WO2014082861A1

WO2014082861A1 - Sanitary waste container

Info

Publication number: WO2014082861A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/073806
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gemma Arribas Torre; Albert CARBÓ I BECH; Angel Alonso Merino
Original assignee: Corporacio Sanitaria Parc Tauli
Current assignee: Corporacio Sanitaria Parc Tauli
Priority date: 2012-11-28
Filing date: 2013-11-14
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-28
Also published as: ES1078254Y; ES1078254U

Abstract

Sanitary waste container, comprising: a recipient (10) with a loading door (15), a lid (20) with a loading opening (21) – configured to adopt an open position that facilitates the introduction of waste into the recipient (10) and a closed position which seals said recipient (10) – and blocking means (30), configured to enable the lid (20) to be moved from the open position to the closed position and to block said movement form the closed position to the open position. Wherein the loading door (15) comprises a surrounding wall (16) with an aperture (17), which communicates with the inside of the recipient (10) and wherein the loading opening (21) is opposite to the aperture (17) in the open position and to the surrounding wall (16) in the closed position, via a rotational movement of the lid (20) on the loading door (15).

Description

SANITARY WASTE CONTAINER

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to a sanitary waste container of the non-reusable variety, specifically designed for the safe storage of sharp and/or cutting objects, biological material and other kinds of dangerous and/or infectious rubbish derived from surgical operations and other general medical interventions.

Background of the invention

The type of container described above is intended for single use and may therefore only be used for the duration of the surgical operation or medical intervention in question or indeed, until it reaches its maximum storage capacity throughout the course of the same. Once used, the container is permanently sealed and prepared to be removed, along with all of the waste contained therein.

Document ES1043828U presents a disposable container for sanitary use, which is able to carry out such functions. This container is formed by a rectangular recipient with a loading door and a main lid, which is adjusted to the same in order to cover the loading door. In turn, the main lid is configured to adopt an open position, which enables waste to be introduced into the recipient and a closed position, which seals said recipient. The main lid therefore has two additional lids. The first is an internal, routine use lid, by means of which it is possible to open or close a loading opening in the main lid as many times as necessary. The second is a larger, external lid with pressure blocking means, which seal the recipient in a permanent, impregnable way.

This type of container is notably limited in that the safety, efficacy and handling thereof are reduced. The main lid configuration is particularly complicated, since it is formed by various independent elements linked together by other such auxiliary elements. This makes the manufacturing thereof difficult, makes them harder to use and increases their cost. The latter limitation means that this container would be more appropriate for use in medical consultations, where they would have a longer useful life, than in surgical applications, following which they would be disposed of. This complex structure also impacts safety negatively, since having separate closure elements may give rise to erroneous assembly, carelessness or said elements becoming lost, possibly as the result of an accident. Moreover, the recipient configuration is not considered optimal either, given that it is rectangular with the surface area of the lower base being smaller than that of the upper neck delimiting the loading door. This affects the stability of the container and may cause it to accidentally capsize. Finally, handling the lids with vertical opening and closing movements and pulling or pressing the same is quite dangerous. This is because such handling increases the possibility of accidentally introducing one's hand into the recipient or, without reaching such extremes, of being pricked and/or cut by a sharp and/or cutting object, the end of which is kept upright at the edge of the loading opening.

The present invention resolves the problems set out above in a fully satisfactory way, using a non-reusable sanitary waste container, the constructive configuration of which has been optimised in order to improve the safety, ease of use and constructive simplicity thereof, thereby giving rise to a container which is highly effective in the surgical environment.

Description of the invention

The sanitary waste container object of the present invention is of the variety comprising:

· a recipient with a loading door

• a lid which has a loading opening, configured to adopt:

- an open position, which allows waste to be introduced into the recipient and;

- a closed position, which seals said recipient;

this sanitary waste container also comprising:

· blocking means configured to enable the lid to move from the open position to the closed position and also to block this movement from the closed position to the open position.

These kinds of container are also known as "non-reusable", "disposable" or "single -use" containers. This means that in normal operating conditions, i.e. without forcing the components of the same or manipulating them inappropriately, these containers cannot be used again and are subsequently removed.

The sanitary waste container object of the present invention is characterised in that the loading door comprises a surrounding wall which has an aperture that communicates with the inside of the recipient and in that the loading opening is opposite the aperture in the open position and to the surrounding wall in the closed position, by rotating the lid on the loading door.

This formation makes it possible to manipulate the container without moving the lid vertically, thereby making it safer for users in comparison to existing containers. In turn, this formation facilitates the introduction of objects into and the closure of the lid.

In order to ensure the hygienic, disinfected conditions required by the majority of surgical operations and general medical interventions, in ideal conditions, the container will have been duly sterilized. Once closed, the tight seal of the same is guaranteed by means of adjusting the components thereof correctly and/or by employing auxiliary elements such as flexible joints and/or seals.

The recipient preferably comprises a lower base delimited by a side wall of pyramid formation, which defines an upper neck of circular formation. This formation makes the container object of the present invention particularly stable, since the lower base thereof is wider than the lid. This makes the present container particularly compatible for use on instrumentation tables and, given its multiple possible sizes, means it might occupy similar volumes to other medical instrumentation, such as trays or cups. The container may particularly be configured in such a way that it is transparent. This enables instrumentation staff to carry out an inventory of the surgical material employed during a certain operation, after having carried out the same. The information obtained is particularly interesting in terms of studying material consumption and the amount of waste generated in each kind of operation.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the surrounding wall is cylindrical in shape and extends from the upper neck, the aperture being arranged horizontally over said surrounding wall. In turn, the lid is cylindrical in formation, this cylinder shape surrounding the surrounding wall and being capable of rotating around the same, the loading opening being arranged horizontally on said lid.

The lid preferably comprises a longitudinal rib arranged on the diameter of an internal upper face of the lid. The rib makes the container safer for two reasons. Firstly, it performs a sweep function upon closure, pushing any object which may be protruding from the aperture towards the inside of the recipient. Secondly, it acts as a barrier, preventing the sharp objects from becoming leaking through the small space or clearance which separates the lid from the surrounding wall.

The blocking means preferably comprise:

a lip arranged on an internal side face of the lid;

a blocking shoulder and a passing shoulder arranged on the loading door, between which the lip is located in the open position, where the blocking shoulder is configured to block the rotation movement of the lid in one direction, whilst the passing shoulder is configured to enable the rotation movement of the lid in the opposite direction, and;

two closure shoulders arranged on the loading door, between which the lip is located in the closed position, where both closure shoulders are configured to block the rotation movement of the lid in both directions.

Each closure shoulder preferably forms a ramp, both ramps being symmetrical in formation, with their upper vertices opposite one another. The example may be given of incorrect use of the container giving rise to the lid being forced to move in the opposite direction to that of closure, thereby overcoming the opposition presented by the blocking shoulder. In this case, this particular formation of the closure shoulders would also enable the lip to occupy its normal closure position. In other words, the lid may be closed, although it turns in the opposite, incorrect direction.

According to a second preferred embodiment, the surrounding wall is semi- cylindrical in formation, extending from the upper neck, the aperture being arranged vertically on said surrounding wall. In turn, the lid is semi-cylindrical in formation and ends in a lower ring which is fitted on the surrounding wall, being able to rotate around the same and the loading opening being arranged vertically on said lid.

The blocking means preferably comprise:

· a wedge shaped tab arranged on the lid;

• a blocking recess which complements the tab arranged on the loading door, upon which the tab is housed in the open position, where the blocking recess is configured to block the rotation movement of the lid in one direction and enable said rotation movement in the opposite direction and;

· a closure recess arranged on the loading door, upon which the tab is arranged in the closed position, where the closure recess is configured to block the rotation movement of the lid in both directions.

In addition, the sanitary waste container object of the present invention comprises fixation means which ensure the join between the lid and the loading door and enable the rotation movement of said lid on said loading door. The fixation means preferably comprise a perimeter projection and a circular groove, arranged between the lid and the loading door, which are configured to fit together, thus facilitating the joining of the lid to the loading door and the sliding of said lid around said loading door. Brief description of the drawings

Below is a very brief description of a series of drawings, which help to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention and which expressly relate to two preferred embodiments thereof, presenting non-limiting examples of the same.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container in open position, according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container in closed position, according to a first embodiment.

Figure 3 is a first perspective view of the recipient, according to a first embodiment.

Figure 4 is a second perspective view of the recipient, according to a first embodiment.

Figure 5 is an elevation view of the container, according to a first embodiment. Figure 6 is a section view according to the cut line A- A shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section view according to the cut line B-B shown in Figure 5, in open position.

Figure 8 is a section view according to the cut line B-B shown in Figure 5, in closed position.

Figures 9A and 9B are respective representations of details A and B shown in Figure 7.

Figures 9C and 9D are respective representations of details C and D shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an internal perspective view of the lid, according to a first embodiment.

Figure 11 is an internal plan view of the lid, according to a first embodiment. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the container in open position, according to a second embodiment.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the container in closed position, according to a second embodiment.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the recipient, according to a second embodiment.

Figure 15 is an elevation view of the container, according to a second embodiment.

Figure 16 is a section view according to the cut line C-C shown in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a section view according to the cut line D-D shown in Figure 15. Figure 18 is a section view according to the cut line D-D shown in Figure 15, in closed position.

Figure 19 is an internal perspective view of the lid, according to a second embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

Figures 1 and 2 provide two perspective views of the container (1), object of the present invention, according to a first embodiment, in the open and closed positions, respectively.

Figures 3 and 4 provide a first and second perspective view of the recipient (10), according to a first embodiment, in which the lid (20) cannot be seen.

As can be seen, the sanitary waste container (1), object of the present invention, is of the variety comprising:

• a recipient (10) with a loading door (15);

• a lid (20) with a loading opening (21), which is configured to adopt:

an open position, which allows waste to be introduced into the recipient (10), (see Figure 1) and;

- a closed position, which seals said recipient (10), (see Figure 2);

this sanitary waste container (1) also comprising;

• blocking means (30), (see Figures 3 and 4), which are configured to enable rotation movement of the lid (20) from the open position to the closed position and to block this movement from the closed position to the open position.

The sanitary waste container (1) object of the present invention is characterised in that the loading door (15) comprises a surrounding wall (16), which has an aperture (17), which communicates with the inside of the recipient (10) and in that the loading opening (21) is opposite the aperture (17) in the open position (see Figure 1) and to the surrounding wall (16) in the closed position (see Figure 2), via a rotational movement of the lid (20) on the loading door (15).

Figure 5 is an elevation view of the container (1), according to a first embodiment. As can be seen, the recipient (10) comprises a lower base (11) delimited by a side, pyramid shaped wall (12), which defines an upper, circular neck (13). This formation makes the container (1), object of the present invention, particularly stable, since it has a lower base (11) which is wider than the lid (20).

According to a first preferred embodiment, the surrounding wall (16) is cylindrical in formation (see Figures 3 and 4) and extends from the upper neck (13), the aperture (17) being arranged horizontally on said surrounding wall (16). In turn, the lid

(20) is cylindrical in formation (see Figures 1 and 2), this formation surrounding the surrounding wall (16), being capable of rotating around the same, the loading opening

(21) being arranged horizontally on said lid (20).

Figure 6 is a section view according to cut line A- A shown in Figure 5. As can be seen, the container (1) comprises fixation means (40) which ensure the join between the lid (20) and the loading door (15) and which enable said lid (20) to be rotated on said loading door (15). The fixation means (40) comprise a perimeter projection (41) and a circular groove (42), arranged between the lid (20) and the loading door (15), which are configured to fit together, this facilitating the joining of the lid (20) to the loading door (15) and the sliding of said lid (20) around said loading door (15). The side wall (12) comprises a relief (18) to facilitate the transportation of the container (1).

Figures 7 and 8 are two section views according to the cut line B-B shown in Figure 5, in open and closed position, respectively. It is possible to observe the way in which the blocking means (30) interact with the recipient (10) and the lid (10) therein.

Figures 9A and 9B are respective representations of details A and B shown in Figure 7, whilst Figures 9C and 9D are respective representations of details C and D shown in Figure 8. It is possible to observe the formation of the blocking means (30) and the operation of the same more clearly therein.

As can be seen, the blocking means (30) comprise:

• a lip (23) arranged on the internal side face (25) of the lid (20);

• a blocking shoulder (32) and a passing shoulder (33), arranged on the loading door (15), between which the lip (23) is arranged in the open position (see Figure 9A), where the blocking shoulder (32) is configures to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in one direction, in this case anti-clockwise, whilst the passing shoulder (33) is configured to enable the rotational movement of the lid (20) in the opposite direction, in this case clockwise, and;

• two closure shoulders (34) arranged on the loading door (15), between which the lip (23) is arranged in closed position (see Figure 9D), where both closure shoulders (34) are configured to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in both directions.

