AU2011203066A1 - A container assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A CONTAINER ASSEMBLY Abstract A container assembly (1) having a pair of separate inter-connectable first and second container portions (3, 4). The first container portion (3) having a wall (6) located 5 between ends (7, 8) and defining a first interior (9) to receive elongate objects. One end including a first opening (10) by which the objects are dispensed from the first interior. The first container portion has a lid (12) securable over the first opening. The lid able to be opened and closed to provide access to the first interior. The second container portion (4) having a wall (20) located between ends (21, 22) and defining a second interior (23) to 10 receive elongate objects. One end includes a second opening (24) by which objects are inserted into the second interior. Fastening means (30) provide for the first and second container portions to be secured together in use to form the container assembly. t+o iu r Fiur

Description

S&F Ref: P002879 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address CSAW Health Pty Ltd, of Applicant: an Australian company, ACN 143 165 191, of Suite 1, 61 Hampden Road, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Garth Patrick Young Grant Girdler Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: A container assembly Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2010902770 23 Jun 2010 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(5373680_1) A CONTAINER ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container assembly and in particular to a pair of inter-connectable container portions for the use and disposal of sharp objects, such as, 5 syringes or the like. These types of containers are typically known as "Sharps" containers. Background of the Invention Containers come in all shapes and sizes and are known for the storage and disposal of all sorts of objects. The storage and disposal of objects with sharp sides or 10 ends (such as syringes or needles) present a particular problem. One end is sharp and must be kept away from the user as it could cause harm. Also elongate objects (such as needles) create a storage problem in that one end is thin and one end is wide forming a cone shape. The efficient storage of such objects is difficult without wasting space. In many countries there exists a range of programs to reduce harm associated is with the use of illicit drugs. These programs provide "sharps" containers, syringes and other equipment to users so that they do not share equipment and therefore spread diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other blood born viruses (BBVs). The provision of a sharps container to a user serves the primary purpose of reducing the likelihood of users sharing syringes as they are contained (after use) in a 20 container where used items are not readily accessible as well as reducing the number of syringes that are discarded.on the ground after use. One problem with the provision of a sharps container only is that they are often discarded before use as the user does not want to carry around a separate item such as a container in addition to the actual syringes. One way of overcoming this problem is to 25 have a container which provides for both clean and used syringes in the one container assembly. Such existing containers have a moveable flap which enables the user to easily remove new equipment from a "clean side" and then place them after use in a "dirty side". The flap is located within the container in such a position (when the unit is full of clean equipment) that it presses against the far side of the container allowing room for 10 30 syringes. As used syringes are placed in the "dirty side", the flap progressively moves within the container from one side to the other to allow room ultimately for 10 used syringes within the same container. At any one time there can only be 10 syringes in the 2 container. The flap also does not seal the clean and dirty sides of the container. Such a container has more inherent problems. The first is the issue of cross-contamination where blood or fluids from the "Dirty Side" can flow to the "Clean Side" past the movable flap which is not sealed. There is a need for a container assembly which allows both sides to 5 be completely sealed from each other whilst still providing a user with a safe small disposable container assembly. The second issue is that the use of a single container for provision of both clean and used syringes means that the entire container must be discarded after use. This is because the entire container is converted to carry used syringes once the last (10th) 10 syringe has been placed in the container. The discarding of the entire container means that the user is paying for a new container each time which is expensive and discourages the use of such containers. There is a need to provide a container assembly where the "clean" side of the container can be reused as it is never anything more than a packaging medium. The user is only has to purchase a new "used side" and can refill the existing "clean side" with fresh syringes. The result would be a significant cost reduction for the customer of up to 30% current offerings. The third issue is that many harm reduction programs only provide a small disposal-only container. These small containers are essentially a plastic jar with a 20 childproof cap. Once the cap is removed the used syringes are shaken out and reused which defeats the purpose of the program. There is a need for a "dirty side" container which performs the same function as these small disposal only containers except that the syringes cannot be removed. Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved "Sharps" container. 25 Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

3 Summary of the Invention There is firstly disclosed herein a container assembly having a pair of separate inter-connectable first and second container portions; the first container portion having a wall located between ends and defining a first 5 interior to receive elongate objects, one said end including a first opening by which said objects are dispensed from said first interior, said first container portion having a lid securable over said first opening, said lid able to be opened and closed to provide access to said first interior; the second container portion having a wall located between ends and defining a 1o second interior to receive elongate objects, one said end including a second opening by which said objects are inserted into said second interior; and fastening means to provide for said first and second container portions to be secured together in use, to form said container assembly. Preferably, said container portions have complimentary shaped wall portions is along which said fastening means are located. Preferably, in use said fastening means snap lockingly engage said container portions together. Preferably, in use, said fastening means slidably locks said container portions together. 20 Preferably, each said interior includes an angled wall portion to accommodate objects with a tapered body. Preferably, said objects are syringes or needles. Preferably, said second opening in said second container portion is a one way opening preventing said user removing said objects from said second interior. 25 Preferably, said container portions are separately sealed so that material within the first and second interiors can not mix. Preferably, said second container portion includes a lid at said one end, said lid having said second opening, said lid including an anti-tamper device. Preferably, said first and second container portions are integrally formed and 30 include a common wall dividing said first and second interiors, said wall being moveable to vary the volume of said interiors.

4 Brief Description of the Drawing A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention with the first and second 5 container portions in a separated position. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the figure there is shown herein a container assembly I having a pair of separate inter-connectable container portions 3, 4. The first container portion 3 having a wall 6 located between ends 7, 8 and defining a first interior 9 to receive elongate io objects (not shown). The objects could be any such objects for example syringes, needles or the like. One end 7 includes a first opening 10 by which the objects are dispensed from the first interior 9. The first container portion 3 can also be refilled with objects by way of the opening 10. Adjacent the one end 7 is a lid 12 securable over the first opening 10. The lid 12 can be opened and closed by a user to provide access to the interior 9. The lid is 12 could include a lock, catch or the like (not shown). The wall 6 can be of any shape and could include an angled portion 15. However, it should be understood that the container portion 3 could be of any shape. Similarly, the second container portion 4 includes a wall 20 located between ends 21, 22 defining a second interior 23 to receive elongate objects (not shown). One end 22 includes a second opening 24 by which objects 20 are inserted into the second interior 23. The second container portion 4 includes a tamper proof lid 26 securably located adjacent the opening 24. The lid 26 would not be openable by a user. The second container portion 4 includes an angled wall portion 27 of a complimentary shape to the first wall portion 15 of the first container portion 3. Such that the two wall portions 15, 27 fit together. In Figure 1, each of the wall portions 15, 27 are 25 angled such that the two container portions 3, 4 when connected together form a rectangle. It should however be understood that any shape could be formed by having different shaped container portions 3, 4 and wall portions 15, 27. The container portions 3, 4 could be separate discrete units as shown in Figure 1 or integrally formed together. The assembly I further includes fastening means 30 in the form of clips, buckles, catches 30 or the like which, in use, secure the first and second container portions 3, 4 together to form the container assembly 1.

5 In the preferred form, the fastening means 30 snap-lockingly engage the first and second container portions 3, 4 together. The container portions 3, 4 could however be connected in any way such as slidably or the like. The separate complimentary wall portions 15, 27 separately seal the objects within the separate first and second interiors 9, 5 23 such that material can not mix between the first and second container portions 3, 4. Further, the angled wall portions 15, 27 are designed so that they can receive and store in the most efficient way objects such as syringes, needles or the like which are generally cone shaped having a thin end and a wide end forming a generally tapered body. The assembly I could have only one wall that slides between the container portions 3, 4 while io also sealing the interiors from cross-contamination. The common wall (not shown) would divide the first and second interiors 9, 23. The wall being moveable to vary the volume of the interiors 9, 23 depending upon use of the syringes and needles. In use, the first container portion 3 is loaded with a plurality of objects such as syringes, needles or the like through the opening 10 into the interior 9 and the lid 12 is is closed. This provides a user with a "clean" side storage container. The first lid 12 can be opened and closed as many times as needed by the user to withdraw the clean syringes. When the user has dirtied a syringe, the assembly 1 can be rotated and the dirty syringe is inserted through the one-way opening 40 located in the second lid 26 secured to the second container portion 4. The second lid 26 would include an anti-tamper device (not 20 shown) and would not be openable by the user. This ensures that once the dirty syringes are located within the second interior 23 they cannot be removed. Once the second container portion 4 is filled to capacity with dirty syringes, the container portions 3, 4 are separated by unlocking the fastening means 30 and the second container portion 4 is disposed. The user would then purchase a new second container portion 4 and secure it to 25 the original first container portion 3 by way of the fastening means 30. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment there is provided a two part "sharps" container 1 where unused objects are stored in one container portion 3 and used objects are stored in another container portion 4. The two container portions 3, 4 being separate but can be joined together by the user. In other embodiments, the container portions 3, 4 30 can be formed together and separated by the same wall. Each container portions 3, 4 is independently sealed. The container portion 3 that holds new objects is sealed by way of the lid 12 which is waterproof and is opened or closed to allow easy retrieval of objects.

6 The used container portion 4 has a one-way gate, valve or opening 40 which allows for placing objects in the container portion 4 but they cannot be retrieved without destroying the container portion 4. The first container portion 3 holding new objects is shaped to follow the contour of a syringe which is wider at the plunger end. The second container 5 portion 4 holding used objects is also shaped to follow the contour of a syringe which is wider at the plunger end. The two container portions 3, 4 interlock to form a rectangle shape that may then be placed in a user's pocket. If the container portions 3, 4 were both rectangular then the final container assembly I would be too large to fit in a pocket. The advantages of the preferred embodiment are that the container portions 3, 4 10 allow for the transportation and dispensing of new objects whilst also allowing for disposal of used objects in the same assembly 1. This reduces the risk of users discarding syringes as they will want to have new syringes available and so will also take the disposal container portion 4 with them leading to fewer syringes discarded in the community inappropriately. The assembly I also allows for the sale and use of the is disposal side only (container portion 4) if required so reducing the cost as the new dispensing side (container portion 3) can be sold separately as required. The new dispensing side would last up to 50 cycles of attaching a disposal side. Health departments are under financial pressure and this assembly I has the potential to reduce their costs. Also, the assembly I is discrete and able to be placed in a user's pocket. This 20 increases the chances of users using the assembly 1 once it has been provided by the relevant Government. Once used syringes are placed in the disposal side (container portion 4) there is minimal risk to people as a result of needle stick injury as the used syringes are contained securely. When the used container portion 4 is full a final lock will be applied which prevents re-opening of the outer lid 26 providing a second level of 25 security in addition to the one-way insertion gate opening 40. Should the entire assembly I be disposed of inappropriately this causes a problem in waste disposal as when a syringe or a disposal container is found in the waste stream at a recycling plant, for example, the entire waste line must be shut down to allow for the safe removal of the syringes. This is an expensive exercise and an issue that 30 presents itself to all handlers of waste and waste treatment plants. Currently, there is no way of identifying the source of the syringes so that steps can be taken for education or policy changes. The insertion of an electronic chip or the like (not shown) in every 7 container assembly 1 would be a relatively inexpensive way of identifying the source of the container assembly 1. The chip could also be used to track a client of a harm reduction program as to how many times he/she visits and also links back to the Health Departments database on the individual to track medical progress. 5 The inclusion of a chip embedded in the plastic of the container portions 3, 4 would identify that specific container portions 3, 4 and its history. The container portions 3, 4 could also have a weakened sidewall at the mid-point (not shown). This would enable the container portions 3, 4 to progressively crush the contents, destroying completely the syringes at their weakest point whilst at the same time maintaining the 10 integrity of the container portions 3, 4 which needs to be strong at the base where the cannula of the syringes rest. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (11)

1. A container assembly having a pair of separate inter-connectable first and second container portions; the first container portion having a wall located between ends and defining a first s interior to receive elongate objects, one said end including a first opening by which said objects are dispensed from said first interior, said first container portion having a lid securable over said first opening, said lid able to be opened and closed to provide access to said first interior; the second container portion having a wall located between ends and defining a 1o second interior to receive elongate objects, one said end including a second opening by which said objects are inserted into said second interior; and fastening means to provide for said first and second container portions to be secured together in use, to form said container assembly.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container portions 15 have complimentary shaped wall portions along which said fastening means are located.

3. The container according to claim 1, whereby in use said fastening means snap lockingly engage said container portions together.

4. The container according to claim 1, whereby in use, said fastening means slidably lock said container portions together. 20

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein each said interior includes an angled wall portion to accommodate objects with a tapered body.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said objects are syringes or needles.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein said second opening in said 25 second container portion is a one way opening preventing said user removing said objects from said second interior.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container portions are separately sealed so that material within the first and second interiors can not mix.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein said second container 30 portion includes a lid at said one end, said lid having said second opening, said lid including an anti-tamper device. 9

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein first and second container portions are integrally formed and include a common wall dividing said first and second interiors, said wall being moveable to vary the volume of said interiors.

11. A container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to s the accompanying drawing. Dated: 23 June, 2011 Comwel Health Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON