Sharps disposal apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for the disposal of sharps such as single use needles, scalpel blades and the like comprises a housing 14 having an enclosing wall 18 (Figure 1), an entry aperture 90 in the housing for r

Description

30 04 25 The present invention relates to apparatus for the disposal of sharps and in particular, but not exclusively, for the disposal of medical sharps. 5 The term “sharps” typically refers to disposable items which have sharp points or edges which could cause injury when handled, and includes medical items used in a healthcare environment such as single use needles, scalpel blades and the like which have been in contact with a patient and therefore have the potential to transmit pathogens to healthcare 10 professionals. It is known to dispose of sharps in sharps containers, which typically comprise a sturdy plastic container having an aperture through which used sharps can be fed. However, with some known sharps containers the sharps can sometimes tend to accumulate fairly randomly within 15 the container. As a result, the sharps take up more space than would be the case if they were accumulated in a more ordered manner and therefore the container often fills up more quickly than might be expected. In addition, although most known sharps containers have a closure flap which can be 20 temporarily closed over the aperture and / or firmly shut over the aperture when the container is full, when the flap is open it is possible for sharps to fall out of the container through the aperture and it is desirable to reduce the likelihood of sharps inadvertently being discharged from the sharps container. 25 In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for the disposal of sharps comprises: a housing having an enclosing wall; an entry aperture in the housing for receipt of sharps; and an inclined plate member located within the housing below the level of the entry 30 aperture; wherein the plate member is spaced from the enclosing wall of the housing to define a gap for the passage of sharps introduced into the housing through the entry aperture and the inclined plate member is pivotally or hingedly mounted by means of a living or integral hinge and is reversibly deflectable from a normal, undeflected position. 35 The plate member helps to orientate sharps towards a more horizontal orientation, which encourages the sharps to accumulate more horizontally, resulting in a more efficient filling of 30 04 25 the apparatus as compared with conventional sharps containers in which the filling is more random. The sharps then fall through the gap and accumulate below the plate member. The plate member also makes it more difficult for sharps within the apparatus to fall out 5 inadvertently, for example if the apparatus falls over or is inverted and a closure flap is not in a temporary or permanently closed position over the aperture. This also allows larger sharps to be inserted through the entry aperture, resulting in temporary downward deflection of the plate member which temporarily increases the width of the gap 10 between the plate member and the enclosing wall of the housing, after which the plate member returns to its normal rest position. Preferably, the entry aperture is located in an upper portion of the housing. This allows sharps to be inserted through the entry aperture and to fall vertically onto the plate member. 15 For example, the entry aperture may be located in a top wall portion of the housing. Preferably, the inclined plate member is located directly below at least a portion of the entry aperture. 20 The inclined plate member, in use, may be located vertically below at least a portion of the entry aperture. The inclined plate may comprise a flap member. 25 Preferably, the inclined plate member is planar. Preferably, in use, the inclined plate member is downwardly inclined from the vicinity of the entry aperture with respect to a horizontal plane. 30 The entry aperture may comprise an elongate entry portion having a defined width. This helps to encourage users to present elongate sharps, e.g. used needles, at an angle rather than vertically, so that the sharps are likely to be more aligned towards the direction of the elongate entry portion, which further encourages the sharps to accumulate more horizontally within the 35 apparatus after they have passed through the aperture and fallen through the gap between the plate member and the enclosing wall. 30 04 25 For example, the entry aperture may comprise a main aperture portion and an elongate entry portion having a longitudinal axis extending across the main aperture portion. Preferably, the housing and the inclined plate member are formed integrally. 5 The housing may comprise a recess in which the entry aperture is located. The entry aperture may be located at the base of the recess. 10 The recess may be elongate. This further encourages a user to present elongate sharps horizontally. The apparatus may comprise a closure member for closing off the entry aperture. 15 The closure member may comprise a flap member. The flap member may be pivotally or hingedly connected. The apparatus may comprise means for retaining the closure member in a closed position. 20 The apparatus may comprise upper and lower housing portions which are securable together. The entry aperture is preferably formed in the upper housing portion. 25 By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front, one side and above of a first embodiment of sharps disposal apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 30 Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view from the rear, opposite side and above of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section through a container which is one component of the sharps 35 disposal apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view from the front, one side and above of a cap portion which is another component of the apparatus of Figure 1, shown with a closure flap in an open position; Figure 5 is a perspective view from the rear, other side and above of the cap portion of Figure 5 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of the cap portion of Figure 4; Figure 7 is an inverted plan view of the cap portion of Figure 4; 10 Figure 8 is a plan view, to an enlarged scale, of a flap portion which forms part of the cap portion of Figure 4; Figure 9 is a plan view of the cap portion of Figure 4, shown with the closure flap in a closed 15 position; Figure 10 is a perspective view from the rear, other side and above of the cap portion of Figure 4, partly in cross-section; 20 Figure 11 is a vertical cross-section through the cap portion of Figure 4; 30 04 25 Figure 12 is a vertical cross-section, to an enlarged scale, of a portion of the lower rim of the cap portion of Figure 4; Figure 13 is a vertical cross-section, to an enlarged scale, proportion of the upper rim of a container which forms part of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 14 is a perspective view from the front, one side and above of a second embodiment of sharps disposal apparatus in accordance with the present invention. A first embodiment 10 of sharps disposal apparatus is illustrated in Figures 1 to 13 and comprises an open topped container 12 and a cap portion 14 mounted on an upper peripheral rim 16 of the container 12. The container 12 is formed from a one-piece moulding of polypropylene and comprises a base wall 16 which is rectangular in shape with rounded corners. The base wall 16 is generally planar, but as best seen in Figure 3, is slightly domed so that the portions of the base wall located inwardly of the periphery project very slightly into the interior of the container in order to ensure that the container 12 rests on the peripheral portions of the base wall 16, which improves stability. An enclosing wall 18 extends upwardly from the periphery of the base wall 16 and, together with the base wall 16 defines an enclosing volume 20 within the container. As shown in the drawings, the enclosing wall 16 comprises generally planar front and rear wall portions 22, 24 and substantially identical generally planar side wall portions 26, 28, the sidewall portions merging smoothly with the front and rear wall portions by means of rounded edges 30. The planar front and rear wall portions 22, 24 and planar sidewall portions 26, 28 do not extend perpendicularly to the plane of the base wall 16 but instead are inclined slightly outwardly with respect to the perpendicular, so that the container flares upwardly. This allows several identical containers 12 to be stacked together in a nested configuration, which significantly reduces the required storage and packaging volume. As best seen in Figure 3, a respective, identical vertically-extending planar spacing flanges 32 extend inwardly into the enclosing volume 20 of the container 12 from the inner face of the lower end of each of the rounded corners 30 of the container. The uppermost ends of each of the spacing flanges 32 is complementarily-shaped with the outer surface of the lowermost corners of identical container 12. This ensures that when identical containers are stacked together in a nested configuration, the base of an adjacent upper, inner container 12 is spaced from the base of an adjacent lower, outer container 12, which helps to prevent stacked containers from sticking together and facilitates denesting of stacked containers when required. The uppermost edge of the enclosing wall of the container 12 is formed into an overturned lip 36 which is shown in more detail in Figure 12. As will be explained, the overturned lip 36 is configured to be a secure press fit with a generally complementarily-shaped peripheral receiving portion 38 on the lower periphery of the cap portion 14. It will also be observed that a looped handle 40 extends from the lip 36 of the container 12 above the rear wall portion 24. The handle 40 is integrally moulded with the rest of the container 12 and is attached to the overturned lip 36 at two spaced-apart locations 42. The cap portion 14 comprises a top wall portion 50 which is generally planar and is rectangular in shape with rounded comers. An upper skirt portion 52 extends downwardly from the periphery of the top wall portion 50 and comprises planar front and rear wall portions 54, 56 and identical planar sidewall portions 58, 60 which merge smoothly with the top wall portion 50 by means of a rounded peripheral edge 62 and which merge smoothly with each other by means of rounded edges 64. The front and rear wall portions 54, 56 and sidewall portions 58, 60 of the upper skirt portion 52 do not extend perpendicularly to the plane of the top wall portion 50 but instead are inclined outwardly to the perpendicular so that the upper skirt portion 52 flares outwardly. The lower periphery of the skirt portion 52 is formed into a shoulder portion 66 whose undersurface (shown in more detail in Figures 11 and 12) is shaped to receive and retain the peripheral lip 36 at the upper end of the container 12, as will be explained. As shown in the Figures, the rearmost part 50a of the top wall portion 50 is inclined slightly downwardly towards the rear wall 56 of the skirt portion 52 and is provided with an upper recess 70 formed from an approximately semi-elliptical portion 72 which merges with two parallel side portions 74, 76. Extending vertically downwards from the periphery of the recess is an approximately semi-elliptical upstanding wall 78, having a recessed portion 79 at its centre for securing a closure flap 120, as will be explained. Extending horizontally inwardly from the base of the upstanding wall 78 and from the upper edge of the rear wall portion 56 of the skirt portion 52 is a planar floor 80 in which an elliptical lower recess 82 is formed. An elliptical upstanding wall 84 extends vertically downwards from the periphery of the elliptical recess 82 and a planar floor 86 extends inwardly, perpendicularly to the upstanding wall 84 from the two ends of the lower recess 82. A sharps entry aperture 90 is formed in the planar floor 86 of the lower recess 82 and comprises a central portion 92 having straight side walls extending parallel to the sidewall portions 58,60 of the skirt portion 52 between the lower ends of opposed upstanding portions of the upstanding wall 84, and an elongated portion 94 whose longitudinal axis 96 extends perpendicularly to the side walls of the central portion 90 of the aperture and which is formed by identical opposed recesses 98, 100 having parallel sidewall portions and a semicircular end portion. A portion of the planar floor 86 adjacent one end of the elliptical lower recess 82 is provided with a star-shaped aperture 112 to assist in disconnection of needles from a syringe, as will be explained, and a portion of the planar floor 86 adjacent the other end of the elliptical lower recess 82 is provided with a notch 114 for disconnection of a Luer lock or slip, as will be explained. A closure flap 120 is hingedly attached to the upper edge of the rear wall portion 56 by means of a so-called living hinge or integral hinge 122. The outer periphery of the closure flap 120 is shaped complementarily with the shape of the upper recess 70 of the cap portion 14 and the inner face of the closure flap is formed into an elliptical projection 124 which is shaped complementarily with the shape of the elliptical lower recess 82 and the upstanding wall 84. The closure flap 120 is pivotable through approximately 180° from an open position shown in the figures (although the flap 120 can be arranged to be pivotable through an angle greater than 180°, if desired) to a closed position shown in Figure 9 in which the elliptical projection 124 on the closure flap is received in the elliptical lower recess 82, thereby closing off the sharps entry aperture 90. The engagement of the flap 120 in the recess 82 is facilitated by two recesses 126 in the outer surface of the elliptical projection 124 for receipt of a user’s thumbs, and the flap 120 is firmly retained in the closed position by means of a closure tab 128 on the flap 20 which engages with a complementarily-shaped recess 79 in the upstanding wall 78. As best seen in the figures, a plate member in the form of a flap 130 is located within the cap portion 14 at a position below the level of the entry aperture 90 and vertically below a portion of the aperture 90, as best seen in, for example, Figures 5 to 11. As best seen in Figure 8, which shows the flap 130 to an enlarged scale, the flap 130 is planar and is generally rectangular in shape, having two straight side edges 132, 134, slightly convex front and rear edges 136,138 and rounded corners between the side walls and the front and rear walls. The flap 130 is connected by means of an integrally formed angled tab 140 extending between the innermost lower portion of the periphery of the entry aperture 90 and the rear wall 136 of the flap 130. The tab 140 is provided with an integrally formed so-called living hinge or integral hinge 142. As shown in the figures, the rear wall portion 138 of the flap 130 to which the tab 140 is attached is at a higher level than the front wall portion 136 such that the flap 130 is inclined downwardly from the vicinity of the entry aperture 90, at an angle of approximately 22° with respect to the planar floor 86 in which the sharps entry aperture 90 is located. However, the living hinge 142 enables the flap 130 to be resiliently deflected from that position in either direction, but to return to that position after being deflected. The rear edge 138 of the flap 130 is spaced from the interior face of the cap portion 14 and defines a gap 144 through which sharps may fall downwards, into the container 12, as will be explained. In use, the cap portion 14 is fitted onto the overturned lip 36 at the upper end of the container 12 with the closure flap 120 of the cap portion 14 in the opened position, as shown in the figures. As shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 12, the receiving portion 38 of the cap portion 14 comprises an outer flange portion 146 extending around its periphery and flared slightly outwardly at an angle of approximately 5°. The inner face of the flange portion 146 is provided with an inwardly projecting rib 148 extending around its periphery and a continuous flange 150 located inwardly of the flange portion 146 extends from the inner face of the receiving portion 38. The flange 150 extends generally perpendicularly to the plane of the top wall portion 50 and tapers slightly towards its free end. An annular receiving recess 152 is defined between the outer face of the flange 150 and the inner face of the receiving portion 38. As shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 13, the upper peripheral rim of the container 12 comprises the overturned lip 36 around its periphery, as explained previously. The overturned lip 36 is generally of the same shape as the annular receiving recess 152 of the cap portion 14 and can be fitted into the recess 152 by deflecting it inwardly, as shown by the arrow A in Figure 13. In addition, located inwardly of the overturned lip 36 is a peripherally extending channel 156 which is shaped to receive the flange portion 146 of the cap portion 14. As the cap portion 14 is fitted onto the upper end of the container 12, the flange portion 146 of the cap portion 14 is received in the channel 156 at the upper end of the container 12 and as the cap portion 14 is pressed further onto the container 12 the overturned lip 36 of the container 12 is deflected inwardly as described previously, and ultimately is received in the annular receiving recess of the cap portion 14. In that position, the outer end of the overturned lip 36 is engaged with the upper face of the inwardly projecting rib 148, thereby securely retaining the cap portion 14 in position on the upper end of the container 12. The assembled sharps disposal apparatus 10 is then ready for use. Used sharps can then be inserted into the apparatus 10 via the sharps entry aperture 90. After the sharps have passed through the aperture 90, they encounter the flap 130 which is located below the level of the amateur and which extends partly across the aperture when viewed from above. The presence of the flap 130 helps to orientate sharps towards a more horizontal orientation, which encourages the sharps to lie more horizontally within the container 12, resulting in a more efficient filling of the container as compared with known sharps containers in which the filling is more random. The sharps then fall through the gap 144 between the flap 130 and the inner wall of the cap portion 14, and into the container 12. The flap 130 also makes it more difficult for sharps within the container 12 to fall out inadvertently, for example if the sharps disposal apparatus 10 falls over or is inverted. In addition, although the flap 130 is located below a significant proportion of the aperture 90 when viewed from above, the hinged mounting of the flap 130 allows larger sharps to be inserted through the aperture 90, resulting in temporary downward displacement of the flap 130 which temporarily increases the width of the gap 144 between the flap and the inner wall of the cap portion 14, after which the flap 130 springs back into its normal rest position, as shown in the figures. In addition, the elongated portion 98 of the aperture 90 encourages users to present elongate sharps orientated substantially horizontally so that they are aligned with the elongated portion 98, which further encourages the sharps to lie more horizontally within the container. The upper and lower recesses 70, 82 are also arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion 98 of the aperture 90, which further encourages a user to present elongate sharps horizontally. It should also be noted that the star-shaped aperture 112 adjacent to the aperture 90 is shaped to receive elongate radially projecting flanges on the base of a needle which is connected to a syringe. The needle can be inserted into the aperture 112 to engage the flanges with the aperture, thereby allowing the syringe to be unscrewed from the needle. The needle can then either for directly into the container or can be removed from the aperture 112 and inserted through the aperture 90 as described previously. Similarly, the notch 114 on the opposite side of the aperture 90 from the star-shaped aperture 112 facilitates disconnection of needles and other equipment attached by means of a Luer lock or slip. When the sharps disposal apparatus 10 has reached its capacity with used sharps, the closure flap 120 of the cap portion 14 is pivoted to its closed position as described previously, and is securely retained in the closed position by engagement of the tab 128 with the corresponding recess 79 in the periphery of the upper recess 70. The filled sharps disposal apparatus 10 can then be removed for final disposal of the sharps and, potentially, for recycling of the materials of the container. A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 14. The second embodiment 10’ is very similar to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used to identify corresponding features. Indeed the only difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment the capacity of the container 12’ is increased, in this instance to 7 litres. All other features, including the cap portion 14 and the interengagement of the cap portion 14 with the upper peripheral rim of the container 12’ are identical to those of the first embodiment. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example, it is not necessary for the sharps entry aperture 90 to be located at the base of one or more recesses in the cap portion 14. Instead, the sharps entry aperture may be located directly on an outer face of the cap portion. In addition, the shape of the sharps entry aperture 90 may be different from that described in the above embodiments. For example, the aperture may be in the form of an elongate aperture, particularly if the sharps disposal apparatus is intended to receive elongate used sharps. Furthermore, although the flap on 30 is described as being resiliently deflectable, it would be possible to use instead a rigid, non-deflectable plate or a rigid, hingedly mounted plate. In addition, although the above embodiments are describes as being made from polypropylene, other materials can be used, if desired.

Claims

30 04 251. Apparatus for the disposal of sharps, comprising:a housing having an enclosing wall;5 an entry aperture in the housing for receipt of sharps; andan inclined plate member located within the housing below the level of the entry aperture;wherein the plate member is spaced from the enclosing wall of the housing to define a gap for the passage of sharps introduced into the housing through the entry aperture and the 10 inclined plate member is pivotally or hingedly mounted by means of a living or integral hinge and is reversibly deflectable from a normal, undeflected position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entry aperture is located in an upper portion of the housing.

153. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the entry aperture is located in a top wall portion of the housing.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inclined plate member is located directly 20 below at least a portion of the entry aperture.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inclined plate member, in use, is located vertically below at least a portion of the entry aperture.25 6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined platecomprises a flap member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined plate member is planar.

308. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the inclined plate member is downwardly inclined from the vicinity of the entry aperture with respect to a horizontal plane.35 9. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the entry aperturecomprises an elongate entry portion having a defined width.30 04 2510. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the entry aperture comprises a main aperture portion and an elongate entry portion having a longitudinal axis extending across the main aperture portion.5 11. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing and theinclined plate member are formed integrally.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a recess in which the entry aperture is located.1013. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the entry aperture is located at the base of the recess.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the recess is elongate.1515. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a closure member for closing off the entry aperture.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the closure member comprises a flap 20 member.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the flap member is pivotally or hingedly connected.25 18. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, comprising means for retaining theclosure member in a closed position.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises upper and lower housing portions which are securable together.3020. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the entry aperture is formed in the upper housing portion.

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