Dual-Wall Sharps Container With Elastic Shock Buffering

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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.

Innovation Solution

A dual-wall sharps dispensing and disposal system with an inner puncture-resistant sharps disposal container suspended within an outer dispensing container, forming a buffer zone and using elastic support members to absorb shocks, preventing needle punctures and biohazard leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against needle puncturesVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested container structure where an inner sharps disposal container is placed within an outer dispensing container. The inner container holds used sharps while the outer container provides additional protection and houses unused sharps. This nested arrangement creates dual-layer protection against needle punctures and biohazard release, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural complexity by using a proven nesting principle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The container system is segmented into distinct functional components: an inner disposal container for contaminated sharps and an outer dispensing container for unused sharps. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while providing layered protection. The segmentation principle resolves the contradiction by dividing the protection function into multiple independent layers rather than relying on a single complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If rigid support is used to hold the inner container, then structural stability is high, but shock absorption capability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidcontainer positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates cushioning material in the space between the inner disposal container and the outer dispensing container. This cushioning layer is pre-positioned to absorb shocks and impacts that may occur during handling and transport. By providing beforehand cushioning, the system resolves the contradiction between reliability (shock absorption) and stability (container positioning), as the cushioning material protects against shocks while the elastic support members maintain proper container positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the inner container is fixed rigidly to the outer container, then manufacturing precision is easy to achieve, but the ability to absorb external forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against external forcesVSAvoidcontainer assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an elastic support member to suspend the inner disposal container within the outer dispensing container rather than rigidly fixing it. This elastic support allows the inner container to move independently and absorb external forces such as drops or impacts. The elastic support member is simple in design, making the assembly easy to manufacture while providing superior protection against external forces, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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.

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The outer wall forms a buffer zone extending between the inner wall and the outer wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS7815046B2Sharps dispensing and disposal system

Publication Date: 2010.10.19 KPR U S LLC

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.