The blocking shoulder (32) is higher in order to block the passage of the lip (23) in an anti-clockwise direction, whilst the passing shoulder (33) is lower in order to facilitate the passage of the lip (23) in a clockwise direction.

Each closure shoulder (34) forms a ramp (35), both ramps (35) being formed symmetrically with their upper vertices (36) opposite one another. The gradient of the ramp (35) enables the lip (23) to be slid through the same until it reaches the upper vertex (36), in order to subsequently be fitted between the two closure shoulders (34).

In this case, just as the closure of the lid (20) requires a 180° rotation of the same, the blocking shoulder (32) and the passing shoulder (33) are opposite to the closure shoulders (34) on the loading door (15) on the diameter. Any other rotational angle would result in the distribution of said shoulders (32, 33 and 34).

Figures 10 and 11 are respective representations of an inner perspective view and an inner plan view of the lid (20), according to a first embodiment.

As can be seen, the lid (20) comprises a longitudinal rib (22) arranged on the diameter on an upper internal face (24) of the lid (20). The longitudinal rib (22) makes the container (1) safer for two reasons. Firstly, because it performs a sweeping movement upon closure, pushing any waste that may protrude from the aperture (17) towards the inside of the recipient (10) and secondly, because it acts as a barrier, preventing the sharp elements from leaking between the small space or clearing that separates the lid (20) and the surrounding wall (16).

Figures 12 and 13 are two perspective views of the container (1), object of the present invention, according to a second embodiment thereof, in open and closed position, respectively.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the recipient (10), according to a second embodiment, in which the lid (20) is not shown.

As can be seen, the sanitary waste container (1) object of the present invention is of the variety comprising:

• a recipient (10) with a loading door (15);

• a lid (20) with a loading opening (21), which is configured to adopt:

- an open position, which facilitate the introduction of waste into the recipient (10), (see Figure 12) and;

- a closed position, which seals said recipient (10), (see Figure 13).

in addition to;

• blocking means (30), (see Figure 14), which are configured to enable the lid (20) to be moved from the open position to the closed position and to block said movement from the closed position to the open position.

The sanitary waste container (1) object of the present invention is characterised in that the charging door (15) comprises a surrounding wall (16), which has an aperture (17) that communicates with the inside of the recipient (10) and in that the loading opening (21) is opposite the aperture (17) in the open position (see Figure 12) and to the surrounding wall (16) in the closed position (see Figure 13), via a rotational movement of the lid (20) on the loading door (15).

Figure 15 is an elevation view of the container (1) according to a second embodiment. As can be seen, the recipient (10) comprises a lower base (11) delimited by a side wall (12) of pyramid formation, which defines an upper neck (13) of circular formation. This formation makes the container (1) object of the present invention particularly stable, since it has a lower base (11) which is wider than the lid (20). According to a second preferred embodiment, the surrounding wall (16) is semi- cylindrical in formation (see Figure 14) and extends from the upper neck (13), the aperture (17) being arranged vertically on said surrounding wall (16). In turn, the lid (20) is semi-cylindrical in formation and ends in a lower ring (26), which is fitted onto the surrounding wall (16), it being capable of rotating in relation to the same, the charging opening (21) being arranged vertically on said lid (20).

Figure 16 is a section view according to the cut line C-C shown in Figure 15.

As can be seen, the container (1) comprises fixation means (40), which ensure the join between the lid (20) and the loading door (15) and which facilitate the rotational movement of said lid (20) on said loading door (15). The fixation means (40) comprise a perimeter projection (41) and a circular groove (42) arranged between the lid (20) and the loading door (15), which are configured to fit together, thus facilitating the joining of the lid (20) to the loading door (15) and the sliding of said lid (20) around said loading door (15). The side wall (12) comprises a relief (18) in order to facilitate the transportation of the container (1).

In order to facilitate the production of the container (1), the recipient (10) of the same may have a removable lower base (11), joined by means of a number of second fixation means (50), which ensure the join between the recipient (10) and the lower base (11).

Figures 17 and 18 are two section views according to the cut line D-D shown in

Figure 15, in open position and closed position, respectively.

Figure 19 is a lower perspective view of the lid (20) according to a second embodiment.

