MXPA97007171A - Apparatus and method for the transportation and discarding of medium materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for use in transporting and disposing or disposing of medical instruments, comprising: a container body having an opening and an internal volume; a self-closing twisted wing at an associated entry site arranged uppermost as a part of the container, to provide the selective deposit of medical instruments used in the volume, said flap is securely connected to the body of the container as part of an opening cover, and a protection or security guard disposed within the volume internal that prevents a direct path through the place of entry to medical instruments and waste disposed within the volume, said security guard comprising an access hole through which medical products have a size that allows them to enter through of the alternating entry opening, go inside the inter volume

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE TRANSPORTATION AND DISCHARGE OF MEDICAL MATERIALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

This patent application is a continuation in part of the co-pending United States application with Serial No. 08 / 294,533 filed on August 8, 1994 which is a continuation in part of another co-pending United States application with a Serial Number. 08 / 207,480 filed on March 7, 1994, the disclosures of both applications are specifically incorporated herein.

Field of Invention The present invention relates in general to assemblies of containers that are useful for the transport and disposal of medical puncture-cutting instruments and other materials and more specifically to assemblies of containers that provide evidence of tampering when opened after transportation of new medical materials. , to container assemblies that prevent direct access through them to shears that have previously been deposited in the container assembly and to container assemblies that include apparatus for cutting a tube for which a medical needle is attached to thereby deposit the needle and only a portion of the tube in the container assembly.

The State of the Present Art.

The possibility of exposure to AIDS or other life-threatening diseases by medical personnel having used sharp medical materials has created a crucial need for an improved container that provides better protection against the contraction of life-threatening diseases. The term "edge" refers to sharp medical instruments such as syringes, scalpels, lancets and the like.

The punch-shear containers have been developed to facilitate the disposal of used medical instruments. The instruments used may be contaminated by patients' bodily fluids, or for other reasons may require sanitary disposal. However, typical sharps containers require medical personnel to handle the sharp instrument during insertion into the container. For example, some sharps containers have two twisted fins through which the punches are inserted horizontally by pressing them down on the edge while being forced into the container. As the container fills, the medical staff runs the risk of being injured by a previously inserted needle. Likewise, it is common for the puncture-cutting containers to provide easy and direct access to the punches previously deposited through an opening in the container.

Additionally, improvements in the transport capacity of used punch-cutters and their arrangement in the same container may be desirable. New puncture-shears are typically transported in one type of container and are available in another container after use. In addition, it is generally recognized by those skilled in the transport and disposal of medical instruments, that it is critically important to provide evidence of tampering for each user immediately before opening a container of new medical instruments. Also, it is desirable to provide a closure or seal of the cover of a filled container at a certain level to which it is ready for final disposal.

In some cases, in the management of butterfly needles fixedly fastened to long tubes, for example, it is desirable to cut the tube close to the needle to deposit the needle in a container for one mode of disposal and the remainder of the tube in another container for another way of disposition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to solve a number of problems that have been experienced in prior art, as identified above. More specifically, apparatuses and methods within the scope of this invention constitute an important advance in the art of containers, as is evident from the following objects and advantages recognized by the invention over prior art.

An object of the present invention is to avoid the handling of objects being arranged by personnel during their insertion into the container, thereby avoiding contact with previously arranged punch-cutters or other medical materials.

It is an important object to provide a convertible container that provides safety and safe transportation of new medical equipment, such as new piercing-cutting, and its subsequent conversion to a sharps-board container.

It is an equally important object to provide evidence of alteration if the container is opened prematurely, on the other, before the actions, by a user of good faith, to remove new sharps and to turn the container into a sharps container.

It is a consistent object to provide a security guard that prevents direct access, through dedicated openings for the deposit of used punches-sharps, to objects previously deposited inside the container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cover for interchangeable use with a plurality of bodies dedicated to receiving used punches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-closing cover over the opening of the container.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for closing the container cover in a closed position to make it resistant to alteration.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for the removal and disposition of syringe needles.

As it is sometimes desirable to separate a fixed needle surely to a length of tube such that the needle is stored in a sharps punch container and the tube is cut for later disposal in another container, it is an object to provide a tube cutter apparatus as a part of the cover.

The container must also be disposable and made of non-toxic and incinerable materials, while the container may be incinerated and / or disposed at a disposal site.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description that follows, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.

Summarized briefly, the preceding objects are achieved by a container assembly that is used both for the transport of new cutting punches and for the disposition of used or contaminated cutting punches.

The preferred embodiment comprises a cover and a body of the container. The cover is designed to be interchangeable with a variety of container bodies of different sizes. The cover is also designed to be temporarily secured to the body of the container while new medical instruments are transported. When the container is used for disposal purposes, the cover is preferably permanently secured to the body of the container.

When the container is used to transport new medical instruments, the cover is also secured to the body of the container but is releasable so as to provide evidence of tampering when removed. A complement of alteration evidence production mechanisms provide a plurality of selections of alteration evidence producers including a collar that closes the cover in place on the body of the container, which is a shrinkable enclosure that encloses the entire container and a cover which encloses the new medical instruments stored in the body of the container.

The opening of the cover is relatively restricted. While the receipt of contaminated medical instruments is allowed, the opening of the cover substantially prevents the removal of instruments previously disposed in the associated container. The cover includes an area for the placement of a contaminated article where a person can then deposit the article inside the body of the container without touching the item being arranged as well as articles previously arranged by the action of a single hand. Furthermore, the cover prevents further handling of items used by medical personnel subsequently available to them.

In addition, one embodiment of the container comprises a security guard that prevents direct access (straight line) to items deposited within the container through the cover opening. In some applications, a tube cutter may be incorporated into the cover to allow a needle, as a resident of the container, to be separated from the tube to which it has previously been secured. s Non-medical items, transported and disposed through the use of an inventive container cover and assembly, may also be stored. For example, batteries, industrial articles, chemical articles, cosmetics and computer software can be transported in a container embodying the present invention and then be arranged in the same container. Household maintenance items such as chlorine bleach, bleach, soap, phosphates, ammonia, vinegar and alcohol can also be transported and disposed in the same container.

When used with medical or chemical products, the container assembly may also contain an absorbent pad and chemical agents to neutralize the articles. In addition, the inventive container assembly can be used for transportation and storage of agricultural articles and automotive parts. The dirty automotive parts can then be safely disposed in the same container. Other uses for the container include transportation and disposal of environmentally unsafe products such as oil and coils.

These and other features of the present invention can be better understood from the following specification and drawings, of which the following is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In favor of making more completely understandable the manner in which the above-cited advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings describe only the typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting their scope, the presently preferred embodiments and the best present known manner of the invention will be described in further detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the container assembly in a closed position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the separate cover of the container.

