DE102019118881A1 - Container and blank - Google Patents

Abstract

A container is presented, in particular for used medical instruments, comprising: a base, a cover (15), and several side walls (10, 11, 12, 13) arranged between the base and the cover (15), wherein in the cover (15) a closable throw-in opening (20) is provided for throwing in medical instruments, and wherein the container is formed from at least one flat blank (50) of a foldable material, which has adjoining sections which form the base (base sections 70, 72, 74), the lid (lid sections 100, 102, 104), and the side walls (wall sections 51, 52, 53, 54). The container is characterized by the flat blank (50) for each corner of the container which in each case two side walls and a lid or a base abut, has a transition section (80, 81, 105, 106) which is connected directly to sections of the blank (50) which meet at the respective corner of the container which are not directly connected to each other. Furthermore, a blank for a corresponding container is presented.

Description

The invention relates to a container, in particular for used medical instruments, comprising: a base, a lid, and a plurality of side walls arranged between the base and the lid, a closable insertion opening for throwing in medical instruments being provided in the lid, and the container is formed from at least one flat blank of a foldable material having adjoining sections which form the bottom (bottom section), the lid (lid section), and the side walls (wall sections).

Medical care for patients regularly generates waste in the form of used medical instruments that have to be disposed of. These include syringes, cannulas, lancets, scalpels or similar pointed or sharp objects. Most of this waste has been in contact with a patient's body fluids and therefore poses a significant risk of infection.

In order to avoid accidents, it is mandatory to dispose of corresponding medical instruments in special collection containers after use, which meet certain safety requirements. The containers must prevent inadvertent piercing of the container wall by internal instruments as well as inadvertent reaching into it by a user. In addition, the containers should be sufficiently liquid-tight to prevent infectious liquids from escaping.

In practice, plastic containers have become established here which consist of a pot-like base body and a lid that can be firmly attached to it. In the lid there is usually a throw-in opening that can be closed with a cap. Corresponding containers can be inexpensively mass-produced using injection molding.

However, known containers have some disadvantages. For example, production from plastic is disadvantageous from an ecological point of view. In addition, these containers take up a relatively large amount of storage space, as they can only be stacked to a limited extent.

In other areas of application, containers made from blanks of a foldable material, for example cardboard, have established themselves. These can be stored in the form of prepared blanks to save space and, if necessary, brought into their final shape in a few simple steps. They are therefore also referred to as folding boxes.

So far, folding cartons have not been able to establish themselves as containers for used medical instruments because they do not have the required security against accidental puncture. Cardboard can be made with sufficient strength to prevent the walls themselves from being pierced. However, due to the system, folding boxes always have weak points in the area of the container corners, which are not protected against puncturing by sufficient material thickness. Liquid can also easily escape at these points.

It is possible to reinforce the corners of folding boxes, for example with suitable adhesive tapes. However, folding cartons reinforced in this way can no longer be laid flat, which means that one of the essential advantages of folding cartons is lost.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container which is improved with regard to the problems described.

According to one aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a container, in particular for used medical instruments, comprising: a base, a lid, and a plurality of side walls arranged between the base and the lid, with a closable insertion opening in the lid for inserting medical instruments is provided, and wherein the container is formed from at least one flat blank of a foldable material which has adjoining sections which form the base (base section), the lid (cover section), and the side walls (wall sections), which is further developed as a result, that the flat blank for each corner of the container, at which two side walls and a lid or a bottom meet, has a transition section which is directly connected to sections of the blank which meet at the respective corner of the container and which are not directly connected to one another.

In the context of the invention, a direct connection of sections of the blank is to be understood as meaning that the corresponding sections adjoin one another along a joint and merge into one another at the joint without interrupting the material. The joint can be pre-embossed or folded for easier folding.

In the embodiment of the container according to the invention, the respective sections of the blank merge without interruption at all corners of the container, so that no weak points arise at which used instruments can pierce the container or infectious liquids can escape.

Preferably the container can be formed from a single flat blank.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flat blank can comprise four directly adjoining wall sections.

Furthermore, the flat blank can comprise a connecting section which is directly adjacent to a wall section and which is connected, preferably glued, to a further wall section in order to form the container.

The connecting section can have approximately the same width as the further wall section, so that the connecting section and the further wall section essentially overlap over the entire area. In this way, a container is created with at least one double-layered side wall, which improves the stability of the container. At the same time, the large-area gluing of the sections ensures particularly secure gluing.

In an advantageous embodiment of a container according to the invention, the flat blank can comprise two bottom sections which are each directly adjacent to a wall section which are opposite one another in the finished molded container, the floor sections at least partially overlapping in the finished molded container.

A first plug-in tab can adjoin a first of the floor sections, and a first plug-in slot can be provided at the joint between a second of the floor sections and the adjoining wall section.

The insertion slot can be provided in the area of the wall section which overlaps the connection section in the finished container, so that the first insertion tab is arranged between the wall section and the connection section after being inserted into the first insertion slot.

Furthermore, a third base section can adjoin the connecting section, which in the finished molded container overlaps with the first base section and the second base section.

Due to the corresponding design, the container is still securely and completely closed in the area of the first insertion slot, since the first insertion slot is covered from the inside by the third base section.

In a further advantageous embodiment of a container according to the invention, the flat blank can comprise two lid sections, each of which directly adjoins a wall section that is opposite one another in the finished molded container, the lid sections at least partially overlapping in the finished molded container.

A second plug-in tab can adjoin a first of the cover sections, and a second plug-in slot can be provided at the joint between a second of the cover sections and the adjoining wall section.

The insertion opening can preferably be provided in the first cover section.

In an advantageous further development of a container according to the invention, a third insertion slot can be provided at the joint between the first cover section and the second insert tab, and a locking tongue connected to the wall section on one side can be cut out of the second cover section and the adjoining wall section shaped container is inserted into the third insertion slot to close the insertion opening.

The incisions in the wall section that form the locking tongue can be shorter than the second push-in flap. The second tuck-in flap then completely covers the incisions from the inside so that no instruments can pierce the side wall or liquids can escape.

In a preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention, the locking tongue can have at least one lateral projection in the region of its free end, which prevents the locking tongue from being accidentally pulled out of the third insertion slot. The locking tongue in the area of the projection can be somewhat wider than the third insertion slot so that the locking tongue can only be inserted into the insertion slot with elastic deformation. The locking tongue is preferably shaped in such a way that the insertion of the locking tongue into the third insertion slot is simplified by a run-up bevel or a chamfer, while the projection prevents or makes it more difficult to completely pull the locking tongue out of the third insertion slot.

A third cover section can be connected to the connecting section, which is at least partially included in the finished container overlaps the first lid portion and the second lid portion.

The third cover section can also have a throw-in opening which overlaps the throw-in opening in the first cover section in the fully formed container, and the locking tongue can engage between the first cover section and the third cover section.

The insertion opening can have a notch on its circumference. This notch can be used to separate individual elements of a multi-part medical instrument from one another, for example to pull a cannula off a syringe.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to a further aspect of the invention by a blank for a container according to the above statements. With regard to the advantages and effects that can be achieved in this way, express reference is made to what has been said above.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of some exemplary representations. The exemplary embodiments shown are intended solely to contribute to a better understanding of the invention without restricting it.

• 1: Einen Behälter,
• 2: einen Zuschnitt für einen Behälter gemäß 1,
• 3: eine Ausführung einer Einwurföffnung,
• 4: einen modifizierten Behälter.

Show it:

• 1 : A container,
• 2 : a blank for a container according to 1 ,
• 3 : a version of a slot opening,
• 4th : a modified container.

1 shows a container 1 in three-dimensional view. The container 1 consists of four side walls 10 , 11 12 , 13 , of which only the side walls 10 , 11 are visible, a lid 15th , and an invisible floor 16 .

In the lid 15th is a throw-in opening 20th provided, which partially by a locking tongue 21st is locked. The locking tongue 21st is on the side wall 11 hinged and can with a handle element 22nd be opened and closed.

The container 1 is from a blank 50 formed from foldable material such as high strength cardboard. The cardboard can be provided with suitable coatings to improve its resistance to liquids. Corresponding coatings are known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in more detail here.

The cut 50 is in 2 shown. Solid lines represent the outer contours of the blank 50 or completely penetrating cuts. Dashed lines represent fold lines in the blank 50 which can be introduced by a suitable embossing tool. With fold lines, the surface of the cardboard and a coating applied to it are usually not damaged. Dashed lines represent lines of weakness in the blank. In contrast to fold lines, lines of weakness can also have perforations or incisions which penetrate the surface of the cardboard.

The cut 50 consists of four wall sections 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 showing the side walls 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 of the container 1 form. On the wall section 53 a connecting section closes 55 which is in the pre-formed container 1 with the wall section 54 is glued to the side wall 13 to build. There is one area 56 excluded from bonding, which will be explained later. The dashed border of the area 56 is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a fold line.

The wall sections 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 and the connecting portion 55 border over fold lines 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 directly to each other.

A first floor section 70 closes on a fold line 71 on the wall section 52 at. A second floor section 72 closes over a fold line 73 to the connecting section 55 at. A third floor section 74 closes over a fold line 75 on the wall section 54 at.

Between the soil sections 70 , 72 , 74 are transition sections 80 , 81 intended. This is the transition section 80 about fold lines 82 , 83 , 84 with the bottom section 74 , the wall section 51 and the bottom section 70 connected, and has diagonal lines of weakness 85 , 86 on. The transition section 81 is about fold lines 87 , 88 , 89 with the bottom section 70 , the wall section 53 , and the bottom section 72 connected, and has diagonal lines of weakness 90 , 91 on. The lines of weakness 85 , 86 , 90 , 91 can also be fold lines or additionally have perforations or incisions to facilitate the folding of the container 1 to simplify.

To the bottom section 70 closes over a fold line 95 a first tuck-in flap 96 at. In the fold line 75 between the bottom section 74 and the wall section 54 is a first insertion slot 97 intended.

A first cover section 100 closes over a fold line 101 on the wall section 54 at. A second lid section 102 closes over a fold line 103 on the wall section 52 at. A third lid section 104 connects to the wall section via a fold line 55 at.

Between the lid sections 100 , 102 , 104 are transition sections 105 , 106 intended. The transition section 103 closes over fold lines 107 , 108 , 109 to the lid section 100 , the wall section 51 and the lid portion 102 and has diagonal lines of weakness 110 , 111 on. The transition section 106 closes over fold lines 112 , 113 , 114 to the lid section 102 , the wall section 53 and the lid portion 104 and has diagonal lines of weakness 115 , 116 on. The lines of weakness 110 , 111 , 115 , 116 can be similar to the lines of weakness 85 , 86 , 90 , 91 be executed.

In the lid sections 100 and 104 are slot openings 20th , 20 ' provided, which is in the finished molded container 1 overlap.

From the wall section 52 and the lid portion 102 is the locking tongue 21st cut out so that they are one-sided on the remaining wall section 52 is hinged. From the locking tongue 21st is again the handle element 22nd cut out semicircular.

The locking tongue 21st is on the wall section 52 over a fold line 120 hinged, in the example shown at an angle to the fold line 103 runs. The function of this angle is explained below. As an extension of the fold line 103 there is a fold line 121 through the locking tongue 21st , the fold line 121 is in the area of the handle element 22nd interrupted.

To the lid section 100 closes over a fold line 125 a second tuck-in flap 126 at. Outside the locking tongue 21st is at the transition from the wall section 52 to the cover section 102 a second insertion slot 127 intended.

At the transition from the cover section 100 to the second tuck-in flap 126 is a third slot 130 intended.

In the following the molding of the container 1 from the blank 50 explained.

First is the cut 50 along the between the wall sections 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 and the connecting portion 55 running fold lines 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 folded into a tube, and the wall section 54 becomes with the connecting section 55 glued. This is in the area 56 no glue applied. The wall section 54 is from the outside on the connecting section 55 glued. Commercially available hot glue can be used for bonding. Other suitable adhesives can also be considered, with particular attention being paid to resistance to moisture and to solvents and disinfectants commonly used in the medical environment.

The correspondingly folded and glued blank 50 can easily be laid flat so that a large number of corresponding pre-processed blanks can be stored in a space-saving manner.

The next step is to fold the bottom. For this purpose the transition sections 80 , 81 pressed slightly inwards, where they are at the lines of weakness 85 , 86 , 90 , 91 wrinkles. At the same time the floor sections 72 and 74 one hand and the bottom section 70 on the other hand folded towards each other, in this case the bottom section slides 72 between the bottom section 70 and the inwardly folding transition sections 80 , 81 . To simplify this, the ends of the bottom section 72 be slightly bevelled. The first tuck-in flap 96 goes into the first slot 97 inserted and slides into the non-glued area 56 between the wall section 54 and the connecting portion 55 . Small notches on the sides of the first tuck-in flap 96 prevent these accidentally from the first insertion slot 97 slips out.

The length of the transition sections 80 , 81 is dimensioned in such a way that they butt against each other after the bottom is closed.

The last thing is the lid 15th of the container 1 closed. To do this, the locking tongue is first used 21st slightly bent outwards around the second slot 127 to release. Then we the lid 15th similar to before the bottom closed by the transition sections 105 , 106 pushed inward slightly, and the lid sections 100 , 102 , 104 be moved towards each other. The cover section moves in the process 102 under the lid sections 100 and 104 .

The second tuck-in flap 126 gets under the locking tongue 21st that is still bent outwards into the second insertion slot 127 inserted. The length of the second tuck-in flap 126 is dimensioned so that it lines up with the cutting lines of the locking tongue 21st in the wall section 52 up to the fold line 120 completely covered from the inside. Notches on the edge of the second tuck-in flap 126 in turn prevent them from slipping out of the second insertion slot 127 .

The transition sections 105 , 106 but just like the transition sections 80 , 81 butt against each other.

Last is the locking tongue 21st into the third slot 130 introduced. There are lateral protrusions 131 on the locking tongue 21st that are slightly wider than the third slot 130 , slightly compressed and expand after passing through the third slot 130 out again. The compression of the projections 131 is due to the rounded shape of the locking tongue 21st simplified, alternatively a straight bevel or other suitable contours can also be provided here.

For inserting the locking tongue 21st into the third slot 130 this will be at the fold line 121 bent over. The grip element is then positioned 22nd by the break in the fold line 121 on.

The locking tongue 21st slides so far between the cover sections when inserted into the third insertion slot 100 and 102 that they have the insertion openings 20th , 20 ' completely covered and thus closed. To release the slot opening 20th can the locking tongue 21st on the handle element 22nd be withdrawn. The projections prevent this 131 that the locking tongue 21st accidentally completely out of the third slot 130 is pulled out.

When pulling out the locking tab 21st this is done by her on the wall section 52 hinged end slightly deformed, this increases the friction between the locking tongue 21st and the lid sections 100 and 104 . This effect is created by the angling of the fold line 120 slightly reduced so that the locking tongue 21st easier to open or close the opening 20th can be moved. The fold line 120 however, it can also be parallel to the fold line 103 be executed.

For the stability of the container 1 during the actuation of the locking tongue 21st it is helpful that the one from the wall section 54 and the connecting portion 55 formed wall 13 of the container 1 is double-walled. This shifts the center of gravity of the container 1 , especially when empty, away from the actuating element 22nd so that the container 1 tilts forward less easily when the locking tongue 21st is opened.

In the in the 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment is the throw-in opening 20th shown around. 3 shows another possible form of a throw-in opening 200 which has a notch on its circumference 201 having.

The notch 201 Can be used to store multi-part medical instruments before inserting them into the slot 200 disassemble. For example, a syringe with an attached cannula can be held in the insertion opening so that an edge of the cannula is in the notch 201 under the lid sections 100 , 104 of the blank takes effect. The cannula can then be withdrawn from the syringe by withdrawing the syringe. The syringe itself can then be placed separately in the container 1 thrown in or, if necessary, further used.

The in 2 shown cut 50 can be modified in various ways without affecting the properties of the invention.

A possible modification can consist of the cover section 100 in the area of the fold line 101 a tab 210 is cut out, which is set up and for hanging the container 1 can be used. This is exemplified in 4th shown.

The cut 50 can be printed to show warnings and / or usage instructions on the finished container. Such notices can include internationally standardized warning signals for biological hazards, markings for the maximum permissible filling, and / or instructions for proper disposal.

In the container 1 Before, during or after the folding, absorbent material can be introduced to absorb excess liquid. It is also conceivable to put disinfectants in the container 1 to be introduced in order to reduce a possible germ load.

Claims (19)

A container, in particular for used medical instruments, comprising: - a base, - a lid (15), and - several side walls (10, 11, 12, 13) arranged between the base and the lid (15), wherein in the lid ( 15) a closable throw-in opening (20) is provided for throwing in medical instruments, and the container is formed from at least one flat blank (50) of a foldable material which has adjoining sections which form the base (base sections 70, 72, 74 ), the cover (cover sections 100, 102, 104), and the side walls (wall sections 51, 52, 53, 54) form; characterized in that the flat blank (50) has a transition section (80, 81, 105, 106) for each corner of the container at which two side walls and a lid or a bottom meet, which is directly connected to the respective corner of the container Container colliding Sections of the blank (50) is connected which are not directly connected to one another. Container after Claim 1 , characterized in that the container is formed from a single flat blank (50). Container after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the flat blank (50) comprises four directly adjoining wall sections (51, 52, 53, 54). Container according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the flat blank (50) comprises a connecting section (55) which is directly adjacent to a wall section (53) and which is connected, preferably glued, to a further wall section (54) to form the container. Container after Claim 4 , characterized in that the connecting section (55) has approximately the same width as the further wall section (54), so that the connecting section (55) and the further wall section (54) essentially overlap over the entire surface. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat blank (50) comprises two bottom sections (70, 74) which each directly adjoin a wall section (52, 54) which lie opposite one another in the finished container, wherein the bottom sections (70, 74) at least partially overlap in the finished container. Container after Claim 6 , characterized in that a first plug-in tab (96) adjoins a first of the bottom sections (70), and that a first plug-in slot (97) is provided at the joint between a second of the bottom sections (74) and the adjoining wall section (54) . Container after Claim 7 and 5 , characterized in that the insertion slot (97) is provided in the area of the wall section (54) which overlaps with the connection section (55) in the finished container, so that the first insertion tab (96) after insertion into the first insertion slot ( 97) is arranged between the wall section (54) and the connecting section (55). Container according to one of the Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the connecting section (55) is followed by a third bottom section (72) which overlaps the first bottom section (70) and the second bottom section (72) in the finished container. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat blank (50) comprises two lid sections (100, 102) which each directly adjoin a wall section (54, 52) which are opposite one another in the finished container, wherein the lid sections (100, 102) at least partially overlap in the finished container. Container after Claim 10 , characterized in that a second insertion tab (126) adjoins a first of the cover sections (100), and that a second insertion slot (127) is provided at the joint between a second of the cover sections (102) and the adjoining wall section (52) . Container after Claim 11 , characterized in that the insertion opening (20) is provided in the first cover section (100). Container after Claim 12 , characterized in that a third insertion slot (130) is provided at the joint between the first cover section (100) and the second tuck-in tab (126), and that from the second cover section (102) and the adjoining wall section (52) one side with the wall section (52) connected to the locking tongue (21) is cut out, which is inserted in the finished molded container into the third insertion slot (130) to close the insertion opening (20). Container after Claim 13 , characterized in that the incisions in the wall section (52) which form the locking tongue (21) are shorter than the second push-in flap (126). Container after Claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that the locking tongue (21) has at least one lateral projection (131) in the region of its free end, which prevents the locking tongue (21) from being accidentally pulled out of the third insertion slot (130). Container according to one of the Claims 11 to 15th , characterized in that the connecting section (55) is followed by a third cover section (104) which at least partially overlaps the first cover section (100) and the second cover section (102) in the finished container. Container after Claim 16 , characterized in that the third lid section (104) also has a throw-in opening (20 ') which overlaps the throw-in opening (20) in the first cover section (100) in the finished container, and that the locking tongue (21) between the first cover portion (100) and the third cover portion (104) engages. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion opening (200) has a notch (201) on its circumference. Blank for a container according to one of the Claims 1 to 18th .

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