As can be seen, alongside Figure 14, the blocking means (30) comprise:

· a wedge shaped tab (37) arranged on the lid (20),

• a blocking recess (38) which complements the tab (37) arranged on the loading door (15), wherein the tab (37) is housed in the open position (see Figure 12), where the blocking recess (38) is configured to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in one direction, in this case anti-clockwise and to block said rotational movement in the opposite direction, in this case clockwise and,

• a closure recess (39) arranged on the on the loading door (15), upon which the tab (37) is arranged in the closed position, where the closure recess (39) is configured to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in both directions.

In this case, given that the closure of the lid (20) requires a 180° rotation of the same, the closure recess (39) is located opposite to the blocking recess (38) on the loading door (15). Any other rotational angle would mean distributing said recesses (38 and 39) as a result.

Claims

1. - Sanitary waste container comprising:

• a recipient (10) with a loading door (15),

· a lid (20) with a loading opening (21), which is configured to adopt:

- an open position, which facilitates the introduction of waste into the recipient (10) and,

- a closed position, which seals said recipient (10),

additionally comprising:

· blocking means (30), which are configured to enable the lid (20) to be moved from the open position to the closed position and to block said movement from the closed position to the open position;

said container (1) being characterised in that the loading door (15) comprises a surrounding wall (16), with an aperture (17), that communicates with the inside of the recipient (10) and in that the loading opening (21) is opposite to the aperture (17) in the open position and to the surrounding wall (16) in the closed position, via a rotational movement of the lid (20) on the loading door (15).

2. - Sanitary waste container according to claim 1, characterised in that the recipient (10) comprises a lower base (11) delimited by a side wall (12) of pyramid formation, which defines an upper neck (13) of circular formation.

3. - Sanitary waste container according to claim 2, characterised in that the surrounding wall (16) is cylindrical in formation and extends from the upper neck (13), the aperture (17) being arranged horizontally on said surrounding wall (16) and in that the lid (20) is cylindrical in formation and surrounds the surrounding wall (16), it being capable of rotating around the same, the loading opening (21) being arranged horizontally on said lid (20).

4.- Sanitary waste container according to claim 3, characterised in that the lid

(20) comprises a longitudinal rib (22) arranged on the diameter of an internal upper face (24) of the lid (20).

5.- Sanitary waste container according to claim 2, characterised in that the surrounding wall (16) is semi-cylindrical in formation and extends from the upper neck (13), the aperture (17) being arranged vertically on said surrounding wall (16), also being characterised in that the lid (20) is semi-cylindrical in formation, ending in a lower ring (26), which fits onto the surrounding wall (16), it being capable of rotating in relation to the same, the loading opening (21) being arranged vertically on said lid (20).

6. - Sanitary waste container according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the blocking means (30) comprise:

• a lip (23) arranged on an internal side face (25) of the lid (20),

• a blocking shoulder (32) and a passing shoulder (33) arranged on the loading door (15), between which the lip (23) is arranged in open position, where the blocking shoulder (32) is configured to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in one direction, whilst the passing shoulder (33) is configured to enable the rotational movement of the lid (20) in the opposite direction and,

• two closure shoulders (34) arranged on the loading door (15) between which the lip (23) is arranged in the closed position, where both closure shoulders (3) are configured to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in both directions.

7. - Sanitary waste container according to claim 6, characterised in that each closure shoulder (34) forms a ramp (35), both ramps (35) being formed symmetrically with their upper vertices (36) opposite one another.

8. - Sanitary waste container according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the blocking means (30) comprise:

• a wedge shaped tab (37) arranged on the lid (20),

· a blocking recess (38), which complements the tab (37) arranged on the loading door (15), wherein the tab (37) is housed in the open position and wherein the blocking recess (38) is configures to block the rotational movement of the lid (20) in one direction and enable said rotational movement in the other direction and,

• a closure recess (39) arranged on the loading door (15), wherein the tab (37) is arranged in the closed position and wherein the closure recess (39) is configured to block the rotational movement of the lid in both directions.

9. - Sanitary waste container according to any of the previous claims 1 to 8 characterised in that it comprises fixation means (40) which ensure the join between the lid (20) and the loading door (15) and which enable the rotational movement of said lid (20) on said loading door (15).

10.- Sanitary waste container according to claim 9, characterised in that the fixation means (40) comprise a perimeter projection (41) and a circular groove (42) arranged between the lid (20) and the loading door (15), configured to fit together, thereby facilitating the joining of the lid (20) to the loading door (15) and the sliding of said lid (20) around said loading door (15).