Medical waste containers and lids therefore

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9561084-B2
Application number	US-201615072813-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2016
Priority date	Sep 30, 2011
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

Waste container lid assemblies configured for attachment to a base having a lid body and cap portion slidably connected by a tether. The lid body having an opening sized to accept medical waste and restrict access to prevent individuals from reaching into the waste container through the opening. A slot is in the lid body to permit slidable movement of the tether through the slot such the cap can be moved from a resting position in which the opening is configured for receiving waste to a closed position such that the cap portion covers the opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A waste container comprising:
a base having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining a receptacle for receiving medical waste; and
a lid assembly including a lid body configured for assembly to the base, the lid body including a raised surface extending from an upper surface of the lid body, the lid assembly comprising:
a cap portion connected to the lid body that covers an opening in the lid body, the opening located in a forward portion of the lid body and sized to accept medical waste and restrict access to prevent individuals from reaching into the waste container through the opening, the raised surface in a rearward portion of the lid body defining a notched area and engaging the cap portion when the cap portion is in a resting position.
a tether slidably connecting the cap portion to the lid body, and
a slot located within the notched area of the raised surface in the lid body to permit slidable movement of the tether through the slot such the cap can be moved from the resting position such that the opening is configured for receiving waste to a closed position such that the cap portion covers the opening, and the slot is located within the notched area.

wherein the tether engages the slot such that the cap portion is permitted to move forwardly and rearwardly.

2. The waste container of claim 1 , wherein the cap portion includes a recess configured to engage the raised surface.

3. The waste container lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the slot is located adjacent the raised surface.

4. The waste container of claim 1 , wherein the opening is surrounded by a raised peripheral lip extending from an upper surface of the lid body, and the cap portion includes a peripheral channel to engage the raised peripheral lip.

5. The waste container of claim 4 , wherein the cap portion includes at least a pair of locking tabs and lid body includes at least a pair of slits positioned to accept the locking tabs to lock the cap portion in a closed position.

6. The waste container of claim 5 , wherein the locking tabs include radially projecting fins sized to provide an interference fit when sliding through the slits into the closed position and prevent removal of the cap portion from the lid body.

7. The waste container lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap portion and tether are integrally formed.

8. The waste container lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the forward portion and the rearward portion are tilted relative to each other.

9. The waste container lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lid assembly is made of a thermoplastic material.

10. A waste container comprising:
a base having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining a receptacle for receiving medical waste; and
a lid assembly including a lid body configured for assembly to the base,
a cap portion connected to the lid body that covers an opening in the lid body, the opening sized to accept medical waste and restrict access to prevent individuals from reaching into the waste container through the opening, the opening surrounded by a raised peripheral lip extending from an upper surface of the lid body, and the cap portion includes a peripheral channel to engage the raised peripheral lip
a tether slidably connecting the cap portion to the lid body, and
a slot in the lid body to permit slidable movement of the tether through the slot such the cap can be moved from a resting position such that the opening is configured for receiving waste to a closed position such that the cap portion covers the opening,
wherein the cap portion includes at least a pair of locking tabs and lid body includes at least a pair of slits positioned to accept the locking tabs to lock the cap portion in a closed position, and the locking tabs include radially projecting fins sized to provide an interference fit when sliding through the slits into the closed position and prevent removal of the cap portion from the lid body.

Assignees

• Becton Dickinson Co

Inventors

• Stark Kenneth O

Classifications

• B65F1/1607

  with filling openings · CPC title

• A61B50/362 Primary

  for sharps · CPC title

• A61B2050/0082

  Rib-and-groove connection · CPC title

• B65F2001/1676

  relating to means for sealing the lid or cover, e.g. against escaping odors · CPC title

• A61B2050/0059

  parallel to the lid plane · CPC title