Figure 3 is a top view of the container assembly in a closed position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly.

Figure 5 in a perspective view showing the cover formed as part of the container assembly.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an alternative means for securing the cover to the container by means of arrow tabs.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical container assembly.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the cover formed as part of the body of the cylindrical container.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a container assembly, similar to the container assembly seen in Figure 4, where a security guard is disposed below a closed cover.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of Figure 9, with the cover arranged in an open position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the body of the container comprising security guard slots for the trapped addition of the security guard.

I I Figure 12 is a perspective view of a security guard.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a container assembly having a cover closed and secured by a collar, with some parts removed for clarity of presentation, the collar comprising portions that provide evidence of tampering when the collar is completely or partially detached of the container assembly to release the cover for subsequent access to the contents of the container.

Figure 14 is an enlarged perspective view seen in Figure 13, with some parts of the collar removed for clarity of presentation.

Figures 14A, 14B and 14C are sections of the collar seen in Figure 14, taken respectively along lines 14A-14A, 14B-14B and 14C-14C.

Figure 15 is a top elevation view of the collar seen in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a container assembly with shrink wrap.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a body of the container comprising a closing seal of content that provides evidence of tampering when it is partially or completely removed.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an interior of a cover with a slider in a position that allows the cover to be opened and allowing a cutting edge of a pipe cutting knife to be seen.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the cover seen in Figure 18 with the slider in a closed container position.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the cover showing a slot through which a protrusion of the slider slides to open, close and lock positions.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of a container having a shell body molded as a single part.

Figure 22 is a top elevation view of the cover body of Figure 21 before being bent to assemble it on a base container. Figure 23 is a perspective view of a section of the cover body of Figure 21.

Figure 24A is a sectional view of the cover body of Figure 21 taken along the lines 24AB-24AB of Figure 21, wherein a cover of the cover body is closed.

Figure 24B is a sectional view of the cover body of Figure 21 taken along lines 24AB-24AB of Figure 21, wherein a cover body cover is almost closed.

Figure 25A is a cross-sectional view of the cover body of Figure 21 taken along the lines 25AB-25AB, wherein a arm portion of the cover is opened to almost fit with the safety cradle portion of the cover. cover body.

Figure 25B is a cross-sectional view of the cover body of Figure 21 taken along the lines 25AB-25AB, wherein the same arm portion of the cover mentioned for Figure 25A above, moves to adjust with the safety cradle portion of the cover body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Reference is now made to the drawings, where numerals have been used to denote the elements. In Figures 1-8, the container assembly of the present invention, generally designated 20, comprises a cover body 22, a self-closing twisted fin 26, an opening 28 and a container body 30.

In those cases where the items in Figures 9-25B are similar, but not exactly the same items, in Figures 1-8, premium numbers are used to signify a difference. For example, a different cover body may be denoted by 22 'or 22"instead of the cover body 22 as seen in Figure 1.

The container body 30 defines a volume 32 and includes an opening 34. Although Figures 1-6 illustrate a rectangular-shaped volume 32, a skilled in the art will recognize that many other forms fall within the scope of this invention. For example, the container assembly can be square, spherical or cylindrical as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Of course, the manufacturer's interests are important in determining the shape of volume 32. In the preferred embodiment, the body of cover 22 is separated from container body 30. Cover body 22 is adapted to be used with a plurality of container bodies 30. Design features facilitate easy fabrication in which a variety of containers of multiple sizes are produced for used with a "one-size-fits-all" cover. However, the cover body 22 can also be formed as part of the body of the container 30 as shown in Figures 5 and 8. Each of these elements, as well as many others, will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The cover 22 and the body of the container 30 are preferably constructed of a semi-rigid plastic or a similar material that is lightweight, non-toxic, incinerable, inexpensive, easily fabricable and robust. Size considerations may dictate that the container body 30 also comprise ribs to improve structural integrity.

The twisted fin 26 includes a first end 66 and a second end 68 wherein the tilting characteristic is achieved with a living hinge 38 at the first end 66. A living hinge is defined as a hinge formed of a material having memory, such that When the material of the hinge is twisted by force, the material returns to its original position in the hinge. The hinged material can be notched along the living hinge. The inclination can also be achieved by a spring interposed between the twisted wing 26 and the body of the container 30.

The container assembly 20 also comprises a cradling means for inserting medical instruments and debris into the body of the container 30 through the opening 28, wherein the cradling means has a floor 72 which in one embodiment is disposed on the flap twisted 26. In another embodiment, the floor 72 is in contact with, but separated from, the twisted fin 26. The wedge means is defined by an area surrounded by enclosing walls. A first enclosing wall 70 extends outwardly from the container body 30. The bent fin 26 has a first side 45 and a second side 46, wherein the first enclosing wall 70 extends from the first side 45 to the second side 46 of the twisted fin 26 and is located between the first end 66 and the second end 68 of the twisted fin 26. The second enclosure wall is defined by a combination of enclosing walls 44, 62 and 64. When the floor 72 is disposed at a position inferior to the confinement walls 62 and 64, the vertical sides of the container body 30 form the enclosing walls. The second enclosing wall extends outwardly over the opening of the body of the container 34 and is defined by the perimeter of the opening of the body of the container 34 abutting the second end 68 of the twisted fin 26 and the first side 45 and second side 46 of the twisted wing 26 between the first confinement wall 70 and the second end 68 of the twisted fin 26, such that a floor of cradling means 72 is defined by the area enclosed by the first and second confinement walls. One skilled in the art will recognize that the enclosing walls may be constituted in a number of securing combinations to the cover body 22 or the container body 30. For example, the enclosing wall 62 and the enclosing wall 64 may be formed with the first enclosing wall 70 of the twisted fin 26. Alternatively, the first enclosing wall 70, the enclosing wall 62, and the enclosing wall 64 may be formed as part of the enclosing wall 44 on the container body 30. The cradling means may also comprise a remote area in the twisted fin 26 or be a separate area juxtaposed to the twisted fin 26. For example, the twisted fin 26 may advance inwardly such that the sides of the container body 30 act as confinement walls, as stipulated recently.

The container assembly also comprises a stopping means for holding the twisted wing 26 in a closed position. Preferably, the stopping means comprises a second wing 24 fixed to the body of the container 30 in the opening 34 and extending towards the twisted wing 26 such that the second wing 24 overlaps a portion 36 of the twisted wing 26. The twisted wing 26 is bent against the second flap 24 by the use of a living hinge 38. In this manner, the opening 28 is normally closed. In this embodiment, second flap 24 also includes a first end and a second end 40 and 42, respectively. The second end 42 of the second flap 24 includes a closure wall 44 projecting in a direction normal to the second flap 24. The stop means may also comprise one or more tabs positioned in the opening of the container 34 and overlaps a portion thereof. of the second end 68, first side 45, or second side 46 of the twisted wing 26.

The cover body 22 is fastened to the body of the container 30 by means of securing or joining. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment means comprises a plurality of tabs 47 located on the perimeter of the cover body 22. Each tab 47 includes a distal end in which a protruding edge 51 is disposed for adjustment with a corresponding female slot located therein. in the container. Once the tongue 47 is fully inserted through the female slot 53, the protruding edge 51 locks the tabs in place. Alternatively, hinged pull tabs hingedly secured to the cover can be used, as shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, each pull tab includes a female end 48 of an arrow lock for adjustment with a corresponding male end. located in the body of the container 30. One skilled in the art will recognize that these methods serve as attachment or securing means, although other methods that are equivalent may be used falling within the scope of this invention. For example, the securing means may comprise a tongue and groove configuration or other tongue locking configurations typically found in cover and container assemblies. The joining means may be continuous or intermittent around the perimeter of the opening of the container 34 and the cover body 22.

In the preferred embodiment, the tabs 47 and the slots 53 are not positioned symmetrically around the perimeter of the cover 22 so that the cover 22 can be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to avoid permanent securing during shipment of new medical instruments. Once the new medical instruments are removed, the cover 22 is then oriented to fit the tabs 47 in the corresponding slots 53 for permanent securing while the container 30 is being used for disposal purposes. Alternative insurance means could also be misaligned for temporary and then permanent insurance.

The container assembly 20 further comprises a means for locking the twisted wing 26 in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment the locking means comprises a plate 74 slidably mounted in the lower part 76 of the second flap 24. The plate 74 slides along tracks 77. The second end 68 of the crooked flap 26 includes a notch 78 which is configured to adjust the contour of a tongue 80 extending outwardly from the plate 74. The profile of the tongue 80 is recessed thereby not contacting the notch 78 when the plate 74 is in the open position such that the Twisted wing 26 can be lowered freely. The closed position is defined by positioning the plate 74 so that the tongue 80 is located adjacent the notch 78 or at least covering a portion of the end 68 of the twisted wing 26, thereby preventing the folding of the twisted wing 26, as it is shown in Figure 2 (and also in Figure 19). The second flap 24 also includes a slot 82 for sliding translation of a button 84 attached to the platen 74 to position it in an open, closed, or permanently closed or locked position. The closed or permanently closed position is defined by the button 84 extended beyond a tapered section 86 in the slot 82 of a width slightly smaller than the button 84.

Additionally, a strip of adhesive tape can be employed as a method of sealing the first and second fins 26 and 24, respectively, together.

The container assembly 20 further comprises a means for withdrawing needles from a syringe. In the preferred embodiment, a thinned opening 88 located in the second flap 24 is used to extract needles from a syringe. The needle is removed from the syringe by desirably adjusting the base of the needle in the narrowest portion of the thinned opening., admitting it and rotating the syringe in such a way that the threaded base of the needle is dislodged from the syringe and falls into the volume 32. The means for extracting needles may also comprise openings of multiple measures, either separate or in series, which correspond to the geometry of the base of the needle such that the base of the needle is inserted through the opening, the sides of the opening lockably tighten the base of the needle for removal of the needle and insertion into the container assembly 20.The container assembly 20 is also adapted to be mounted on a wall surface by means of a bracket 90 which is attached to the body of the container 30 and a corresponding adapter rigidly secured to the surface of the wall. For example, this adaptation of the container assembly 20 is advantageous in a hospital environment where a number of medical personnel can use the invention in a centralized and convenient location.

The assembly of the container 20 is used for the transportation and disposal of medical instruments as described so far. When the assembly of the container 20 is used for transporting new medical instruments, the new instruments (probably arranged in a separate package) are placed within the volume of the container 32 with the cover 22 temporarily secured by orienting the tabs 47 and the grooves 53 in an outlined position. When the container assembly 20 is used for disposing of used medical instruments, the cover 22 is permanently secured to the container 30 by orienting the tabs 47 and the corresponding slots 53 in the aligned position such that the tabs 47 slide through the slots 53. and the projecting edges 51 lock the tabs 47 in place. The desired medical instruments are inserted into the container assembly 20 by placing the instruments on the 72nd floor of the wedging means defined by the enclosing walls, such as the walls 44, 62, 64 and the first enclosing wall 70, and then pressed downwardly on the area between the floor 72 of the cradling means and the living hinge 38, thereby causing the instruments to fall into the volume 32 without contacting dirty or contaminated instruments by the hand of the disposer. the instruments are deposited in the container 20, the danger that one or more instruments accidentally fall or damage someone is virtually eliminated. When the container 20 is filled to a certain level (preferably at a level that is less than 75% of the capacity of the container), then the cover body 22 of the container assembly 20 is locked by sliding the button 84 to the closed position permanent before transport. A handle 92 attached to the container assembly 20 further facilitates its portability.

Even when the danger of accidental falling of instruments or damage to someone is virtually eliminated by the self-closing operation of the living hinge 38, it may be tempting for a determined user to retrieve an article previously deposited in volume 32. It is now refers to Figures 9-12 where a new security guard is described. As seen in Figures 9 and 10, a security guard 100 is arranged to prevent direct access (straight line or line of sight) through the opening 28.

Even when the security guard 100 can be made in many ways as is known and understood by someone skilled in the art, the preferred mode of the security guard should be economically and easily installed in the assembly of the container 20. As seen in the Figure 12, the currently preferred mode of the security guard 100 is made of a single sheet of material. The appropriate material can be plastic or a medium grade board. If cardboard is used, it preferably comprises a plastic laminate cover.

The guard 100 is formed by the selection of a preferably rectangular sheet 101 of the appropriate material, which is cut to a size with dimensions that are defined below. As seen in Figure 12, the sheet 101 comprises a plurality of edges, 102, 104, 106 and 108. The sheet 101 is folded or folded along the line 10 which is parallel with the adjacent edges 106 and 106 of the sheet 101. In this way, an angle 112 is formed between two preferably parallel sides juxtaposed 1 14 and 116. The sides 114 and 116 are arranged, one in relation to the other, so that the angle 112 is acute, preferably in the range from 70 ° to 80 °, although other angles can usefully execute the function. One skilled in the art would understand that the size of the angle 112 depends on the dimensions and position of the opening 28 and the twisted fin 26 in relation to the dimensions and position of the side 116.

The length of each edge 104 and 106 should be long enough to prevent direct access (in line of sight) to punches and other articles, generally designated 118, that are deposited within the volume of container 32. Similarly , the portion 117 of the security guard 100 which is disposed between 110 and the end 104 should be wide enough to prevent direct access to the articles 118 deposited within the volume of the container 32.

Referring now to Figure 11, a container body 30 '(which is similar to container body 30) is seen to comprise a front or label side, a first side side 122, a rear side 124, a second side side 126 and a bottom 128. Also similar to container body 30, body 30 'comprises a plurality of grooves 53. Rear side 124 comprises an inner surface 130 and an upper edge 131 which is continuous around the upper end of the body of the container. 30 'to form a shore by itself. Preferably integrally molded as part of the rear side structure 124 are a pair of plates 132 and 134. Each plate 132 and 134 is spaced apart from the rear side 124 to form a groove 136 and 138, respectively.

Each slot 136 and 138 is sufficiently deep to allow the portion of the security guard 100 between the edge 106 and the line 101 to be fully disposed therein. In addition, that portion of the security guard 100 that is disposed between the edge 106 and the line 101 is sufficiently wide to be securely trapped within each slot 136 and 138 when a container cover (such as the container cover 22) is secured to the container body 30 '.

The function of the security guard 100 is better understood with reference to Figures 9 and 10. As seen in Figure 9, a cutting edge or other article 118 intended to be deposited within the volume 32 is disposed on the floor of the cradle of safety 72. The twisted wing 26 then depresses towards the volume 32 causing the article 118 to fall against the portion 117 of the security guard 100. As best seen in Figure 10, as long as the portion 117 comprises sufficient turgor and spring along the line 101 to maintain an effectively normal unfolding state, when unloaded (as seen in Figure 9), the added weight of the body 118 causes the guard 100 to "yield", thereby allowing the article 118 separates from floor 72 and finally falls to the bottom 128 within volume 32.

The security guard 100 is preferably opaque, but can, if desired, be translucent or even transparent. It should be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that a relatively lightweight sheet, such as the weight of the plastic sheets used for overhead projection transparencies, is preferred, although any sheet of material that freely allows each item 118 to be individually deposited can be used. in volume 32. However, the physical characteristics of such a sheet should not be deteriorated by use.

To provide a pattern for the deposit of needles and other materials through the opening 88, an "H" cut may be made to the security guard 100 at a location that is deposited inferiorly to the aperture 88. The cut in the form of "H" 139 provides a pair of 139 'and 139"leaves that relax to provide an easy needle pattern.

Since the transport of medical material comprises important aspects such as the protection of and detection of alteration, reference is now made to Figures 13-17 wherein the scope of the invention is seen, to include a plurality of methods and apparatus that provide evidence of tampering with respect to the opening of the container assembly 20 for access to new medical devices transported therein. In Figure 13, a collar 140 is disposed around that portion of a container cover and assembly 20. Note that the cover body 22 is disposed on the body of the container 30 in such a way that no tab 47 is locked in a slot 53. However, the strainer 140 securely attaches the cover body 22 to the body of the container 30 for safe transport.

As seen in Figure 14, a preferred embodiment of collar 140 is made to fit the container body 30 by inserting the container body 30 into the collar 140 such that a tab pattern 142 is selectively inserted in a similar pattern. to that previously described with respect to the slots 53. After the introduction of a package or assortment 144 of medical materials or other sensitive materials for transport in the assembly 20, a container cover 22 is fitted as will be described hereinafter.

In combination, Figures 14, 14A-C and 15 show the shape of the cast 140. The collar 140 generally comprises a "U" shaped channel, comprising an inner wall 146, an outer wall 148 and a base member 150 The general shape of collar 140 is seen in Figure 14B. Variations of the general form are seen in Figures 14A and 14C. Figure 14A is exemplary of a collar portion 140 that is juxtaposed with the slot 53. Figure 14C is illustrative of the shape of the collar 140 in a groove intended to capture a tab 47. Note that the collar 140 is continuous throughout of the wall 148 and, in combination, along the parts of the inner wall 146 and the base member 150.

In addition to the "U" elements, the collar 140 comprises tabs 142 (mentioned previously) and slots 152 arranged to capture and lock each tab 47 of the container cover 22. At each site 154 where a tab 142 fits a slit. 53, the outer wall 148 is disposed outwardly of the tab 142 to allow a slot structure 53 to reside therein. By these means, the base member 150 provides a firm stop for the collar 140 against each groove structure 53.

Arranged in a relatively protected, but easily accessible site along the periphery of the outer wall 148 is a pull-and-tear tab 158. In combination, the pull tab 158 and the outer wall 148 comprise a firm and contiguous fit. to the site 160 and preferably at least one detachable connection 162. The detachable connection 162 is preferably frankable. In addition, a thinned portion 164 of the outer wall 148 allows the frangible break of the wall 148 on a pull-out of the tab 158.

Juxtaposed on each side of the slot 142 is a cross member 166 which provides a support between the inner wall 146 and the outer wall 148. At the generally denoted links 168, between the base member 150 and the outer wall 148, the Connecting members are also thinned to allow frankable separation. In this way, by pulling tab 158, the outer wall 148 can be separated from the collar 140, thereby releasing each tab 47 and subsequently releasing the tab 22 to remove it from the container base 30. Then, access is provided to the volume 32 and the articles 144 contained in it. Also, in this way, evidence of alteration is provided by the appearance change in the shape of the collar 140 to provide a release of the tabs 47.

Other methods of providing evidence of tampering are seen in Figures 16 and 17. A shrinkable envelope cover, although not considered adequate alone due to the general availability of shrink wrap equipment, provides additional protection as seen in Figure 16. It is It is preferable to provide a hard-to-reproduce printed pattern on the shrink wrap to discourage alteration. An additional adhesive seal can also be employed which can be applied and then removed, as is well known in the art. Note that in combination, the inserted tabs 142 and the tabs 47 securely block the cover of the container 22 to the container 30 until the outer wall 148 is removed. The removal of the outer wall 148 substantially obviates the reuse of the collar 140.

Attention is now drawn to Figures 18-20, where additional inventive elements of the invention are seen. In Figure 18, a modified container cover body 22 'is seen comprising tabs 47, a pair of connecting guides 174 which help secure the cover 22' to the body of the container 30 ', a handle 92 and other features that they are similar to the container cover 22. The cover 22 '(and the cover 22) may also comprise a locking hole 176 disposed on the tongue 80' (or on the tongue 80).

In a presently preferred embodiment, an elongated slot 82 'provides a further closing step wherein the container assembly is permanently blocked by a twisted tab fixed to the tongue 80' (or tab 80). The slot 82 'is seen in FIG. 20. The extra stage is allowed by an extension of the slot 82' through a second neck section 86 '. The current lock is complemented by pressing the button 84 to move the tongue 80 over the locking pin 180, seen in Figures 18 and 19. The action of pushing the tongue 80 onto the locking pin 180 should require a sufficient increase in force just to move the button through the festering sections to avoid inadvertent blocking as long as the lock is permanent and excludes the container from future use. Note that the interengageable parts are not available to the user (that is, all parts are contained within the container and are inaccessible to tools that can be used to unlock or separate them).

A feature for optional pipe cutting is added to the cover 22 'as seen in Figures 18 and 19. To add the pipe cutting characteristic, the plate 74 is replaced by a two-layer slider 74'. The slider 74 'comprises an upper layer 182 and a lower layer 184. The upper layer 182 is in substantially the same shape as the plate 74 except for a tube catching curve on the closing end 186.

Arranged at one end of the tapered opening that is distal from end 186 is a sharp blade 188. Sheet 188 comprises a sharp knife edge 190 disposed proximally toward end 1186 and is raised such that end 186 passes between sharp knife edge 190 and cover 22 '. The lower layer 184 comprises an elongated shape which is similar to the shape of the layer 182 but is spaced a sufficient distance from the layer 182 to allow the sheet 188 to pass in the middle thereof. In this way, a tube inserted into the opening 88 while the slider 74 'is in the position seen in Figure 18 is cut by the knife 188 when the slider 74' moves to the position seen in Figure 19.

Reference is now made to Figure 21 in which one embodiment of a container assembly 20 'of the present invention is seen to comprise a unitary molded cover body 22"and a permanently uni-able container body 30. Since the container body 30 and the related methods of attaching covers to the body 30 have been previously described, no further description of either the body 30 or the attachment modes is provided hereinafter.

Although the financial consideration that the cover body 22"is made as a single injection molded part is important, for purposes of understanding the construction of the cover body 22 ', it can be considered that it is manufactured from a number of individual parts comprising a cover 200, a general upper frame section 202 and a safety cradle 204. The upper section 202 comprises a series of tabs which are similar in form and function to the tabs 47, and are therefore referred to as tabs 47. When Assembled to a container body 30, each tab 47 descends downwardly from a rib portion 206 that is continuously and contiguously connected by a rounded peripheral edge 208 to an upper portion 210 generally planar, and horizontally disposed. handle 92 is integrally molded to the upper end, as recently described, for other covers that are inside of the scope of the present invention. In combination, an edge portion 206, an edge 208 and the portion 210 comprise a slot 212 that is disposed parallel to the position of the edge 206 that is associated with the handle 92.

The portion 210 of the section 202 further comprises an elongated rectangular hole 214 which provides access for the deposit of soiled parts on the safety cradle 204. Surrounding the hole 214, the section 202 comprises an elongate end 216, vertically disposed which is defined in FIG. its lower limit by an edge 218. During use, the edge 218 is normally arranged horizontally.

The cover 200 comprises a substantially flat portion 220, a lifting tab 222, a pair of outwardly extending arms 224 and 224 'and a pair of hinged connections, each numbered 226. As best seen in Figure 22, the cover 200 is integrally connected to the upper section 202. The arms 224 and 224 'are curvedly connected to the part 220 along the dotted lines 228 and 228', respectively, to form the hinged connections 226. Ventrally the flat part 220 is see to connect to a lifting tab 222 disposed moderately along a line 229 of an upsetting insert edge 230 upwardly.

The orientation of the upper elevation of Figure 22 shows a cover body 22"molded as a single integral part and shows the combined parts as a molded orientation of the cover 200, the section 202, and the safety cradle 204. The Figures 23-25B provide better cross-sectional detail of some of the ascending and descendingly distensing (vertically oriented) portions of the cover 22". Some parts, such as tabs 47 and handle 92, have been removed from Figures 24-25B for clarity of presentation.

As best seen in Figures 24-25B, the safety cradle 204 comprises a floor 72 '(normally disposed in a horizontal resting position) and a hinge member 232. The hinge member 232 is connected to the section 202 a along the dotted line 234 to form a crooked hinge 236. Molding processes for manufacturing such crooked hinges are well known in the art of molding plastics. Referring again to Figure 22, the hinge member 232 is molded in substantially the same planar orientation as the portion 210. The floor 72 'is molded in an orientation close to normal relative to the plane of member 232 such that a Main edge 237 of the 72 'floor extends upwardly out of the plane of Figure 22.

Immediately after the recovery of the injection molding, the member 232 is bent at right angles along the dotted line 234 to introduce the floor 72 'into the hole 214 such that the floor 72' is twisted by memory of the hinge 236 to be forcedly adjusted against the edge 218. This floor portion 72 'against the edge 218 is best seen in Figure 25A.

Preferably after folding the hinge member 232, the arms 218 and 218 'are bent upwards from the plane of Figure 22 at right angles, and then, the cover 200 is bent to allow the arms 218 and 218' to project into the hole 214 along the lateral sides 238 and 238 ', respectively, of the hole 214. In this way, a pair of sliders 240 and 240' are placed in position for capture by a portion of the safety cradle 204. shape and function of the sliders 240 and 240 'are addressed in detail later.

Reference is now made to Figures 22 and 23 wherein a pair of structures 242 and 242 ', associated with the operation of the arms 224 and 224', respectively, are integrally molded as parts of the safety cradle 204. Each structure 242 and 242 'are disposed in the corner of the safety cradle which is disposed distally far away from the hinge member 232. The structure 242 is a mirror image of the structure 242'. A perspective of the structure 242 'is seen in Figure 23. Inwardly disposed, after bending of the hinge 232, is a vertical wall 244'. By extending outward from the wall 244, generally to the side 238 ', there is a forced sliding tongue 246, horizontally disposed. Disengaging down from the floor 72 'and separated by a space 248' away from the tab 246 'is a retention slide tab 250'. The safety cradle 204 also comprises a corner cut formed by the wall 244 'and an edge 252', arranged orthogonally in relation to the wall 244 '. The edge 252 'is disposed sufficiently close to the edge 237 such that when the floor 72' is bent against the edge 218 there is not enough clearance for the slider 240 'to be lifted out of the catch by the combination of the tab 250 'and the 72nd floor'.

In addition, the tabs 246 'and 250' comprise a portion of each tab that is relieved from the wall 244 '. Such a relief is seen as a slot 254 'between the tongue 246' and the wall 244 'and the slot 256' between the tongue 250 and the wall 244 '. Referring again to Figure 22, sliders 240 and 240 'preferably have a circular transverse face 258 and 258', respectively. Each slider 240 and 240 'comprises an elongated shape, rising from arms 224 and 224', respectively, in the shape of a cylinder. As such, when the arms 224 and 224 'are bent, as was recently described, the sliders 240 and 240' are disposed internally in relation to each structure 242 and 242 '.

To move the arms 224 and 224 'and the associated sliders 240 and 240' to their position of use, after folding the arms as described recently, the cover 200 is rotated around the hinge 231 in a direction that causes the cover 200 is closed against an associated area of the portion 2110 of the section 202. The rotation of the cover 200 is continued until the sliders 240 and 240 'contact the floor 72'. To move the cover 200 to a state where the cover 200, and its sliders 240 and 240 ', are irreversibly trapped by a combination of floor 72' and structures 242 and 242 ', the cover 200 is compelled to force the safety cradle 204 away from the edge 218. The cover 200 moves until the sliders 240 and 240 'have come into contact with the tabs 246 and 246' and, therefore, away from the edge 237 and the tabs 246 and 246 '(as can be seen better in Figure 24B) It is important to note that the rotation of the cover 200 around the hinge 231 and the related travel direction of the sliders 240 and 240 'is eccentric with respect to the consequent rotation of the safety cradle 204 around the hinge twisted 236. It is for this reason that each slider 240 and 240 'tends to slide towards the edge 237 when the cover 200 is closed. As a result, each slider 240 and 240 'slides finally free of the structure 242 and 242', respectively, when the cover 200 almost closes. Again, see Figure 24B.

As seen in Figure 24A, when the cover 200 is closed and the insert edge 230 is frictionally adjusted in the slot 212, the sliders 240 and 240 'are released from each frame 242 and 242' thus allowing the twisted hinge 236 return the safety cradle 204 to the depressed setting of the floor 72 'against the edge 218. In this way, the twisted hinge 236 is not over-tensioned while the cover 200 is closed.

In normal operation, it is preferred that the safety cradle 204 is not touched by a user when dirty medical waste is deposited in the container assembly 20 '. For this reason, it is preferred that the opening of the safety cradle is only activated remotely by closing the cover 200. Thus, the contaminated area of the cradle 204 is physically separated from the lid of the cover 200 where the hands of the user touch. Forcing the cover 200 to travel in a closed direction the cradle 204 separates from the edge 218 and through it opens to deposit the contents placed on the floor 72 'in the body of the container 30. Note that, if the deposition of the contents occurs before the closure of the cover 200 and therefore the rotational pressure thereof is removed, the cover 200 is returned to an open orientation by the force of the torsion hinge 236 when at least one slider 240 or 240 'is captured by the structure 242 or 242 ', respectively. If the cover 200 is pushed to close, the sliders 240 and 240 'are released as described recently at the point seen in Figure 24B and the cover 200 rests in the position seen in Figure 24A.

Of course, each slider 240 and 240 'must be recaptured in the structures 242 and 242', respectively, before the cover 200 can be effectively used to open the cradle 204. The recapture of the sliders 240 and 240 'in containment by structures 242 and 242 'are best seen in Figures 25A and 25B. Recapture begins by rotating the cover 200 in the direction of arrow 260 until each slider is adjusted in an input space, such as the space 248 'of Figure 23. Note the flexibility of the tab defined for the tabs 246' and 250 'in Figure 23. The tongue flexibility in the structures 242 and 242' allows each slider 240 and 240 'enter and be adjusted in structures 242 and 242', respectively. Note also that the compressive adjustment of the floor 72 'against the edge 218 prevents the floor 72' from traveling further and causing the structure to move, the tabs 242 and 242 'allow adjusting and capturing the sliders 240 and 240'. Once the sliders 240 and 240 'conform to the structures 242 and 242', the cover body 22"is ready to receive and dispose of the solid material through the cradle 204.

It is important to note that significantly greater force can be employed to capture the sliders 240 and 240 'is the structures 242 and 242' that can be applied to the cradle 204 when the cover 200 is closed. The force closing the cover 200 tends to rotate the cradle 204 and therefore moves each slider 240 and 240 'to a more stable and less releasable position through each tab 246 and 246', respectively. In this way, the sliders 240 and 240 'enter adjustment through one route (ie, the spaces 248 and 248', respectively) and exit through another route (ie, through the edge 237).

It is also important to note that the lid of the cover body 22"is essentially flat when the cover 200 is closed. As seen in Figure 22, the section 202 comprises a recess 262 where the lifting tab 222 resides when the cover 200 Of course, the tongue 222 comprises sufficient resilience to allow digital access of the tongue 222 for purposes of releasing the insert tab 230 from the slot 212 and opening the cover 200 to a "ready" position. tongue 222 comprises a sharp edge (a sharp arrow is seen in Figure 21) which can be used to permanently lock the cover body 22 '(and thus to the container 20') in a closed position For this purpose, the section 202 comprises a slot 264 within the gap area 262 that irreversibly receives the tab 222 when it is inserted vertically therein As seen in Figure 22, the section 202 may also comprise one or more apertures. 88 for retraction of needles. Each tapered opening is disposed in a position that allows the protective enclosure by closing the cover 200.

In summary, the method and apparatus described herein are a significant improvement from the present state of the containers for the sealed transport and disposal of medical instruments.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments should, therefore, be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and any change that is within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore tried to be covered in them.

What is claimed is:

Claims (43)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S
1. A container for use in the transport and disposal of medical instruments, comprising: a container body having an opening and an internal volume; a self-enclosing twisted cover in an associated entry place disposed superiorly as a part of the container, to provide the selective deposit of medical instruments used in the volume, said tab being securely connected to the body of the container as part of a coverage of the opening; Y a security guard disposed within the internal volume that prevents a direct pattern through the place of entry to the medical instruments and debris disposed within the volume, said security guard comprising an access hole through which the medical products having a size that you allow your income through an alternate income slot, they pass within the internal volume.
2. A container for use in transportation and disposal of medical instruments, comprising: a container body having an opening and an internal volume; a self-enclosing twisted cover in an associated entry place disposed superiorly as a part of the container, to provide for selective depositing of medical instruments used in the volume, said tab being securely connected to the body of the container as part of a coverage of the opening; Y a security guard disposed within the internal volume that prevents a direct pattern through the place of entry to the medical instruments and debris disposed within the volume, said security guard comprising a first acute angle in relation to the plane of the self-twisted wing Closed and substantially comprises only the material with sufficient force to support its own weight and therefore bends under the weight of an article introduced through the opening to bend at a second angle that is less acute in relation to the plane of the fin and Therefore, to a horizontal plane.
3. A method of transporting and storing and gaining access to unused medical materials by means of a container assembly comprising a cover body having an opening, a self-enclosing twisted wing connected to the cover body to cover the opening, means of production of alteration evidence for temporary fastening to the cover over an opening of an associated container, and a cradle means for inserting medical materials into the container body through the opening, said cradling means having a floor disposed on the crooked floor, comprising the stages of: a) placing unused medical materials inside the body of the container; and b) using the alteration evidence producing means to temporarily secure the cover body over the container opening; Y c) gaining access to unused medical materials by the substantially irreversible displacement of at least a portion of the means of producing evidence of alteration thereby providing evidence of tampering.
4. 4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the use step comprises the interposition of the means producing evidence of alteration between the parts of the cover and the body parts of the associated container that could otherwise be used to permanently interconnect the cover to the body of the container and interconnecting the cover to the body of the container by connecting the medium producing evidence of alteration to at least a part of the cover and to at least a part of the body of the container.
5. 5. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the use step comprises inserting tongue members of the cover into grooves disposed in the alteration evidence producing means and inserting the tongue members of the producer producing evidence of alteration into grooves. arranged in the body of the container.
6. 6. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the gain step comprises franking at least a portion of the alteration evidence producing means.
7. 7. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the use step comprises enclosing at least partially the container assembly in a shrink wrap.
8. 8. A container apparatus for use in transportation and disposal of medical instruments, comprising: a container body having an opening and an internal volume a cover comprising means for permanently securing it to the body of the container in a first orientation and releasably attaching it to the body of the container in a second orientation, said cover comprising means for selectively providing access through from the cover to the opening; Y a device producing evidence of alteration that surely interconnects the body of the container to the cover in the second orientation and provides a release of the body cover of the container by manual action that produces an irreversible structural change to the device producing evidence of alteration.
9. The container apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the alteration evidence producing device comprises frankable parts that are structurally changed by the release of the container body cover.
10. . The container apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising a security guard.
11. 1. A method of disposing of medical materials used by means of a container assembly comprising a cover body having an opening, a self-enclosing twisted wing connected to the cover body to cover the opening, means for permanently attaching the cover body on a opening of an associated container, means for permanently locking the closed twisted fin, and a cradling means for inserting medical materials into the body of the container through the opening, said cradling means having a floor disposed on the twisted wing, comprising the stages of: a) permanently securing the cover body to the associated container; b) place the used medical materials on the floor of the cradle means; c) pushing down against the twisted wing in an area adjacent to the cradling means, thereby allowing the used medical materials to fall into the container assembly in contact of the operator; Y d) when the container is filled to a desired level, close and lock the twisted fin closed.
12. . A method of using a combination of container assembly for transport and disposal, comprising the steps of: a) providing a container body having an accessible opening; a cover body having a normally closed entry site, a self-closing twisted fin connected to the cover body to selectively cover and therefore close the entry site and for intermittent access to the opening in the site; a closure associated with the cover to permanently block the closed entry site; means of producing evidence of alteration to temporarily unite the cover over the opening of the container; and cradle means for inserting medical materials into the body of the container at the entry site, said cradling means having a floor disposed on the twisted wing; b) placing unused medical materials inside the body of the container; c) using the alteration evidence producing means to temporarily secure the cover body over the opening of the container; d) from the user's place, notice when the medium producing evidence of alteration shows or not evidence of alteration; e) if there is evidence of tampering, take the appropriate response action for a container assembly combination that shows evidence of tampering; f) if there is no evidence of alteration, gaining access to unused medical materials by the substantially irreversible displacement of at least a portion of the medium producing alteration evidence; g) remove unused medical materials; h) permanently attaching the cover to the container body to form the combination for use as a medical waste disposal container i) deposit the used medical materials through the entry site; Y j) when the medical waste disposal container is full to a desired level, block the closed cover at the entry site to prevent any additional filling.
13. . A cover for a medical punch-sharps container and associated waste apparatus, comprising: an entry site normally closed by a twisted fin; a tapered orifice that allows direct insertion of medical needles and other devices connected to tubes through the cover; sliding means providing manual positioning to at least three positions comprising: an open position in which the twisted wing can be selectively opened and medical needles and other devices connected to tubes can be dispensed through the tapered orifice; a closed position in which the twisted wing is held in a closed position and the tapered orifice is covered; Y a locked position in which the twisted wing and the tapered orifice are permanently closed for future access.
14. . A cover for a medical punch-sharps container and associated waste apparatus comprising: an entry site normally closed by a twisted fin; a tapered orifice that allows direct insertion of medical needles and other devices connected to tubes through the cover; sliding means providing manual positioning to at least three positions comprising: an open position in which the twisted wing can be selectively opened and medical needles and other devices connected to tubes can be dispensed through the tapered orifice; a closed position in which the twisted wing is held in a closed position and the tapered orifice is covered; Y a locked position in which the twisted wing and the tapered orifice are permanently closed for future access; and the flap further comprising a tube cutter disposed in the tapered and activated bore by the slider.
15. 15. A method of transporting and storing unused medical materials, from an assembly point to a point of use within a self-contained shipping container assembly and then using the same container assembly as a safe sharps container from there, understanding the stages of: a) providing, as a portion of the container bottom, a container body having a bottom and a plurality of sides defining a preselected volume for storing a prescribed amount of unused medical materials; b) providing a cover for releasably closing said container body during said storage and transportation; said cover being selectively removable from a temporarily bonded position with respect to said container body to allow bulk removal of all said preselected quantity of unused medical materials. c) providing a means for enclosing said container including said cover and additional locking means for irreversibly securing said cover to said container body; d) providing a means for the selective arrangement of sharp nibs in the body of the container after the cover is securely disposed on the body of the container; e) placing unused medical materials inside the body of the container; f) temporarily securing the body of the cover on the body of the container to enclose the sides and bottom to form a self-contained storage container; g) transport the container thus filled to the place where the materials are to be used, h) move the flap in relation to the container to access the materials; i) replacing the cover such that the cover is irreversibly secured to the body of the container, thereby forming a sharps-punch container; Y j) dispose used punches-sharps and other biohazardous materials in the sharp-nip container for safe maintenance.
16. 6. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the temporary securing step comprises arranging the cover on the body of the container such that the tabs and slots, which are specifically aligned to irreversibly secure the cover to the body of the container, are misaligned for temporary securing of the cover body to the container for transport and subsequent removal of new medical materials.
17. 17. A method as defined in claim 15, comprising an additional step of permanently locking the closed container, when it is filled to a predetermined level, to exclude the additional disposition of used cutting punches in a filled container thereby creating a dangerous condition of an overfilled container.
18. 18. A method of disposing medical materials used by means of a container assembly comprising a cover body having an opening, a self-enclosing twisted fin connected to the cover body to cover the opening, means for permanently attaching the cover body on a opening of an associated container, a cradling means for inserting medical materials into the body of the container through the opening, said cradling means having a floor disposed on the twisted wing, and a hinged cover which is selectively closed to deny Access to the cradle means, said method comprising the steps of: a) permanently securing the cover body to the associated container; b) place the used medical materials on the floor of the cradle means; c) pushing down against the twisted wing in an area adjacent to the cradling means, thereby allowing the used medical materials to fall into the container assembly without contact with the operator; Y d) closing the cover, thereby restricting access to the cradling medium until the cover is purposely opened.
19. 9. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the securing step comprises arranging the cover body over the container opening and inserting a plurality of tabs secured to the cover body within a corresponding female slot located on the body of the container. in such a way that the projecting tongue lips lock the tabs in place.
20. 0. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the securing step comprises interlocking a plurality of hinged pull tabs secured to the cover body, each tab including a distal end in which a female end of an arrow is disposed. blocking, with a corresponding male end located on the container for each female end disposed in the cover body.
21. 21. A container apparatus for use in the arrangement of medical instruments, comprising: a container body having an opening and an internal volume; a cover for said container apparatus comprising means for permanently attaching the cover to said container and being molded as a single part, said cover comprising: a frame section comprising the attachment means; a safety cradle section disposed within the boundaries of the frame section comprising a hinge joint bent to the frame section, the hinge twisting keeping the safety cradle in a normally closed position; Y a cover section, hingedly fixed to the frame section, which, in a closed position, covers and protects the safety cradle and which comprises at least one actuator which when moved in operative adjustment of the safety cradle, operates to open the safety cradle as opposed to the twisting of the hinge when the cover is closing and uncoupling from the safety cradle when the cover closes, thereby allowing the twisted hinge of the safety cradle to return to the normally closed position without opposition of the actuator.
22. . A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one actuator comprises means for opening the safety cradle section and the cradle safety section comprises means for releasably coupling the actuating means in such a way that the at least one The actuator is engaged in a first rotational position of the cradle section and is released from the coupling in a second rotational position of the cradle section.
23. . A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the cover section comprises a tab for manually raising the cover.
24. . A container apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the frame section comprises a slot and the tab comprises a snap-fit shape in which the cover is permanently locked when the tab is inserted into the slot, thereby frustrating attempts to subsequently access to the container.
25. . A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein, in combination, the cover section and the frame section comprises means for securely and releasably closing the cover section for the frame section when the cover is closed.
26. . A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the cover comprises a living hinge that is integrally joined by molding to the frame section.
27. 27. A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the safety cradle comprises a bent hinge that is integrally joined by molding to the frame section.
28. 28. A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein at least one actuator comprises an arm that is bent from the plane of the cover after molding.
29. 29. A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the actuator comprises at least one slider for coupling with the safety cradle.
30. 30. A containment apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the slider comprises a cylindrical shape.
31. 31. A container apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the frame section comprises an edge disposed around the periphery of the cover.
32. 32. A cover body for use in the provision of medical instruments, comprising means for permanently attaching the cover body to a container for use as a container assembly used in the medical punch-sharps arrangement and other debris, said cover being molded as a single part, comprising: a frame section comprising the joining means; a safety cradle section disposed within the limits of the frame section comprising a hinged hinge biased towards the frame section, the hinge twisting keeping the safety cradle in a normally closed position; Y a cover section, hingedly fixed to the frame section, which, in a closed position, covers and protects the safety cradle and which comprises at least one actuator that when moved in an operative coupling of the safety cradle, operates for opening the safety cradle as opposed to twisting the hinge when the cover is closing and uncoupling from the safety cradle when the cover closes, thereby allowing the twisted hinge of the safety cradle to return to the position normally closed without opposition of the actuator.
33. A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the at least μn actuator comprises means for opening the safety cradle section and the safety cradle section comprises means for the releasable coupling of the actuation means such that at less an actuator engages in a first rotational position of the cradle section and is released from engagement in a second rotational position of the cradle section.
34. . A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the cover section comprises a tongue for manually raising the cover.
35. . A cover body according to claim 34, wherein the frame section comprises a groove and the tongue comprises a snap-fit shape by which the cover is permanently blocked by the insertion of the tongue in the groove, thereby discouraging attempts for future access to the container.
36. . A cover body according to claim 32, wherein, in combination, the cover section and the frame section comprise means for the releasable secured closure of the cover section to the frame section when the cover is closed.
37. . A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the cover comprises a living hinge that is integrally joined by molding to the frame section.
38. 38. A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the safety cradle comprises a bent hinge that is integrally fixed by molding to the frame section.
39. 39. A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the at least one actuator comprises an arm that is bent from the plane of the cover after molding.
40. 40. A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the actuator comprises at least one slider for engagement with the safety cradle.
41. 41. A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the slider comprises a cylindrical shape.
42. A 42. A cover body according to claim 32, wherein the frame section comprises an edge disposed around the periphery of the cover.
43. 43. A method for manufacturing a cover for use with a container for medical punches and other waste materials comprising the steps of: molding the cover as a single part comprising a frame section comprising means for attaching the cover to the container; a safety cradle section disposed within the boundaries of the frame section comprising a hinge joint bent to the frame section, twisting the hinge keeping the safety cradle in a normally closed position; and a cover section, ably attached to the frame section, which, in a closed position, covers and protects the safety cradle and which comprises at least one actuator that when moved in operative engagement of the safety cradle operates to open the safety cradle as opposed to the twisting of the hinge when the cover is being closed and uncoupling from the safety cradle when the cover is closed, thereby allowing the twisted hinge of the safety cradle to return to the normally closed position without opposition of the actuator; bend the twisted hinge into twisted coupling with the frame section; bending the at least one actuator at an angle that allows the operative coupling with the safety cradle; Y close the cover. . A method of transporting and disposing medical materials by means of a container assembly comprising a cover body having an opening, a self-enclosing twisted cover connected to the cover body to cover the opening, means in a first used position capable of joining temporarily the cover over an opening of an associated container and a second used position capable of permanently holding the cover over the opening of the associated container, and a cradling means for the insertion of medical materials into the container body through the opening , said cradling means having a floor disposed on the crooked fin, comprising the steps of: a) placing unused medical materials inside the body of the container when transporting medical materials; temporarily securing the cover body over the opening of the container when transporting medical materials; c) permanently securing the cover body to the associated container when medical materials are arranged; d) place the used medical materials on the floor of the cradle means when medical materials are available; and e) pushing down against the twisted wing in an area adjacent to the cradling means, thereby causing the used medical materials to fall into the container assembly without contact of the operator when medical materials are arranged. . The method as defined in claim 44, further comprising a step of changing from a temporary securing position of the cover body to the container, to a permanent securing position of the cover body to the body of the container by the rotation of the cover by A hundred and eighty degrees. SUMMARY A container assembly (20) for transporting new medical devices and for the subsequent disposal of used medical devices and other medical waste, including a container body (30) and a cover (22) and includes a tamper indicating structure to provide evidence of container opening during the transportation of new devices. The tamper indicating structure may be a collar (140) for connecting the body of the container to the cover, a shrinkable envelope over the entire container assembly, or a seal over the container body opening. The cover may include a twisted self-closing flap (26) and a cradle member (204) and may also include a security guard (100) disposed within the container assembly (20) to restrict access to the medical content used inside the container. The cover can be removably secured on the body of the container for the transport of new devices and then permanently secured on the body of the container for the storage of the used medical content.