US 5,350,562 A · Method and apparatus for sterilization and separation of plastic and non-plastic medical wastes

Abstract

Medical waste products including plastic and non-plastic elements are placed in a metal container which includes a raised insert element for supporting the waste above the bottom of the container. The container and used medical waste products are subjected to dry heat treatment at temperatures below the waste material flash points but of sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to melt the plastic elements as well as to sterilize the contents. During the heating process the metal, rubber and other non-plastic elements remain on the raised insert; whereas, the molten plastic flows through or over the side of the insert to the bottom of the container. Upon cooling the plastic and non-plastic components of the medical waste products are separated as well as being sterile such that the container can be opened and the contents separately handled for appropriate recycling. The dry heat generator conveniently may be placed in a medical office or the like and is microprocessor controlled to obtain the desired end products. The processor additionally controls an electrical interlock system whereby the heat generator unit may not be opened until an entire heat cycle has been completed, and the waste products have cooled to a safe temperature.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of heat treating and separating plastic and non-plastic elements of potentially infectious waste products, said method comprising the steps of:

providing waste products comprising plastic and non-plastic elements:
placing said waste products in a container having a bottom and side surfaces so that said products are positioned in a spaced relationship from the bottom of the container;
placing said container in a dry heat generating chamber;
heating said chamber, said container and its contents at a selectable temperature above tile melting point of said plastic elements but below tile flash points of said waste products;
and
maintaining said temperature for a period of time sufficient to sterilize said waste products and to convert said plastic elements to a molten state;
allowing the molten plastic to flow to the container bottom to form a liquid plastic pool while maintaining said non-plastic elements in said spaced relationship from the bottom of the container,
whereby said waste products are rendered sterile and said non-plastic elements are substantially separated from said plastic elements.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for sterilization and separation of plastic and non-plastic medical wastes

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for sterilization and separation of plastic and non-plastic medical wastes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18