Sharps container closure and needle extractor assembly

Claim 2

A disposable container closure assembly comprising: closure frame means for mounting on an upwardly extending opening defining peripheral rim of a substantially rigid container; an opening in said frame means for receiving a disposable article; and needle removal slot means in said frame means adjacent said opening, said slot means comprising an elongated converging slot having semi-circular ends of different diameter and opposing side walls sloping inwardly from a top to a bottom surface thereof defining opposed wrench surfaces for engagement with a hub of a needle for applying torque thereto.

Claim 3

A closure assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said opening and said needle removal slot means are disposed in rectangular recesses in said frame means; a first latch lock cover for covering said opening; a second latch lock cover means for covering said needle removal slot means: and said first and second cover means each have a releasable latching mode and a permanent latching mode in said recesses.

Claim 4

A closure assembly according to claim 1 wherein: the larger of said diameters is defined by a sloping wall defining a sharp lower edge for the engagement and application of a force to a needle hub.

Claim 5

A closure assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said needle removal slot means comprises a pair of elongated slots extending in opposite directions and each having closed semi-circular ends of different diameters at the ends thereof with the larger of said diameters defined by a sloping wall defining a sharp lower edge for the engagement and application of a force to a needle hub.

Claim 6

A closure assembly according to claim 3 wherein: said wall of said end slopes at an angle of about forty-five degrees.

Claim 7

A closure assembly according to claim 5 wherein: said side walls slope at an angle of about one-half of one degree.

Claim 8

A closure assembly for medical sharps and waste container, comprising: frame means for mounting on an upwardly extending opening defined by a peripheral rim of a substantially rigid container; an opening in said frame means for receiving a disposable article; and needle removal slot means in said frame means adjacent said opening and comprising an elongated slot having semi-circular ends of different diameters at the ends thereof with opposed converging side walls and extending between said ends and the larger of said diameters defined by a sloping wall defining a sharp lower edge for the engagement and application of a force to a needle hub, and said side walls of said slot slope and extend inward from an outer surface to an inner surface of said frame, thereby defining opposed wrench surfaces for engagement with a hub of a needle for applying torque thereto.

Claim 9

A closure assembly for medical sharps and waste container, comprising: frame means for mounting on an upwardly extending opening defined by a peripheral rim of a substantially rigid container; an opening in said frame means for receiving a disposable article; and needle removal slot means in said frame means adjacent said opening and comprising an elongated slot having semi-circular ends of different diameters at the ends thereof with opposed converging side walls and extending between said ends and the larger of said diameters defined by a sloping wall defining a sharp lower edge for the engagement and application of a force to a needle hub, and said side walls of said slot slope and extend inward from an outer surface to an inner surface of said frame, thereby defining opposed wrench surfaces for engagement with a hub of a needle for applying torque thereto.

Claim 10

A closure assembly according to claim 7 wherein: said wall of said end slopes at an angle of about forty-five degrees.

Claim 11

A closure assembly according to claim 8 wherein: said opening and said needle removal slot means are disposed in rectangular recesses in said frame means; a first latch lock cover for covering said opening; a second latch lock cover means for covering said needle removal slot means; and said first and said second cover means each have a releasable latching mode and a permanent latching mode in said recesses.

Claim 12

A closure assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said opening includes one way closure means; and said needle removal slot means extend from said opening into said frame means on opposite sides of said opening.