US20020074315A1 - Needle incinerator - Google Patents
Needle incinerator Download PDFInfo
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- US20020074315A1 US20020074315A1 US09/973,355 US97335501A US2002074315A1 US 20020074315 A1 US20020074315 A1 US 20020074315A1 US 97335501 A US97335501 A US 97335501A US 2002074315 A1 US2002074315 A1 US 2002074315A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
- A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
- A61M5/3278—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
- A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
- A61M5/3278—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes
- A61M2005/3283—Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes using electric current between electrodes
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
- Furnace Charging Or Discharging (AREA)
- Furnace Details (AREA)
- Refuse Receptacles (AREA)
- Gasification And Melting Of Waste (AREA)
- Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides an incinerator adapted for disintegrating metal needles and lancets such as are used in the medical profession. An incinerator is provided that includes first and second electrodes, each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to one another. The second electrode is rotated relative to the first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between the contact edges. A controlled power source is selectively interconnected to the first and second electrodes, with both being supported by a housing. The housing defines an opening adjacent to the electrodes for receiving metal, such as hypodermic needles, interveinous needles, lancets, etc., to be incinerated by the electrodes. In another embodiment of the invention, a residue collection drawer is slidably mounted within the housing adjacent to the electrodes so as to capture residue from the incineration. An electrode broom is movably mounted within the housing or the drawer, adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, so as to be movable against the contact edges thereby to remove a build-up of debris resulting from incineration.
Description
- The present invention generally relates to waste disposal devices, and more particularly to devices for disposing of needles associated with hypodermic syringes, lancets and the like.
- With the ever increasing need to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, there has been a growing emphasis on the safe handling and disposal of medical waste and particularly the needles utilized with hypodermic syringes. It is extremely important to protect medical personnel and others who are required to administer hypodermic injections from inadvertent or accidental “stick” injuries. This protection is also required by those who must dispose of medical waste by-products, including the hypodermic syringes and needles, from accidental “stick” injuries which can occur by the improper or accidental handling of such waste products.
- In an effort to provide increased safety and prevent the spread of infectious disease, small incinerating devices have been developed in recent years which are specifically designed for destroying hypodermic syringe needles and the like. Most of these incinerating devices have been designed to be portable, and most operate on conventional 110 volt AC outlet current so that the units may be plugged into a conventional outlet. With these, and other, prior art devices, a needle may be destroyed immediately after its use by inserting the needle, while still attached to the hypodermic syringe, into the incinerating apparatus where heat or electricity is utilized to thermally neutralize biohazardous materials, and melt or disintegrate the needle. Some examples of such prior art incinerators are found in U.S. Pat. No.: 4,628,169 to Ching-Lung; U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,934 to Spinello; U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,426 to Colombo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,529 to Kudo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,621 to Butler; U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,125 to Salesses; U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,428 to Grevill, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,964 to Walker, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,752 to Elmerick, et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,336,862 and 5,468,928 to Yelvington; U.S. Pat No. 5,551,355 to Haines et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,404 to Descent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,267 to Yanobu; U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,709 to Champion, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,469 to Truesdale, et al.
- In many of these prior art incinerators, a pair of electrodes are engageable by a needle inserted into the incinerator housing. An electric arc is established through the needle, destroying the needle at temperatures of 1,000 degrees or higher, with the disintegration occurring substantially instantaneously. In some of the prior art incinerators, small fans are utilized to exhaust the by-products of combustion to the ambient atmosphere. To prevent the release of airborne contaminants or pathogens, which may remain in the gaseous material, some prior art devices utilize a filter element to filter the air before it is exhausted from the incinerator apparatus.
- Unfortunately, prior art needle incinerating units have not met with acceptance by practitioners in the health care industry. For one thing, incinerating devices have not proven to be sufficiently capable of ensuring that all exhaust from the incinerating devices is purified to prevent smoke, toxins, trace metal contaminates, and airborne pathogens from being discharged to the atmosphere. many healthcare professionals do not want to place any type of incinerating apparatus within an enclosed area where people may be exposed to the exhaust.
- Another disadvantage in prior art needle incinerators is the need to adjust the incinerator electrodes or contacts depending upon the type of needle which is to be destroyed. In many prior art incinerators, the electrodes for contacting the needle are fixed relative to one another or flexible relative to one another, so as to ensure contact with varying lengths of needles. In other prior art devices, gauges or dedicated entrance ports are utilized to accommodate different diameter needles. Also, prior art needle incinerators have not been adequately designed to cooperatively destroy needles associated with differing sizes of hypodermic syringes.
- One other disadvantage associated with most prior art needle incinerators is the inability to clean electrodes without disassembly. In particular, after several needles have been disintegrated, a residue forms on the edges of the electrodes which degrades the performance of the disintegration process, and often provides a load on the battery that causes the battery to discharge. If left uncleaned, this build-up of combustion by-products, residue and debris may render the incinerator inoperative.
- In view of the foregoing, there is a need to increase the operating performance, safety characteristics, self-cleaning treatment characteristics, and adaptability of needle incinerators.
- The present invention provides an incinerator adapted for disintegrating metal needles and lancets such as are used in the medical profession. In one embodiment of the invention, an incinerator is provided that includes first and second electrodes, each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to each other. The second electrode is rotated relative to the first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between the contact edges. A controlled power source is selectively interconnected to the first and second electrodes, with both being supported by a housing. The housing defines an opening adjacent to the electrodes for receiving metal, such as hypodermic needles, interveinous needles, lancets, etc., to be incinerated by the electrodes.
- In another embodiment of the invention, a residue collection drawer is slidably mounted within the housing adjacent to the electrodes so as to capture residue from the incineration. An electrode broom is movably mounted within the housing or the drawer, adjacent to the gap between the electrodes so as to be movable against the contact edges thereby to remove a build-up of debris resulting from incineration.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a needle incinerator formed in accordance with the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the needle incinerator shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the needle incinerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as taken along lines3-3 in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom wall of the needle incinerator shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one wiring and circuit arrangement used in connection with the present invention;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a negative incineration contact and a positive incineration contact that are used in connection with the electrode assembly of the needle incinerator, with surrounding structures removed for clarity of illustration;
- FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the negative incineration contact and positive incineration contact shown in FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the needle incinerator, as taken along lines8-8 in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 9 is a top view of the needle incinerator shown in FIG. 1, but with a top portion of a housing removed for clarity of illustration;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cleaning assembly formed in accordance with the present invention, with the surrounding structures of the needle incinerator removed for clarity of illustration; and
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cleaning assembly similar to FIG. 10, but including a negative incineration contact and a positive incineration contact that are used in connection with the electrode assembly of the needle incinerator, with the surrounding structures of the needle incinerator removed for clarity of illustration.
- This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as “horizonal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom”, “back” and “front”, as well as derivatives (thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.
- Referring to FIGS.1-3, a
needle incinerator 5 formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises ahousing 8, a power and controlassembly 10, anelectrode assembly 12, and a cleaningassembly 14. More particularly,housing 8 includes atop wall 20, a bottom 22, sidewalls 24, afront opening 26, and aback wall 28 which are all arranged to define an interior void space or chamber 29 withinhousing 8.Housing 8 is preferably formed from a durable dielectric material, such as one of the well known engineering polymers, e.g., polyhalo-olefins, polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyvinyls, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polypropylene, polyesters, polystyrenes, polydienes, polyoxides, polyamides and polysulfides and their blends, co-polymers and substituted derivatives thereof. Chamber 29 is sized and shaped to house power and controlassembly 10,electrode assembly 12, and a cleaningassembly 14.Front opening 26 provides access for cleaningassembly 14 to be placed adjacent to a portion ofelectrode assembly 12, as will hereinafter be disclosed in further detail. -
Top wall 20 defines anopening 33 which provides access toelectrode assembly 12.Opening 33 is the main aperture for inserting needles intoneedle incinerator 5 for incineration.Opening 33 is preferably circular, often with a radius of between 0.3 and 1.0 inches, and preferably about 0.6 inches. Asemi-spherical indentation 34 is defined along an edge ofhousing 8 betweentop wall 20 and asidewall 24 so thatneedle incinerator 5 can be carried with ease.Indentation 34 may be formed on both sides of housing 8 (FIGS. 2 and 8).Clips 35 are connected in the corners of bottom 22, and function to attach a top portion ofhousing 8 to bottom 22 (FIG. 4).Connection brackets 36 are positioned on the inner surface ofsidewalls 24 to engage clips 35. Anannular enclosure seal 38 is positioned around the perimeter of bottom 22.Enclosure seal 38 prevents dust and vapors from entering or exitinghousing 8 through the interface of the housing top portion and bottom 22 when the housing fully assembled and operating. - Referring to FIG. 4, four
holes 39 are defined in the corners of bottom 22. The primary function ofholes 39 is to mount four rubber grommets (not shown) to act as feet forneedle incinerator 5. A secondary function is to provide a port for the insertion of dowels (not shown) to unlockconnection clips 35 from theconnection brackets 36 and thereby release housing top portion and bottom 22. - Power and control
assembly 10 is positioned within chamber 29 ofhousing 8, and includes a power source 40, amomentary action switch 42 andcontrol electronics system 44. In a portable embodiment of the invention, direct current electrical energy is provided toelectrode assembly 12 from a battery orbatteries 46 located within arear portion 47 of chamber 29. Alternatively, when alternating current is drawn from, e.g., conventional wall outlet and a plug arrangement, a transformer (not shown) is provided withinrear portion 47 of chamber 29 to convert the alternating line current to direct current for use withelectrode assembly 12. Apower jack 45 is provided, and designed to sit flush with asidewall 24 ofhousing 8.Power jack 45 accepts a plug (not shown) from a standard wall plug-in AC/DC adapter for recharging ofbattery 46. The choice ofbattery 46 or transformer is determined by the specific range of needles to be regularly incinerated withneedle incinerator 5. For example, aneedle incinerator 5 designed to incinerate 20 to 30 gauge needles may use a 6 Volt, 5 Amp-hour battery to accomplish the incineration. - It will be understood that other ranges of gauges of needles may be incinerated with the present invention with a proper choice of battery capacity and electrode assembly.
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Momentary action switch 42 preferably comprises a plunger-type actuator 48 to actuate the switch, and is electrically interconnected between power source 40,electrode assembly 12, andcontrol electronics system 44. When plunger-type actuator 48 is fully depressed,momentary action switch 42 is closed, thereby allowing current to flow toelectrode assembly 12. When plunger-type actuator 48 is fully extended,momentary action switch 42 is open, thereby stopping the flow of any current to electrodeassembly 12. Operation of a portion of cleaningassembly 14 actuatesmomentary action switch 42, as will hereinafter be disclosed in further detail. -
Control electronics system 44 includes anoperations display 50, adisplay drive circuit 53, and a batteryrecharge protection circuit 56. More particularly, operations display 50 comprises at least three incinerator status indicators positioned on the surface oftop wall 20. The at least three incinerator status indicators may include a “Ready”status indication light 60, a “Charge”status indication light 62, and a “Clean”status indication light 64. Status indication lights 60,62, 64 are preferably light-emitting diodes (LED) each having a different color. For example, “Ready”status indication light 60, may be green to notify the user ofneedle incinerator 5 that the device is ready to incinerate a needle, and that there is sufficient power available frombattery 46 to do so. “Charge”status indication light 62 may be a yellow (amber) LED to notify the user thatbattery 46 has a lower than needed charge and is in need of recharging. “Clean”status indication light 64 may be a red LED and, when on, notifies the user that there is a potentially harmful material lodged in an active portion ofelectrode assembly 12. During operation ofneedle incinerator 5, status indication lights 60,62, 64 will often flicker or go out due to a drop in voltage frombattery 46. When incineration is complete, one of the three lights will display to indicate to the user the status ofneedle incinerator 5. In the event that all three lights remain off after incineration, an under-voltage condition inbattery 46 is indicated, at whichtime battery 46 can no longer be recharged and requires replacement. - Referring to FIG. 5,
main circuit board 68 contains the circuitry components that drive status indication lights 60,62, 64 and the circuitry components that monitor and protectbattery 46 during operation ofneedle incinerator 5 and recharging ofbattery 46. Circuit board connection clips 69 are used to attachmain circuit board 68 to the inside oftop wall 20 ofhousing 8.Main circuit board 68 is often split into two sections comprisingdisplay drive circuit 53 and battery monitoring andrecharge protection circuit 56, and includes the appropriate passive and active electronic components and interconnection circuitry for driving status indication lights 60,62,64 and for monitoring the load placed uponbattery 46 during operation and recharging, which devices and circuitry are conventional and well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. - For example, recharging
lead wire 72interconnects power jack 45 to batteryrecharge protection circuit 56. Recharginglead wire 73 interconnects batteryrecharge protection circuit 56 topositive terminal 83 ofbattery 46. LEDdrive circuit wire 74interconnects battery 46 toLED drive circuit 53.Main lead wire 75interconnects battery 46 to the positive terminal ofmomentary action switch 42.Incineration contact wires momentary action switch 42 andbattery 46 toelectrode assembly 12 so as to form a complete circuit. Rechargingwire 78interconnects battery 46 topower jack 45 to complete the circuit.LED drive wire 79 interconnects drivecircuit 53 tobattery 46 so as to complete the circuit.Battery terminal 81 is the connection site for thelead wire 75 which interconnectsbattery 46 tomomentary action switch 42 so as to complete the circuit.Battery terminal 82 interconnects leadwire 77 toelectrode assembly 12 to the power source so as to complete the circuit.Terminal 84 ofmomentary action switch 42interconnects electrode assembly 12, vialead wire 76, tomomentary action switch 42 so as to complete the circuit. - Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and6-8,
electrode assembly 12 comprises anegative incineration contact 100, apositive incineration contact 102, and anincineration chamber cowl 106. More particularly,negative incineration contact 100 is formed from a highly conductive metal, such as copper or a copper alloy, and includes a substantially straight and elongate mountingarm 110 having a throughhole 112 defined along its length and aneedle engagement plate 115 positioned at one end. Through-hole 112 is sized to receive a portion of a mounting bolt or the like 116 for securely fasteningnegative incineration contact 100 to a bulkhead 118 positioned within a front portion of chamber 29 ofhousing 8.Needle engagement plate 115 comprises a substantially flat surface defining aneedle contact edge 119, and is preferably formed fromH&H 72/28 silver alloy, silver solder mounted to copper. -
Negative incineration contact 100 is mounted to bulkhead 118 so that the longitudinal axis of mountingarm 110 is oriented substantially parallel to sidewalls 24 ofhousing 8, withneedle contact edge 119 ofneedle engagement plate 115 disposed substantially under opening 33 intop wall 20 ofhousing 8. In this position,needle engagement plate 115 is oriented at an angle of between about 12 degrees to about 25 degrees, and preferably at an angle of about 17 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis of mountingarm 110. This angled orientation ofneedle engagement plate 115 allows any needles enteringelectrode assembly 12, via opening 33, and encounteringneedle engagement plate 115 at an angle of incidence that causes the needle to stub on its surface, to be redirected towardneedle contact edge 119 ofneedle engagement plate 115 andpositive incineration contact 102 where the incineration of the needle is effected. -
Positive incineration contact 102 is formed from a highly conductive metal, such as copper or a copper alloy, and includes a substantially straight and elongate mountingarm 125 having a throughhole 128 defined along its length, a downwardlybent end portion 131, and aneedle engagement plate 135 fastened to a top surface ofend portion 131. Throughhole 128 is sized to receive a portion of a mounting bolt or the like 141 for securely fasteningpositive incineration contact 102 to abulkhead 143 positioned within a front portion of chamber 29 withinhousing 8.Needle engagement plate 135 comprises a substantially flat surface defining aneedle contact edge 147, and is preferably formed fromH&H 72/28 silver alloy, silver solder mounted to copper. -
Positive incineration contact 102 is mounted tobulkhead 143 so that the longitudinal axis of mountingarm 125 is oriented substantially parallel to sidewalls 24 ofhousing 8, withneedle contact edge 147 ofneedle engagement plate 135 disposed substantially under opening 33 intop wall 20 ofhousing 8. In this position,needle engagement plate 135 is oriented at an angle of between about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees, and preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis of mountingarm 125, and also rotationally oriented at an angle of between about 2 degrees and about 6 degrees, and preferably at an angle of about 4 degrees, relative to a vertical axis directed coaxially through opening 33 intop wall 20. - Advantageously, this combination of angular positions of
positive incineration contact 102 provides atapering gap 150 betweenneedle contact edge 119 andneedle contact edge 147. In other words,gap 150 defined betweenneedle contact edge 119 andneedle contact edge 147 is skewed such that it is narrower at one end (approximately between 0.018 and 0.024 inches) and wider at the other end (approximately between 0.028 and 0.035 inches). This feature provides a user with the capability to incinerate a large range of gauge sizes of needles, inasmuch as, larger gauge needles can be incinerated near the wider end ofgap 150 and smaller gauge needles can be incinerated near narrower end ofgap 150. -
Incineration chamber cowl 106 is sized and shaped to enclose an upper portion ofelectrode assembly 12, adjacent tonegative incineration contact 100 andpositive incineration contact 102. Two ormore clips 35 are used to connectincineration chamber cowl 106 tohousing 8. Use ofclips 35 allows for easy installation and service ofelectrode assembly 12. - Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8-9, cleaning
assembly 14 includes aresidue drawer 160 and acontact broom 163.Residue drawer 160 comprises foursidewalls 166 and a bottom 168 that together form an open receptacle that is sized and shaped to be slid throughfront opening 26 ofhousing 8, and beneathelectrode assembly 12. Afront wall 164 includes ahandle 165 formed on an outer surface for grasping during the removal ofresidue drawer 160 fromneedle incinerator 5. The primary function ofresidue drawer 160 is to collect the waste residue formed as a result of the incineration of a plurality of needles, and provide for the easy disposal of that residue. The secondary function ofresidue drawer 160 is to supportcontact broom 163. - More particularly, each longitudinally oriented
sidewall 166 and bottom 168 include a recessedchannel 170 that are sized and shaped to receivecorresponding guide rails 173 located on lower portions ofbulkheads 118 and 143, and the inner surface ofbottom 22 ofhousing 8. Recessedchannels 170 andguide rails 173 cooperate whenresidue drawer 160 is slid into and out offront opening 26 to properly alignresidue drawer 160. This is especially important in order to orientcontact broom 163 properly so as to clean incineration residue fromneedle contact edge 119 andneedle contact edge 147. It should be noted that whenresidue drawer 160 is positioned fully withinhousing 8, asidewall 166 engages and fully depresses plunger-type actuator 48 ofmomentary action switch 42, thereby closingmomentary action switch 42, and allowing current to flow to electrode assembly 12 (FIG. 3). -
Contact broom 163 comprises anelongate rod 178 having an abrasive wire, plate, or bristleassembly 179 or any combination of the three fastened on one end.Bristle assembly 179 is sized and shaped to be slid withingap 150, from its narrowest end to its widest end, and back, so as to scrape and brush residue, debris, etc., from needle contact edges 119,147.Rod 178 is attached to asidewall 166 ofresidue drawer 160 by means of clips orbolts 181 so as to project upwardly relative to bottom 168, withcontact broom 163 positioned in spaced relation toresidue drawer 160. In this way, whenresidue drawer 160 is slid intofront opening 26 ofhousing 8, and fully positioned and properly aligned withelectrode assembly 12,contact broom 163 is in coaxial aligned relation withgap 150 and spaced away fromneedle engagement plate 115 andneedle engagement plate 135. This spacial relationship betweencontact broom 163 and the needle engagement plates is especially important in order to prevent an unwanted electrical short circuit throughcontact broom 163 during operation ofneedle incinerator 5. - When
residue drawer 160 is removed fromhousing 8,contact broom 163 moves throughgap 150 thereby sweepingneedle contact edge 119 andneedle contact edge 147, and thus removing any debris or residue left from an incineration. This is especially important as any metal residue or debris left engaging bothneedle engagement plate 115 andneedle engagement plate 135 would quickly deplete any stored charge inbattery 46, or potentially cause damage to the battery. In addition, theremoval residue drawer 160 operatesmomentary action switch 42. More particularly, whenresidue drawer 160 is removed fromhousing 8, plunger-type actuator 48 is fully extended, andmomentary action switch 42 is opened, thereby stopping the flow of any current to electrodeassembly 12. - In operation, when battery monitoring and
recharge protection circuit 56 senses a build up of debris (by monitoring an increase in load onbattery 46 without incineration of a needle)status indication light 64 lights up to notify the user that needleengagement plate 115 andneedle engagement plate 135 need to be cleaned. At this point,residue drawer 160 may be removed, and the collected debris and residue discarded. It should be noted that whenresidue drawer 160 is removed fromhousing 8, plunger-type actuator 48 is fully extended, opening the circuit so that no current can flow from the power source toelectrode assembly 12. Also, whenresidue drawer 160 is removed,contact broom 163 sweeps throughgap 150 removing any residue or debris left in the contacts after incineration of a needle. Whenresidue drawer 160 is once again inserted completely intofront opening 26, plunger-type actuator 48 is fully depressed, closing the circuit and allowing current to flow frombattery 46 toelectrode assembly 12. This process may be repeated as often as need be. - It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.
Claims (29)
1. A metal incinerator comprising:
first and second electrodes each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to each other, wherein said second electrode is rotated relative to said first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between said contact edges;
a controlled power source selectively interconnecting said first and second electrodes; and
a housing supporting said electrodes and said power source and defining an opening adjacent to said electrodes for receiving metal to be incinerated by said electrodes.
2. An incinerator according to claim 1 wherein said first electrode comprises a substantially straight and elongate mounting arm having a through hole defined along its length and a needle engagement plate positioned at one end.
3. An incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said through-hole is sized to receive a portion of a mounting bolt for securely fastening said first electrode to a portion said housing.
4. An incinerator according to claim 3 wherein said needle engagement plate comprises a substantially flat surface defining said contact edge.
5. An incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said first electrode is mounted to a portion of said housing so that said mounting arm is oriented substantially parallel to a sidewall of said housing, with said contact edge disposed substantially under said opening.
6. An incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said first electrode is oriented at an angle of between about twelve degrees to about twenty-five degrees relative to said mounting arm.
7. An incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said first electrode is oriented at an angle of about seventeen degrees relative to said mounting arm.
8. An incinerator according to claim 1 wherein said second electrode comprises a substantially straight and elongate mounting arm having a through hole defined along its length, a bent end portion, and a needle engagement plate positioned on a top surface of said bent end.
9. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said through-hole is sized to receive a portion of a mounting bolt for securely fastening said second electrode to a portion said housing.
10. An incinerator according to claim 9 wherein said needle engagement plate comprises a substantially flat surface defining said contact edge.
11. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said second electrode is mounted to a portion of said housing so that said mounting arm is oriented substantially parallel to a sidewall of said housing, with said contact edge disposed substantially under said opening.
12. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said second electrode is oriented at an angle of between about thirty-five degrees to about fifty degrees relative to said mounting arm.
13. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said second electrode is oriented at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to said mounting arm.
14. An incinerator according to claim 1 wherein said second electrode is oriented rotationally oriented relative to said opening at an angle of between about two degrees and about six degrees.
15. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said second electrode is oriented rotationally oriented relative to said first electrode at an angle of about four degrees relative to said opening.
16. An incinerator according to claim 1 comprising a residue collection drawer slidably mounted within said housing adjacent said first and second electrodes.
17. A needle incinerator according to claim 16 comprising a momentary action switch electrically interconnected between said power source and said first and second electrodes and positioned within said housing so that when said residue collection drawer is positioned fully within said housing said momentary action switch is fully actuated thereby allowing power to flow to said first and second electrodes.
18. A needle incinerator for disposing of needles comprising:
a housing having an opening therein for receiving a needle,
needle destruction means disposed within said housing adjacent said opening for contacting and destroying said needle; and
a residue collection drawer slidably mounted within said housing adjacent said needle destruction means.
19. A needle incinerator according to claim 18 wherein said residue collection drawer comprises four sidewalls and a bottom that together form an open receptacle that is sized and shaped to be slid through said opening of said housing and beneath said needle destruction means so as to collect the waste residue formed as a result of incineration of a plurality of needles.
20. A needle incinerator according to claim 19 wherein two of said sidewalls are oriented longitudinally relative to said bottom and include a recessed channel that is sized and shaped to receive corresponding guide rail located on a lower portion of said housing wherein said recessed channels and guide rails cooperate when said residue drawer is slid into and out of said opening so to properly align said residue drawer within said housing.
21. A needle incinerator according to claim 18 comprising a power source adapted for providing power to said needle destruction means and a momentary action switch electrically interconnected between said power source and said needle destruction means and positioned within said housing so that when said residue collection drawer is positioned fully within said housing said momentary action switch is fully actuated thereby allowing power to flow to said needle destruction means.
22. A metal incinerator comprising:
first and second electrodes each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to each other, wherein said second electrode is rotated relative to said first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between said contact edges;
a controlled power source selectively interconnecting said first and second electrodes;
a housing supporting said electrodes and said power source and defining an opening adjacent to said electrodes for receiving metal to be incinerated by said electrodes; and
an electrode broom movably mounted within said housing adjacent said gap so as to be movable against said contact edges thereby to remove a build-up of debris resulting from incineration of said metal.
23. A metal incinerator according to claim 22 wherein said electrode broom comprises an elongate rod having means for brushingly engaging said contact edges.
24. A metal incinerator according to claim 22 wherein said electrode broom comprises at least one of an abrasive wire, a plate, and a bristle assembly fastened to an end adjacent to said contact edges.
25. A metal incinerator according to claim 22 wherein said electrode broom is sized and shaped to be slid within said tapering gap, from a narrowest end to a widest end, and back, so as to scrape and brush residue from said contact edges.
26. A metal incinerator according to claim 23 comprising a residue collection drawer slidably mounted within said housing adjacent said first and second electrodes wherein said rod is fastened to a sidewall of residue drawer.
27. A metal incinerator according to claim 26 wherein said rod projects upwardly relative to said bottom of said residue collection drawer, with said electrode broom so that when said residue collection drawer is slid into said opening of said housing, said electrode broom is in coaxial aligned relation with said gap and spaced away from said first and said second electrodes.
28. A metal incinerator comprising:
first and second electrodes each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to each other, wherein said second electrode is rotated relative to said first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between said contact edges;
a controlled power source selectively interconnecting said first and second electrodes;
a housing supporting said electrodes and said power source and having an opening for receiving metal to be incinerated by said electrodes and a residue collection drawer slidably mounted within said housing adjacent said first and second electrodes; and
an electrode broom mounted to said residue collection drawer and adjacent said gap so as to be movable within said gap and against said contact edges thereby to remove build-up of debris resulting from incineration of said metal.
29. A needle incinerator according to claim 18 comprising a momentary action switch electrically interconnected between said power source and said first and second electrodes and positioned within said housing so that when said residue collection drawer is positioned fully within said housing said momentary action switch is fully actuated thereby allowing power to flow to said first and second electrodes.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/973,355 US20020074315A1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2001-10-09 | Needle incinerator |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/563,588 US6326575B1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-05-03 | Needle incinerator |
US09/973,355 US20020074315A1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2001-10-09 | Needle incinerator |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/563,588 Continuation US6326575B1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-05-03 | Needle incinerator |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020074315A1 true US20020074315A1 (en) | 2002-06-20 |
Family
ID=24251107
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/563,588 Expired - Fee Related US6326575B1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-05-03 | Needle incinerator |
US09/973,355 Abandoned US20020074315A1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2001-10-09 | Needle incinerator |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/563,588 Expired - Fee Related US6326575B1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-05-03 | Needle incinerator |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6326575B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001317719A (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040231149A1 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2004-11-25 | Silverio Duenas Sanchez | Device for destroying sharp, pointed objects which is fitted with means for automatically unscrewing injecting needles and similar |
GB2530102A (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-03-16 | Grace Sheedy | Lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle safety incineration device and charging dock |
US20210001056A1 (en) * | 2019-07-01 | 2021-01-07 | James Palmer, III | Apparatus for destroying sharp objects and method of use |
CN114951854A (en) * | 2022-07-09 | 2022-08-30 | 巨轮智能装备股份有限公司 | Automatic electric spark machining method for tire mold pattern block |
CN115922104A (en) * | 2022-11-29 | 2023-04-07 | 萍乡市福瑞精密机械有限公司 | Sheet metal part laser cutting and blanking equipment and cutting process thereof |
Families Citing this family (2)
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GB2466926B (en) * | 2009-01-12 | 2013-03-13 | Bharat Patel | Wheeled refuse storage container |
CN109176970B (en) * | 2018-08-29 | 2020-10-16 | 新昌县铎瞿环保科技有限公司 | Garbage disposal device |
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IT1216025B (en) | 1988-03-08 | 1990-02-22 | Jeabor S A | APPARATUS SUITABLE TO OPERATE, IN AN ALMOST INSTANT WAY, THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE SYRINGE NEEDLE BY INJECTION, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR USE. |
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-
2001
- 2001-10-09 US US09/973,355 patent/US20020074315A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040231149A1 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2004-11-25 | Silverio Duenas Sanchez | Device for destroying sharp, pointed objects which is fitted with means for automatically unscrewing injecting needles and similar |
US7024761B2 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2006-04-11 | Saraito, S.L. | Device for destroying sharp, pointed objects which is fitted with means for automatically unscrewing injecting needles and similar |
GB2530102A (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-03-16 | Grace Sheedy | Lightweight, portable, handheld, rechargeable, needle safety incineration device and charging dock |
US20210001056A1 (en) * | 2019-07-01 | 2021-01-07 | James Palmer, III | Apparatus for destroying sharp objects and method of use |
US11925792B2 (en) * | 2019-07-01 | 2024-03-12 | Redhawk Medical Products & Services, Llc | Apparatus for destroying sharp objects and method of use |
CN114951854A (en) * | 2022-07-09 | 2022-08-30 | 巨轮智能装备股份有限公司 | Automatic electric spark machining method for tire mold pattern block |
CN115922104A (en) * | 2022-11-29 | 2023-04-07 | 萍乡市福瑞精密机械有限公司 | Sheet metal part laser cutting and blanking equipment and cutting process thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2001317719A (en) | 2001-11-16 |
US6326575B1 (en) | 2001-12-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |