US5038929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sharps disposal system
Assignee: BRANFORD COMPANIES Inc
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Filing: 1990-06-07
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Granted: 1991-08-13
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Expires: 2010-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A disposal system for sharp instruments comprises a rectangular container, and a plurality of elongated aligned receptacles therein for receiving sharp instruments. The receptacles each comprise a puncture resistant casing defining an entry opening, a rupturable seal deployed over the entry opening and a curable liquid contained within the casing and seal, said liquid being curable to a hardened state upon rupture of the seal. A lid pivots over the seal prior to use, and one or more of the containers is positionable on a wall bracket. A sharp instrument is inserted through the rupturable seal and immersed in the liquid within the receptacle, whereupon the liquid hardens and encases the instrument. The seal is provided with ascending numbers, respectively positioned over the entry openings, to provide a count of receptacles which have been used.
Inventors
- 👤 Susanne Kubofcik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/31; A61M5/32; A61M5/3205; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; A61B50/36; A61B50/362; A61M2005/3103; A61M2005/3107; A61M2005/3109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A disposal system for contaminated sharp instruments such as syringes, comprising at least one receptacle having a puncture resistant casing defining an entry opening, a rupturable seal deployed over the entry opening, and a curable liquid contained within the casing and seal, said liquid being curable to a hardened state upon rupture of the seal, whereby a sharp instrument may be pushed through the seal into the liquid within the receptacle and the liquid then hardens about the sharp instrument.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A disposal system for contaminated sharp instruments such as syringes, comprising at least one receptacle having a puncture resistant casing defining an entry opening, a rupturable seal deployed over the entry opening, and a curable liquid contained within the casing and seal, said liquid being curable to a hardened state upon rupture of the seal, whereby a sharp instrument may be pushed through the seal into the liquid within the receptacle and the liquid then hardens about the sharp instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 1 wherein the liquid is viscous and resists splashing and spilling as the instrument is inserted therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 2 wherein the liquid is vinyl coating solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 1 wherein the liquid includes means to inhibit the growth of biological contaminants.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of receptacles having their puncture resistant casings integrally formed and connected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 5 wherein the entry openings to the plurality of receptacles are in a common plane and the area between the entry openings is a top panel integrally connecting the plurality of receptacles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 6 wherein the rupturable seal is affixed to the top panel and extends over the entry openings to the plurality of receptacles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 7 wherein the rupturable seal includes a metal foil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 7 wherein the rupturable seal is provided with indicia indicating the respective locations of the entry openings to the plurality of receptacles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 9 wherein the indicia indicating the location of the entry openings to the receptacles include sequentially ascending numbers, whereby the number of receptacles having an instrument disposed of therein is readily ascertainable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 9 wherein the indicia include contrasting color areas positioned to indicate the locations of entry openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 5 wherein the puncture resistant casing is in the shape of a truncated cone defining a circular entry hole at its larger end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 5 wherein at least some of the receptacle casings have a circular entry opening having a diameter of approximately one inch and have a depth of approximately ten inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 5 wherein at least some of the receptacles have an entry opening having a diameter of approximately one and three quarters inches and a depth of approximately twelve inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 5 wherein the integrally formed puncture resistant casings mounted within a container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 15 wherein the container includes a lid pivotal to a position covering and protecting the rupturable seal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 15 wherein the container is a right rectangular container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 1 wherein the rupturable seal includes a metal foil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of receptacles are deployed in a container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 19 wherein the entry openings to the plurality of receptacles are in one plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 20 wherein the rupturable seal for the receptacles is a metal foil sheet deployed over the plurality of entry openings.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
35 words
A method of disposing of a sharp instrument comprising the steps of rupturing a seal covering a liquid curable upon exposure to air, immersing the instrument in the liquid and permitting the liquid to cure.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
35 words
A method of disposing of a sharp instrument comprising the steps of rupturing a seal covering a liquid curable upon exposure to air, immersing the instrument in the liquid and permitting the liquid to cure.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of disposing of a contaminated sharp instrument comprising the steps of: A) providing a receptacle having a casing defining an entry opening, an air-curable liquid within the casing and a rupturable seal over the entry opening; B) breaking the rupturable seal; C) immersing the sharp instrument in the liquid; and D) exposing the liquid to the air for curing.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of disposing of a contaminated sharp instrument comprising the steps of: A) providing a receptacle having a casing defining an entry opening, an air-curable liquid within the casing and a rupturable seal over the entry opening; B) breaking the rupturable seal; C) immersing the sharp instrument in the liquid; and D) exposing the liquid to the air for curing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A disposal system as defined in claim 19 wherein the rupturable seals deployed over the entry openings respectively include sequentially ascending numbers, whereby the number of receptacles having an instrument disposed of therein is readily ascertainable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-12 | 1995-02-11 | 1995-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-12 | 1999-02-11 | 1999-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-12 | 2003-02-11 | 2003-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |