# US 8,783,453 B2 · Needle mail-back systems and methods of making and using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,453 B2 - Document ID: US8783453B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/205,096 - Filed: 2008-09-05 - Published: 2010-03-11 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-05 - Applicants: Gregg R. Short - Inventors: Gregg R. Short - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783453B2 ## CPC - B65D 77/04: Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another - B65D 85/24: for needles, nails or like elongate small articles - A61M 5/3205: {Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles (for sharps A61B50/362; disintegrating apparatus in general B02C, e.g. B02C19/0075, B23H9/001; disposal of medical waste in general B09B3/00; receptacles for refuse disposal in general B65F1/00)} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Needle mail-back systems and kits are disclosed. Methods of making and using needle mail-back kits are also disclosed. Methods of doing business involving needle mail-back systems and kits are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to clip a needle from a syringe; a needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said needle storage compartment comprises a clipped needle storage compartment. ### Claim 2 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to clip a needle from a syringe; a needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises a return envelope that is operatively adapted and sized for mailing said needle clipping apparatus, said needle storage compartment, and said tracking documentation within a postal system. ### Claim 3 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to clip a needle from a syringe; a needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; further comprising: a return envelope operatively adapted and sized for mailing said needle clipping apparatus, said needle storage compartment, said sealable container, and said tracking documentation within a postal system; and sized for placement of said label having a return address thereon. ### Claim 4 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to clip a needle from a syringe; a needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said needle storage compartment; an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said needle storage compartment within said plastic bag; and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box. ### Claim 5 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to separate a needle from a syringe; a clipped needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment, an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment within said plastic bag, and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box; tracking documentation; a label for return shipping of the clipped needle storage compartment, said label having a return address thereon; a strip of tape; and instructions explaining how to use said needle mail-back kit; wherein said needle clipping apparatus comprises said needle storage compartment. ### Claim 6 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to separate a needle from a syringe; a clipped needle storage compartment; clipped needles within said clipped needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment; an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment within said plastic bag; and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box. ### Claim 7 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to separate a needle from a syringe; a clipped needle storage compartment; clipped needles within said clipped needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment; an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment within said plastic bag; and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box; further comprising: a return envelope operatively adapted and sized for mailing said needle clipping apparatus, said clipped needle storage compartment, said sealable container, and said tracking documentation within a postal system; and sized for placement of said label having a return address thereon. ### Claim 8 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to separate a needle from a syringe; a clipped needle storage compartment; clipped needles within said clipped needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment; an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment within said plastic bag; and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box; further comprising: a return envelope operatively adapted and sized for mailing said needle clipping apparatus, said clipped needle storage compartment, said sealable container, and said tracking documentation within a postal system; and sized for placement of said label having a return address thereon; wherein said kit is substantially free of any syringe components other than said clipped needles. ### Claim 9 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to clip a needle from a syringe; a needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; further comprising: instructions explaining how to use said needle mail-back kit; and a strip of tape. ### Claim 10 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to separate a needle from a syringe; a clipped needle storage compartment; clipped needles within said clipped needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment; an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment within said plastic bag; and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box; wherein said kit consists of said needle clipping apparatus; said clipped needle storage compartment; said clipped needles; said inner plastic bag; said inner box; said tracking documentation; said label; and a strip of tape. ### Claim 11 A needle mail-back kit comprising: a needle clipping apparatus operatively adapted to separate a needle from a syringe; a clipped needle storage compartment; clipped needles within said clipped needle storage compartment; a sealable container comprising at least one layer of packaging material; tracking documentation; and a label for return shipping, said label having a return address thereon; wherein said sealable container comprises: an inner plastic bag sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment; an inner box sized so as to contain said needle clipping apparatus and said clipped needle storage compartment within said plastic bag; and an outer box sized so as to contain said inner box; wherein said kit consists of said needle clipping apparatus; said clipped needle storage compartment; said clipped needles; said inner plastic bag; said inner box; said tracking documentation; said label; and a strip of tape; wherein said needle clipping apparatus and said needle storage compartment form a single apparatus that consists of a housing, an opening in said housing for insertion of a needle, a needle clipping blade within said housing and proximate said opening, a blade-moving mechanism that moves said needle clipping blade from a non-cutting position to a cutting position, and said needle storage compartment within said housing.