Dual-Wall Sharps Container With Shock-Absorbing Buffer Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sharps disposal containers lack effective dual-layer protection and shock absorption, risking puncture and biohazard release during handling and transport, especially when exposed to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A dual-wall sharps dispensing and disposal system with an inner puncture-resistant sharps disposal container suspended within an outer sharps dispensing container, forming a buffer zone and using elastic support members to absorb shocks, preventing needle punctures and biohazard leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-wall sharps disposal container is used, then the device complexity is low, but the protection against needle punctures and biohazard release is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested dual-container structure where an inner sharps disposal container is positioned inside an outer dispensing container. The inner container holds used sharps while the outer container provides additional protection and houses unused sharps. This nesting arrangement creates multiple barriers against needle punctures without requiring a completely new container design, thus improving reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inner container for sharps disposal, an outer container for dispensing and additional protection, and a buffer zone separating them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while collectively providing enhanced protection against biohazard release.
2Reliability
If no buffer zone is provided between inner and outer walls, then the device complexity is low, but the shock absorption capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a buffer zone between the inner and outer container walls that is specifically designed to absorb shocks and impacts before they can reach the sharps-containing inner container. This cushioning space acts as a shock-absorbing barrier that protects the sharps from external forces during handling and transport, improving reliability while adding only a simple spatial element to the structure.
3Reliability
If elastic support members are not used to suspend the inner container, then the device complexity is low, but the protection against external forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic support members as intermediary elements between the inner container and the outer container walls. These support members act as mediators that absorb and distribute external forces applied to the inner container, preventing direct transmission of shocks to the sharps. This adds a relatively simple suspension mechanism that significantly enhances protection against external forces.
4Reliability
If a dual-wall container system is implemented, then the protection against needle punctures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a unified dual-wall container system: the inner container serves as both the sharps disposal receptacle and the first line of protection, while the outer container provides both structural support and a second protective barrier. The buffer zone between them combines shock absorption with puncture protection. This merging of functions into an integrated system improves biohazard protection while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides enhanced safety by preventing needle punctures and biohazard release, ensuring secure disposal and storage of sharps through dual-layer protection and shock absorption, reducing the risk of injury and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic support member that elastically suspends the sharps disposal container in the hollow interior of the sharps dispensing container
Data Source
AI summary
A sharps dispensing and disposal system includes a sharps dispensing container and a sharps disposal container within the sharps dispensing container. In one embodiment, the sharps disposal container is mounted at least partially within the sharps dispensing container, with a chamber surrounding at least a portion of the sharps disposal container. In another embodiment, a sharps dispensing and disposal system includes a sharps disposal container having an inner wall and an inlet for depositing used sharps into the sharps disposal container. The sharps dispensing container includes an outer wall that surrounds at least a portion of the sharps disposal container and forms a buffer zone. In another embodiment, a sharps dispensing and disposal system includes at least one elastic support member that elastically suspends a sharps disposal container in the interior of a sharps dispensing container. A cover detachably couples the sharps disposal container with the sharps dispensing container.