Patent US5065939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5065939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sharps container and blank
Assignee: ST LAURENT PAPER PRODUCTS CORP
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Filing: 1990-09-28
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Granted: 1991-11-19
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Expires: 2010-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, such as medical waste (used syringes, needles, and the like), is assembled from a blank, and comprises bottom, front, rear, top and end panels. The top panel has a front flap provided with opposing flap tucks which, when the container is assembled, are inserted into spaces between respective end panels and respective minor flaps of the front panel, thereby securing the top panel against inadvertent opening. The top panel also has a syringe-shaped opening which serves as an access to an inner flap of the front panel below so that, when an item to be disposed of is deposited through the opening onto the inner flap, and when a force is exerted on the inner flap from above, the inner flap rotates downward, and the item is deposited in the container. The inner flap is biased to a closed position so that, upon removal of the force, the inner flap rotates back to the closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobby L. Boothe
- 👤 Edward P. Godsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:39
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/20; B65D5/24; B65D5/248; A; A61; A61B; A61B50/00; A61B50/30; A61B50/36; A61B50/362; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/31; A61M5/32; A61M5/3205; B65D5/42; B65D5/56; B65D5/566; B65D5/64; B65D5/66; B65D5/6626; B65D5/665; B65D5/6661; B65D5/6664; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, a top panel, and a front flap connected to said top panel, said front flap including flap tuck means adapted to be engaged with said two end panels for securing said top panel in a closed condition, wherein said flap tuck means comprises first and second flap tucks disposed on opposite sides of said front flap, said first and second flap tucks being inserted between respective ones of said two end panels and an interior of said container; said front panel having first and second minor flaps connected to opposite ends of said front panel, said first and second minor flaps being folded and disposed between respective ones of said two end panels and the interior of said container; and wherein at least a folded portion of each of said first and second minor flaps lies directly beneath said first and second flap tucks, respectively, so as to inhibit removal of said first and second flap tucks, whereby the container is resistant to be opened inadvertently.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, a top panel, and a front flap connected to said top panel, said front flap including flap tuck means adapted to be engaged with said two end panels for securing said top panel in a closed condition, wherein said flap tuck means comprises first and second flap tucks disposed on opposite sides of said front flap, said first and second flap tucks being inserted between respective ones of said two end panels and an interior of said container; said front panel having first and second minor flaps connected to opposite ends of said front panel, said first and second minor flaps being folded and disposed between respective ones of said two end panels and the interior of said container; and wherein at least a folded portion of each of said first and second minor flaps lies directly beneath said first and second flap tucks, respectively, so as to inhibit removal of said first and second flap tucks, whereby the container is resistant to be opened inadvertently.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The container of claim 1, further comprising two end flaps, each of said two end flaps being connected to a respective one of said two end panels and being folded so as to form respective interior end walls of said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The container of claim 2, further comprising first and second additional minor flaps connected to respective opposite ends of said top panel and disposed between respective ones of said two end flaps and the interior of said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, said container further comprising an insert disposed in the interior of said container so as to form a liner for said container, wherein said insert comprises a bottom insert panel disposed on said bottom panel, a front insert panel disposed against said front panel, and a rear insert panel disposed against said rear panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, said container further comprising an insert disposed in the interior of said container so as to form a liner for said container, wherein said insert comprises a bottom insert panel disposed on said bottom panel, a front insert panel disposed against said front panel, and a rear insert panel disposed against said rear panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The container of claim 4, further comprising a front flap connected to said top panel, said front flap including flap tuck means adapted to be engaged with said two end panels for securing said top panel in a closed condition, whereby the container is resistant to being opened inadvertently.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said container further comprising an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said container further comprising an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The container of claim 6, wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The container of claim 7, wherein said inner flap is hingedly connected to said front panel so that a force exerted on said inner flap from above causes said inner flap to move inwardly and to deposit any item placed on said inner flap into said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The container of claim 8, wherein said inner flap is biased toward said top panel so that, when force is not exerted on said inner flap, said inner flap remains in a closed position against said top panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The container of claim 6, wherein said inner flap is biased toward said top panel so that, when force is not exerted on said inner flap, said inner flap remains in a closed position against said top panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The container of claim 6, further comprising a front flap connected to said top panel, said front flap including flap tuck means adapted to be engaged with said two end panels for securing said top panel in a closed condition, whereby the container is resistant to being opened inadvertently.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
159 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said container further comprising an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel; wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap; and wherein said inner flap is unbroken and continuous so that any item deposited through said opening rests on said inner flap, said inner flap being hingedly connected to said front panel so that a force exerted on said inner flap from above causes said inner flap to move inwardly and to deposit any item placed on said inner flap into said container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
159 words
A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said container comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said container further comprising an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel; wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap; and wherein said inner flap is unbroken and continuous so that any item deposited through said opening rests on said inner flap, said inner flap being hingedly connected to said front panel so that a force exerted on said inner flap from above causes said inner flap to move inwardly and to deposit any item placed on said inner flap into said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The container of claim 12, wherein said inner flap is biased toward said top panel so that, when force is not exerted on said inner flap, said inner flap remains in a closed position against said top panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
211 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, a top panel, and a front flap connected to said top panel, said front flap including flap tuck means adapted to be engaged with said two end panels for securing said top panel in a closed condition, wherein said flap tuck means comprises first and second flap tucks disposed on opposite sides of said front flap, said first and second flap tucks being inserted between respective ones of said two end panels and an interior of said container; said front panel having first and second minor flaps connected to opposite ends of said front panel, said first and second minor flaps being folded and disposed between respective ones of said two end panels and the interior of said container; and wherein at least a folded portion of each of said first and second minor flaps lies directly beneath said first and second flap tucks, respectively, so as to inhibit removal of said first and second flap tucks, whereby the container is resistant to being opened inadvertently.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
211 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, a top panel, and a front flap connected to said top panel, said front flap including flap tuck means adapted to be engaged with said two end panels for securing said top panel in a closed condition, wherein said flap tuck means comprises first and second flap tucks disposed on opposite sides of said front flap, said first and second flap tucks being inserted between respective ones of said two end panels and an interior of said container; said front panel having first and second minor flaps connected to opposite ends of said front panel, said first and second minor flaps being folded and disposed between respective ones of said two end panels and the interior of said container; and wherein at least a folded portion of each of said first and second minor flaps lies directly beneath said first and second flap tucks, respectively, so as to inhibit removal of said first and second flap tucks, whereby the container is resistant to being opened inadvertently.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, said container further comprising an insert disposed in the interior of said container so as to form a liner for said container, wherein said insert comprises a bottom insert panel disposed on said bottom panel, a front insert panel disposed against said front panel, and a rear insert panel disposed against said rear panel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
103 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, said container further comprising an insert disposed in the interior of said container so as to form a liner for said container, wherein said insert comprises a bottom insert panel disposed on said bottom panel, a front insert panel disposed against said front panel, and a rear insert panel disposed against said rear panel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
127 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said blank having further score line to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel; wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said blank having further score line to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel; wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
178 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said container further comprising an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel; wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap; and wherein said inner flap is unbroken and continuous so that any item deposited through said opening rests on said inner flap, said inner flap being hingedly connected to said front panel so that a force exerted on said inner flap from above causes said inner flap to move inwardly and to deposit any item placed on said inner flap into said container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
178 words
A blank for forming a container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, said blank having a plurality of score lines to form, when said blank is assembled into said container, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, two end panels, and a top panel, wherein said top panel is discontinuous so as to form an opening therein, said container further comprising an inner flap connected to said front panel and extending over an interior of said container and beneath said top panel; wherein said inner flap is accessible through said top panel so that an item to be disposed of can be deposited through said opening onto said inner flap; and wherein said inner flap is unbroken and continuous so that any item deposited through said opening rests on said inner flap, said inner flap being hingedly connected to said front panel so that a force exerted on said inner flap from above causes said inner flap to move inwardly and to deposit any item placed on said inner flap into said container.
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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) | 1994-11-18 | 1995-05-20 | 1995-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-18 | 1999-05-20 | 1999-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-18 | 2003-05-20 | 2003-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |