link 170 is required to cause a larger movement of the third link 178 and the lid 166. In other words, the second-class lever amplifies the movement of the actuator 158. Release of the actuator 158 allows the container lid 166 (e.g.,the second portion 166b) to pivot back in a counterclockwise direction under the force of gravity to close the container C3. Thus, a user may open and close the lid 166 (e.g., the second portion 166b) of the container C3 without the use of hands to dispose of waste into the open container C3 from the front of cart 110.

[0060] Now with reference to FIGS. 10-12, another example of a lid 366 is illustrated. The lid 366 is similar to the lid 166 illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 but includes an alternative connection of a projection 367 to the lid 366. As such, like components are numbered with the same reference number plus “200”. It should also be appreciated that all of the components associated with the lid 366 may be used with the containers Cl, C2, C3, C4 illustrated in FIGS. 1-9.

[0061] The lid 366 includes a first portion 366a coupled to a container and a second portion 366b pivotably coupled to the first portion 366a. In other words, the first portion 366a defines a retaining member of the closure and the second portion 366b defines the movable portion of the closure, which can selectively be moved between an open and closed position. A projection 367 is selectively fixed to the second portion 366b of the lid 366. The projection 367 includes a pair of opposed, laterally-extending wings 371. The wings 371 are slidable through an open end of a slot (e.g., similar to the slot 163 in FIG. 5) configured to couple a lifter (e.g., the lifter 162 in FIG. 5) with the lid 366 and to decouple the lifter from the lid 366.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 12, the second portion 366b of the lid 366 includes a receiving aperture 375 sized to receive the projection 367 in a slidable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving aperture 375 includes a pair of guide rails 379 that are received within guide grooves 383 formed in the projection 367. A biasing structure 387 is also received within the receiving aperture 375 and is positioned between the projection 367 and the receiving aperture 375. The biasing structure 387 in the illustrated embodiment is made of a resilient plastic with wave-shaped ribs that allow the biasing structure 387 to be resiliently compressed in a longitudinal direction. As such, the biasing structure 387 biases the projection 367 forward while allowing limited translational movement of the projection 367 within the receiving aperture 375. In other embodiments, the biasing structure 387 may include one or more coilsprings, disc springs, leaf springs, repelling magnets, or any other arrangement suitable for biasing the projection 367 forward.

[0063] Now with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the projection 367 further includes a latch member 389 that is insertable into a latching aperture 393 (FIG. 11) formed in the first portion 366a of the lid 366. For example, as the second portion 366b of the lid 366 is moved towards the closed position from the open position, the latch member 389 (and with it, the projection 367) may move rearward (e.g., towards the seventh pivot point P7) over a protrusion 395 adjacent the latching aperture 393. As the projection 367 moves rearward, the biasing structure 387 is resiliently compressed. Once the latch member 389 clears the protrusion 395, the projection 367 may move forward (away from the seventh pivot point P7) under the influence of the biasing structure 387, so the latch member 389 is received within the latching aperture 393.

[0064] As the second portion 366b of the lid 366 is moved towards the open position from the closed position, the lifter 162 applies force to the projection 367 in both upward and rearward directions, due to the arrangement of the links 170, 174, 178. The rearward force component causes the projection 367 and the latch member 389 to move rearward (towards the seventh pivot point P7), compressing the biasing structure 387, so the latch member 389 clears the protrusion 395 adjacent the latching aperture 393. Once the latch member 389 clears the protrusion 395, the second portion 366b of the lid 366 may be moved towards the open position.

[0065] Thus, the opening mechanism 154 is able to both unlatch and open the second portion 366b of the lid 366 in a single operation, simply by depressing the actuator 158.

[0066] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.

[0067] Various features and aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A medical waste cart comprising: an upper shelf configured to receive a first plurality of medical waste containers; a lower shelf configured to receive a second plurality of medical waste containers, the second plurality of medical waste containers including a container having a lid movable between a closed position preventing access to an interior of the container and an open position permitting access to the interior of the container; and an opening mechanism coupled to the lid, the opening mechanism including an actuator, the opening mechanism operable to move the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to movement of the actuator.

2. The medical waste cart of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a foot pedal.

3. The medical waste cart of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotable relative to a body of the container between the open position and the closed position.

4. The medical waste cart of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism includes a first link coupled to the actuator and a second link pivotally coupled to the first link.

5. The medical waste cart of claim 4, wherein the opening mechanism includes a third link pivotally coupled to the second link and a lifter pivotally coupled to the third link, wherein the lifter is engageable with a projection on the lid to move the lid.

6. The medical waste cart of claim 4, wherein the second link forms a second-class lever to amplify the movement of the actuator.

7. The medical waste cart of claim 4, further comprising a base frame and a back coupled to the base frame, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to the base frame.

8. The medical waste cart of claim 7, wherein the second link is pivotally coupled to the back.

9. The medical waste cart of claim 5, wherein the projection is slidably coupled to the lid, wherein the projection includes a latch receivable within a recess to retain the lid in the closed position, and wherein the projection is slidable against a biasing structure to withdraw the latch from the recess in response to operation of the opening mechanism.

10. The medical waste cart of claim 9, further comprising a base frame, a back extending from the base frame, and a shelf frame coupled to the back, wherein the lower shelf is removably coupled to the base frame, and wherein the upper shelf is removably coupled to the shelf frame.

11. The medical waste cart of claim 10, wherein the base frame and the shelf frame are made of metal, and wherein the upper shelf and the lower shelf are made of plastic.

12. The medical waste cart of claim 1, wherein the upper shelf includes a first plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of the first plurality of medical waste containers, and wherein the lower shelf includes a second plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of the second plurality of medical waste containers.

13. A medical waste cart comprising: a base frame; a plurality of casters supporting the base frame; a back coupled to the base frame; a shelf frame extending from the back; an upper shelf configured to be removably coupled to the shelf frame, the upper shelf including a first plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a first plurality of medical waste containers; and a lower shelf configured to be removably coupled to the base frame, the lower shelf including a second plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a second plurality of medical waste containers.

14. The medical waste cart of claim 13, further comprising a handle pivotally coupled to the back and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

15. The medical waste cart of claim 13, wherein the base frame and the shelf frame are made of metal, and wherein the upper shelf and the lower shelf are made of plastic.

16. The medical waste cart of claim 13, wherein the upper shelf is a first upper shelf and the first plurality of recesses has a first configuration, and further comprising a second upper shelf configured to be removably coupled to the shelf frame, the second upper shelf including a third plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a third plurality of medical waste containers, wherein the third plurality of recesses has a third configuration different from the first configuration.

17. The medical waste cart of claim 13, wherein the lower shelf is a first lower shelf and the second plurality of recesses has a second configuration, and further comprising a second lower shelf configured to be removably coupled to the base frame, the second lower shelf including a fourth plurality of recesses each configured to receive a corresponding one of a fourth plurality of medical waste containers, wherein the fourth plurality of recesses has a fourth configuration different from the second configuration.

18. The medical waste cart of claim 13, wherein the medical waste cart is configured such that the upper shelf can be removably coupled to the medical waste cart at different positions above the lower shelf.

19. The medical waste cart of claim 13, wherein the second plurality of medical waste containers includes a container having a lid movable between a closed position preventing access to an interior of the container and an open position permitting access to the interior of the container, and further comprising a hands-free opening mechanism coupled to the lid, the handsfree opening mechanism operable to move the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to movement of an actuator.

20. The medical waste cart of claim 19, wherein the hands-free opening mechanism is operable from a front side of the medical waste cart.

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