Lockable Medical Waste Container with Disposable Film Lining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for medical waste, such as those used in hospitals and laboratories, pose risks due to sharp objects and infectious materials, and current locking mechanisms do not ensure safe and secure transport and disposal, as they can be difficult to lock securely and may not allow for multiple use of the container.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a dimensionally stable annular attachment with a film inner cover that is detachably connected to the bucket, where the lid is locked onto the attachment using locking elements, ensuring secure closure and allowing for the bucket to be reused after disposal of the contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lid with locking elements is used to secure the container, then the security and reliability of waste containment is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of waste containmentVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into separate functional components: a reusable bucket, a disposable attachment with inner cover, and a lid with locking elements. This segmentation allows the complex locking mechanism to be isolated to the disposable attachment, ensuring secure waste containment while allowing the bucket to remain simple and reusable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment with the inner cover is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after each use. This allows the locking mechanism and other security features to be implemented in the disposable attachment without worrying about long-term durability or complexity in the reusable bucket, effectively managing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a disposable container system is used to ensure safe transport and disposal, then the reliability of waste disposal is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to single-use components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of waste disposalVSAvoidmaterial consumption from disposable components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the container into reusable and disposable parts. The bucket is designed to be reused multiple times, while only the attachment with the inner cover and lid are disposable. This segmentation reduces material consumption compared to completely disposable containers, while maintaining safety through the disposable components that contact the waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable attachment and lid are discarded after each use, while the bucket is recovered and reused. This approach minimizes material consumption by keeping the main container in circulation, while still ensuring safety through the disposable components that are replaced after contact with hazardous waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If a film inner cover is used to line the container, then the ease of cleaning and reuse of the bucket is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the attachment mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaning and reuseVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The film inner cover is integrated into a disposable attachment that is replaced after each use. This eliminates the need to clean the inner cover itself, as it is discarded with the waste. The attachment mechanism, while adding some complexity, enables this disposable solution and simplifies the overall system by allowing the bucket to be easily cleaned and reused without dealing with contaminated liners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4368537A1Container with lockable lid
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 SAIER VERPACKUNGSTECHN
  • EP4368537A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4368537A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP4368537A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6b

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (1) comprising: a bucket (2) having a bottom (5) and a circumferential side wall (6) which has a circumferential rim (8) in the area of ​​an opening (7) of the bucket (2). The container (1) has a rigid, annular extension (3) which is detachably connected to the circumferential rim (8) of the bucket (2), wherein an inner lining (9) is attached to the extension (3), which is formed wholly or partially from a film, wherein the extension (3) has a flange section (14) which at least partially, and in particular completely, covers the circumferential rim (8) of the bucket (2), and a lid (4) which has locking elements (16), preferably locking lugs, for locking the lid (4) to the flange section (14) of the extension (3).