Apparatus for destroying syringes and like articles

Claim 2

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: a plurality of rotatable members, each having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; a plurality of stationary members, each having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; and means for rotatably mounting each of at least a plurality Of said rotatable members between respective pairs of adjacent stationary members; said given surfaces of said stationary members having a shape which defines an entrance path between said rotatable members and said stationary members, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surfaces of said stationary members having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a housing and a receptacle mounted therein adjacent said rotatable and stationary members for receiving destroyed syringes or like objects therein, said receptacle being pivotally mounted relative to said rotatable and stationary members.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a removable cartridge means for feeding said syringes or like objects to said at least one rotatable and said at least one stationary members.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cartridge means comprises a plurality of chambers for receiving syringes therein.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said entrance path defined between said rotatable members and said given surfaces is reduced or tapered to such a degree that, in the lateral direction of the apparatus, no clearance exists between said given surfaces and the periphery of said rotatable members.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said given surfaces of said stationary members extend inwardly at substantially the end of said given surfaces remote from said entrance path to such a degree as to overlap said rotatable members in the lateral direction of said apparatus.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said inwardly extending end surfaces of said stationary members have no serrations thereon.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable members are mounted on a common shaft, and including means for rotatably driving said common shaft.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of finger members interposed between adjacent rotatable members to deflect fragments of the destroyed syringes.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a base portion mounted below said rotatable members and spaced from the serrated surfaces of said rotatable members for receiving and conveying destroyed syringes and fragments thereof.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable members are serrated about the complete periphery thereof.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stationary members are substantially flat and wherein said given surfaces are arcuate surfaces.

Claim 14

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surfAce of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object; and means for feeding said syringes to said entrance path in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the orientation of said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member.

Claim 15

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surfAce of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object; and means for feeding said syringes to said entrance path in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the orientation of said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 13 comprising a plurality of said rotatable members and a plurality of said spaced stationary members, each rotatable member being respectively mounted between a pair of adjacent stationary members.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said syringes comprise elongated tubular members and said feeding means includes alignment means defining at least one horizontally elongated tortuous feed path leading to said entrance path to insure said substantially horizontal orientation of the longitudinal axis of a syringe when it reaches said entrance path.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 15 comprising a pair of feeding means for receiving different sized syringes and for feeding said syringes to said entrance path over respective tortuous feed paths to insure said substantially horizontal orientation of a syringe when it reaches said entrance path.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said feeding means comprises at least a pair of spaced partitions mounted above said entrance path and together defining at least two changes in direction of the feed path for said syringes prior to said syringes reaching said entrance path.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein each partition has angularly connected portions, the interface between angularly connected portions being horizontally oriented.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said partitions are comprised of a plurality of flat plate-like sections.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 13 comprising a housing and a receptacle mounted therein adjacent said rotatable and stationary members for receiving destroyed syringes or like objects therein, said receptacle being pivotally mounted relative to said rotatable and stationary members.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said receptacle contains means for receiving a disposable container therein.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 20 comprising means for observing the condition of said receptacle from outside of said housing of said apparatus.

Claim 25

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising a housing containing: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum laterial dimension of said syringe or like object; and a receptacle pivotally mounted to said housing adjacent said rotatable and stationary members for receiving destroyed syringes or like objects therein, said receptacle being pivotally mounted relative to said rotatable and stationary members for removal of destroyed syringes therefrom.

Claim 26

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising a housing containing: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum laterial dimension of said syringe or like object; and a receptacle pivotally mounted to said housing adjacent said rotatable and stationary members for receiving destroyed syringes or like objects therein, said receptacle being pivotally mounted relative to said rotatable and stationary members for removal of destroyed syringes therefrom.

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 23 comprising a plurality of said rotatable members and a plurality of said spaced stationary members, each rotatable member being respectively mounted between a pair of adjacent stationary members.

Claim 28

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or the like objects, comprising a housing containing: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least sustantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having aadjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object; and receiving means mounted to said housing above said entrance path for receiving at least one syringe or like object therein and for feeding said at least one syringe or like object to said entrance path, said receiving means being pivotally mounted to the upper portion of said housing.

Claim 29

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or the like objects, comprising a housing containing: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least sustantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having aadjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object; and receiving means mounted to said housing above said entrance path for receiving at least one syringe or like object therein and for feeding said at least one syringe or like object to said entrance path, said receiving means being pivotally mounted to the upper portion of said housing.

Claim 30

Apparatus according to claim 25 comprising a plurality of said rotatable members and a plurality of said spaced stationary members, each rotatable member being respectively mounted between a pair of adjacent stationary members.

Claim 31

Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said receiving means assumes a first position defining a receptacle for receiving at least one syringe to be destroyed, and a second position wherein said receptacle empties its contents towards said entrance path.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said receiving means is an elongated receptacle and wherein in said second position, said receiving means blocks said entrance path from reception of any additional articles from outside of said housing.

Claim 33

Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said receiving means is coupled to an actuating means for selectively pivoting said receiving means between said first and second positions.

Claim 34

Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said receiving means has a gear coupled thereto, and wherein said actuating means comprises a rack engageable with said gear for moving said receiving means between said first and second positions.

Claim 35

Apparatus according to claim 29 comprising drive means for imparting rotation to said at least one rotatable member, and wherein said actuating means is further operatively coupled to said drive means to turn said drive means on when said receiving means is in said second position, and to turn said drive means off when said receiving means is in said first position.

Claim 36

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having serrations over aT least a portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; and cartridge means for feeding said syringes or like objects to said at least one rotatable and said at least one stationary members, said cartridge means comprising a plurality of chambers for receiving said syringes or like objects therein.

Claim 37

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having serrations over aT least a portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; and cartridge means for feeding said syringes or like objects to said at least one rotatable and said at least one stationary members, said cartridge means comprising a plurality of chambers for receiving said syringes or like objects therein.

Claim 38

Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said chambers are oriented so as to orient said received syringes in a substantially horizontal and lateral position relative to the orientation of said at least one rotatable and said at least one stationary members.

Claim 39

Apparatus according to claim 32 comprising a housing, said housing including means for removably receiving said cartridge means, and at least one opening in communication with said entrance path.

Claim 40

Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said cartridge receiving means includes means for advancing said cartridge relative to said housing so as to register selected chambers thereof to said at least one opening.

Claim 41

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said receiving means includes means for advancing said cartridge in a step-by-step manner so as to register successive chambers thereof to said at least one opening.

Claim 42

Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said cartridge comprises a slideable bottom which engages an engaging means on said housing so as to open selected chambers to said opening in said housing.

Claim 43

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said advancing means advances said cartridge relative to said housing and relative to said slideable bottom of said cartridge after said slideable bottom engages said engaging means on said housing.

Claim 44

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having serrations over at least a portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; a housing for said at least one rotatable and stationary members; and receiving means pivotally mounted to an upper portion of said housing above said entrance path for receiving at least one syringe or like object therein and for feeding said at least one syringe or like object to said entrance path, said receiving means being pivotally movable between a first position defining a receptacle for receiving at least one syringe to be destroyed, and a second position wherein said receptacle empties its contents towards said entrance path.

Claim 45

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having serrations over at least a portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; a housing for said at least one rotatable and stationary members; and receiving means pivotally mounted to an upper portion of said housing above said entrance path for receiving at least one syringe or like object therein and for feeding said at least one syringe or like object to said entrance path, said receiving means being pivotally movable between a first position defining a receptacle for receiving at least one syringe to be destroyed, and a second position wherein said receptacle empties its contents towards said entrance path.

Claim 46

Apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said receiving means is an elongated receptacle and wherein in said second position, said receiving means blocks said entrance path from reception of any additional articles from outside of said housing.

Claim 47

Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said receiving meaNs is coupled to an actuating means for selectively pivoting said receiving means between said first and second positions.

Claim 48

Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said receiving means has a gear coupled therto, and wherein said actuating means comprises a rack engageable with said gear for moving said receiving means between said first and second positions.

Claim 49

Apparatus according to claim 41 comprising drive means for imparting rotation to said at least one rotatable member, and wherein said actuating means is further operatively coupled to said drive means to turn said drive means on when said receiving means is in said second position, and to turn said drive means off when said receiving means is in said first position.

Claim 50

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object; and removable cartridge means for feeding said syringes or like objects to said rotatable and stationary members.

Claim 51

Apparatus for destroying medical syringes, or like objects, comprising: at least one rotatable member having a circumferential row of aligned serrations along at least a portion of the periphery thereof; at least one stationary member having a row of aligned serrations over at least a substantial portion of a given surface thereof which faces the periphery of said at least one rotatable member; means for rotatably mounting said at least one rotatable member laterally offset relative to said at least one stationary member; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having a shape which defines an entrance path between said at least one rotatable member and said at least one stationary member, said entrance path tapering from an entrance dimension larger than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object to a dimension at least substantially smaller than said maximum lateral dimension of said syringe; said given surface of said at least one stationary member having said serrations over at least a substantial portion of the portion thereof which defines said tapered entrance path; said serrations having adjacent teeth which are closely spaced, the spacing between said teeth and the depth of said teeth being substantially less than the maximum lateral dimension of said syringe or like object; and removable cartridge means for feeding said syringes or like objects to said rotatable and stationary members.

Claim 52

Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said cartridge means comprises a plurality of chambers for receiving syringes therein.

Claim 53

Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said chambers are oriented so as to orient said received syringes in a substantially horizontal and lateral position relative to the orientation of said at least one rotatable and said at least one stationary members.

Claim 54

Apparatus according to claim 44 comprising a housing, said housing including means for removably receiving said cartridge means, and at least one opening in communication with said entrance path.

Claim 55

Apparatus according to claim 47 comprising means in said housing for feeding syringes from said at least one opening to said entrance path, said feeding means including means defining at least one tortuous path between said at least one opening and said entrance path.

Claim 56

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said housing has two openings of different sizes therein, and wherein said feeding means includes means defining respective tortuous paths between said respective openings and said entrance path.

Claim 57

Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said means defining said at least one tortuous path comprises a plurality of flat plate-like sections oriented to define at least two changes in direction of the feed path to insure that a syringe is substantially horizontal when it reaches said entrance path.

Claim 58

Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said cartridge receiving means comprises a plurality of chambers for receiving syringes therein and further includes means for advancing said cartridge relative to said housing so as to register selected chambers thereof to said at least one opening.

Claim 59

Apparatus according to claim 51 comprising a plurality Of said rotatable members and a plurality of said spaced stationary members, each rotatable member being respectively mounted between a pair of adjacent stationary members.

Claim 60

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said receiving means includes means for advancing said cartridge in a step-by-step manner so as to register successive chambers thereof to said at least one opening.

Claim 61

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said cartridge comprises a slideable bottom which engages an engaging means on said housing so as to open selected chambers to said opening in said housing.

Claim 62

Apparatus according to claim 54 wherein said advancing means advances said cartridge relative to said housing and relative to said slideable bottom of said cartridge after said slideable bottom engages said engaging means on said housing.

Claim 63

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said cartridge includes a side rail having a plurality of indentations thereon, and wherein said advancing means include gear means engageable with said side rail for moving said side rail relative to said housing.

Claim 64

Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said advancing means includes a spring-detent mechanism for positively locating said cartridge at given positions relative to said housing.

Claim 65

Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said side rail is a rack gear which is engageable with said gear of said housing.