US 5,291,746 A · Container for storage, collection and transportation of medical waste

Abstract

A refrigerated container for receiving, storing, and transporting materials without necessity of personnel contacting the materials after deposit in the container. The container is particularly adapted for use with medical wastes which may contain infectious materials. The container comprises a lower portion and a lid portion. The container lower portion includes an open-topped inner box for holding waste materials, and an open-topped insulated outer box surrounding and spaced apart from the inner box forming an annular space therebetween. The lid is releasably attached to the outer box and has doors for access into the inner box of the container. A refrigeration unit and air circulation fan are attached to the lid, and are in communication with the annular space for cooling the inner box by circularing refrigerated air through the annular space. The lower portion of the container is attached to a lifting member by a hinge and a releasable latch, such that when the latch is engaged, the container may be lifted in a horizontal position. When the latch is disengaged, the container, when lifted, will rotate about the hinge into an inverted position with the open top of the inner box facing downward.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An insulated container for storing, transporting and disposing of waste materials, comprising:

a) a waste material holding inner box, having closed bottom and sides to prevent leakage of liquid or solid waste therefrom, and having an upper access opening for admitting and removing waste materials;
b) air channel means in heat exchanging contact with the inner box, having a refrigerated air inlet and a return air outlet;
c) refrigeration means releasably attached to the container and in communication with the air channel means for refrigerating and circulating air through the air channel means to cool the inner box and the materials contained therein;
d) Access cover means attached to the container for opening to admit waste materials and for closing to shut the interior of the inner box from communication with the atmosphere and environment surrounding the container;
e) Access cover locking means for locking the access cover to the container, in a closed position for preventing waste materials from leaking or spilling from the container during transportation;
and
f) lifting means attached to the container adapted for engagement with a lifting device to invert the container and dump waste materials from the inner box through the access opening without necessity of personnel physically contacting the waste materials being removed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Container for storage, collection and transportation of medical waste

Life of this patent

Container for storage, collection and transportation of medical waste

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9