AU741793B2

AU741793B2 - Improved syringe storage and disposal container

Info

Publication number: AU741793B2
Application number: AU22564/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Noel Sydney Davidson Wood
Original assignee: Licence Management Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ASP Rights Management Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1990-10-25
Filing date: 2000-03-23
Publication date: 2001-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-25
Also published as: AU2256400A

Description

P: IV.DOCS\DYS\SPECE\7465661 .SPE 23/3/00 -1- Improved Syringe Storage and Disposal Container This invention relates to containers for needle syringes which can hold both unused as well as used syringes.

In Australian patent specification 644821 (66151/90) there is described a syringe container wherein the used and unused syringes are separated from one another by a wall disposed within a container separating the interior of the container into a first storage zone for unused syringes and a second storage zone for used syringes. Access to the second storage zone is through an aperture having retaining means which comprises two lugs which are arranged to permit soiled syringes to pass through the aperture into the second storage zone but inhibit removal of the used syringes from that zone without the application of excessive force or damage to the container.

15 The present invention relates to an improvement or modification to the arrangement described in Australian patent 644821 (66151/90) According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a syringe container suitable for use with syringes of the type having a syringe body with a flanged section with generally radially outwardly projecting flange means thereon, the container including a housing having an internal compartment therein, with an access opening to the internal compartment, at least one syringe being receivable within said internal compartment through the access opening and an openable closure means for closing said access opening. The internal compartment includes a first storage zone and a second storage zone, each being capable of receiving at least the flanged section of a syringe body therein, the first storage zone being disposed adjacent the access opening so that when the flanged section of the syringe body is disposed therein the syringe can be removed therefrom through the access opening. The second zone includes an entry aperture through which the syringe body can pass so that the flanged section thereof is disposed within the second zone. There is further provided retaining means at the entry aperture which includes a substantially resiliently S 6 P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\7465661 .SPE 23/3/00 -2deformable lug, the lug projecting into the entry aperture and having, in an unstressed condition a free end adjacent the wall of the entry aperture for permitting a syringe body to be inserted past the lug until the syringe engages the top surface of the lug, whereupon further insertion of the syringe body causes the lug to be deformed sufficiently to permit the full insertion of the flange section of the syringe body through the entry aperture and thereafter capture it in the second zone by the lug returning towards its unstressed position.

Preferably, the housing includes an open ended hollow body, the closure means being in the form of a lid hingedly mounted to an edge of the open end of the body and the lid is i 10 being arranged to force fit or snap fit with the open end of the body.

o•: .o.o Preferably, the lug is biased to a position which substantially closes the aperture.

Preferably, the entry aperture is rectangular with the lug extending from one wall across the entry aperture so that the free end of the lug terminates adjacent the opposition wall. It will S: 15 be appreciated however that the entry aperture could be circular or elliptical with the lug being of appropriate shape. Preferably, the aperture is located at substantially the open end of the shell.

In one preferred form there is further included a dividing plate arranged to provide a barrier between the first and second zones wherein the second zone being only accessible through the aperture. Preferably, the plate is movable from a first position in which the first zone is minimised and the second zone is maximised to a second position in which the first zone is maximised and the second zone is minimised. Preferably, the plate is hingedly mounted to an edge of the frame and resiliently biased to the first position whereby the loading of sterile syringes into the first zone progressively moves the plate to the second position.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provide a syringe container for syringes of the type including a syringe body having a flanged section with generally radially outward projecting flange means thereon, the container comprising: an open ended P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECjE\746566 1SPE 23/3/00 -3substantially hollow shell housing; retaining means arranged to retain soiled syringes; and containing means arranged to contain sterile syringes, said retaining means including an aperture accessible from open end of the shell housing and into which extend one or more resiliently deformable lugs arranged to facilitate one way passage of a syringe into the container, a dividing plate arranged to provide a barrier between a soiled syringe retaining area and a sterile syringe containing area within the shell housing, said dividing plate being movable from a first position in which the sterile syringe containing area is minimised and the soiled syringe retaining area is maximised to a second position in which the sterile syringe containing area is maximised and the soiled syringe retaining area is minimised.

*i S"According to each aspect of the invention the or each lug may preferably include on its under surface at least two flexible projecting fingers or flanges which extend outwardly from the under surface such that they at least partially overlie one another. The arrangement is such that upon deformation of the lug the fingers or flanges will abut one another inhibiting 15 further deformation of the lug. The fingers are arranged so that they stop the lug from bending beyond its modulars of elasticity.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a container according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a container shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of the container shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of part of an insert used in the container shown in Figures 1 to 4; P:\WPDOCS\DYS\speci\74656 I.doc-3 Octobe 2001 -4- Figure 6 is a plan view of part of the insert shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 and 8 are schematic side elevations showing the container in use.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a container generally indicated at comprising a main body 11 having an open end 12 and a closure cover 13 for closing the open end. The closure cover 13 is hingedly connected to the main body 11 and there is provided a catch for holding the cover 13 in the closed position. The closure cover 13 has a handle 14 hingedly connected to the closure cover 13 and when not in use the handle 14 can nest within a part of the cover.

There is further provided an insert 16 which is disposed within the container and includes a dividing plate 19 which separates the interior of the container into two 1 compartments 21 and 22. Compartment 21 is for receiving and storing unused syringes 15 and compartment 22 is for receiving and storing used syringes. The dividing plate 19 0. includes two sections 23 and 24 which are hinged together at point 25. The insert 16 further includes a mounting section 26 by which the insert 16 is mounted to the main body 11. The insert is secured to the main body by means of sonic welding. The insert further includes retaining means in the form of lug 30 which extends across access opening through which access to compartment 22 is made.

The lug 30 is formed integral with the mounting section 26 and has a free edge portion 31 which terminates adjacent one side of the access opening 35. The free edge portion 31 of the lug has a recess 32 therein. The lug 30 is further provided on its underside surface with a series of projections 36 in the form of ribs or fingers which extend from the underside surface at an inclined angle so that the at least partially overlie one another. The projections 36 are arranged in two groups of three 36(a) and 36(b).

The lug 30 is formed of resiliently deformable material and when in its unstressed condition extends across access opening 35. The lug 30 is flexible enough so that it can c PU S Aq> Frc e P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\746566I SPE 23/3/00 bent or deformed in order to put a syringe within compartment 22.

The mode of use of the container will hereinafter be described. As best seen in Figure 7 unused syringes 70 are stored in compartment 21. When a new syringe is required it is taken from compartment 21. Once it has been used the used syringe 71 is disposed of by placing it in compartment 22. This is achieved by locating an end of the syringe in the recess 32 and causing the lug to elastically deform. The purpose of the projections 36 is to prevent the lug being deformed beyond a particular point. When the lug is deformed the projections will be pressed together until such a position further bending or deformation of 10 the lugs is prevented.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

0 00

Claims

1. A syringe container suitable for use with syringes of the type having a syringe body with a flanged section with generally radially outwardly projecting flange means thereon, the container including a housing having an internal compartment therein, with an access opening to the internal compartment, at least one syringe being receivable within said internal compartment through the access opening and an openable closure means for closing said access opening, said internal compartment including a first storage zone and a second storage zone, each being capable of receiving at least the flanged section of a syringe body therein, the first storage zone being disposed adjacent the access opening so that when the flanged section of the syringe body is disposed therein the syringe can be removed therefrom through the access opening, said second zone including an entry S.aperture through which the syringe body can pass so that the flanged section thereof is disposed within the second zone, and retaining means at the entry aperture which includes S 15 a substantially resiliently deformable lug, the lug projecting into the entry aperture and having, in an unstressed condition a free end adjacent the wall of the entry aperture for permitting a syringe body to be inserted past the lug until the syringe engages the top surface of the lug, whereupon further insertion of the syringe body causes the lug to be i deformed sufficiently to permit the full insertion of the flange section of the syringe body S 20 through the entry aperture and thereafter capture it in the second zone by the lug returning towards its unstressed position.

2. A syringe container according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes an open ended hollow body, the closure means being in the form of a lid hingedly mounted to an edge of the open end of the body and the lid is being arranged to force fit or snap fit with the open end of the body.

3. A syringe container according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lug is biased to a position which substantially closes the entry aperture. i\ r/4. A yinge container according to claim 3 wherein the entry aperture is generally P:\WPDOCS\DYSsiei746566 Ldo.3 Ocob 2001 -7- rectangular with the lug extending from one wall across the entry aperture so that the free end of the lug terminates adjacent the opposition wall. A syringe container according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the entry aperture is located at substantially the open end of the housing.

6. A syringe container according to any preceding claim further including a dividing plate arranged to provide a barrier between the first and second storage zones wherein the second storage zone being only accessible through the entry aperture, the dividing plate being movable between a first position in which the first storage zone is minimised and the second storage zone is maximised and a second position in which the first storage zone is maximised and the second storage zone is minimised.

7. A syringe container according to claim 6 wherein the dividing plate is hingedly 15 mounted to an edge of the housing and resiliently biased to the first position whereby the loading of sterile syringes into the first storage zone progressively moves the plate to the second position.

8. A syringe container for syringes of the type including a syringe body having a flanged section with generally radially outward projecting flange means thereon, the container comprising: an open ended substantially hollow housing; retaining means arranged to retain soiled syringes; and containing means arranged to contain sterile syringes said retaining means and containing means being separated from one another, said retaining means including an aperture accessible from the open end of the housing and into which extends a resiliently deformable lug arranged to facilitate one way passage of a syringe into the container, a dividing plate arranged to provide a barrier between a soiled syringe retaining area and a sterile syringe containing area within the housing, said dividing plate being movable between a first position in which the sterile syringe containing area is minimised and the soiled syringe retaining area is maximised and a second position in which the sterile syringe containing area is maximised and the soiled 7s-- yringe retaining area is minimised. P:\WPDOCS\DYS\specic\7465661.doc-3 October 2001 -8-

9. A syringe container according to claim 8 wherein the housing includes an open ended hollow body, the closure means being in the form of a lid hingedly mounted to an edge of the open end of the body and the lid is being arranged to force fit or snap fit with the open end of the body. A syringe container according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the lug is biased to a position which substantially closes the entry aperture.

11. A syringe container according to claim 10 wherein the entry aperture is generally rectangular.

12. A syringe container according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the entry aperture is located at substantially the open end of the housing. i..

13. A syringe container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the lug includes on its under surface at least two flexible projecting fingers or flanges which extend outwardly from the under surface such that they at least partially overlie one another, the Sarrangement being such that upon deformation of the lug the fingers or flanges will abut one another inhibiting further deformation of the lug, the fingers being arranged so that they stop the lug from bending beyond its modulars of elasticity.

14. A syringe container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 3 rd day of October, 2001 LICENCE MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE AUS f