Instrument tray and disposable receptacle having alternative locking means
First Claim
1. A hinged instrument tray and disposable receptacle for contaminated waste, comprising:
- tray means for organizing and holding a plurality of items so that said items are easily accessible for individual removal and use, said tray means comprising first and second trays joined by a hinge such that said trays can be opened and laid in a substantially flat, side-by-side manner so as to render said items accessible, and such that said trays can be folded together so as to close any contents of said trays therewithin; and
locking means for selectively locking said trays in either of two positions when said trays are folded together to close them, one of said positions permitting said trays to be re-opened and laid in said substantially flat, side-by-side manner, and the other said position preventing re-opening of said trays so as to form a tamper-proof disposable receptacle for any contents enclosed therewithin when contamination-free disposal of said contents is desired.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hinged instrument tray and disposable receptacle for contaminated waste. The tray is formed in two halves which are joined by a hinge so that the two halves of the tray can be opened and laid side-by-side thereby permitting access to the instruments contained within the tray. Contaminated materials or instruments can be collected in one or both halves of the tray so that when use of the instruments or materials is completed, the two tray halves can then be folded one on top of the other and the two tray halves can then be permanently locked together so as to enclose the contaminated instruments or materials therewithin, thereby forming a secure, tamper-proof disposable receptacle.
197 Citations
42 Claims
-
1. A hinged instrument tray and disposable receptacle for contaminated waste, comprising:
-
tray means for organizing and holding a plurality of items so that said items are easily accessible for individual removal and use, said tray means comprising first and second trays joined by a hinge such that said trays can be opened and laid in a substantially flat, side-by-side manner so as to render said items accessible, and such that said trays can be folded together so as to close any contents of said trays therewithin; and locking means for selectively locking said trays in either of two positions when said trays are folded together to close them, one of said positions permitting said trays to be re-opened and laid in said substantially flat, side-by-side manner, and the other said position preventing re-opening of said trays so as to form a tamper-proof disposable receptacle for any contents enclosed therewithin when contamination-free disposal of said contents is desired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A hinged instrument tray and disposable receptacle for contaminated waste, comprising:
-
tray means for organizing and holding a plurality of items so that said items are easily accessible for individual removal and use, said tray means comprising first and second trays joined by a hinge such that said trays can be opened and laid in a substantially flat, side-by-side manner so as to render said items accessible, and such that said trays can be folded together so as to close any contents of said trays therewithin; locking means for selectively locking said trays in either of two positions when said trays are folded together to close them, one of said positions permitting said trays to be re-opened and laid in said substantially flat, side-by-side manner, and the other said position preventing re-opening of said trays so as to form a tamper-proof disposable receptacle for any contents enclosed therewithin when contamination-free disposal of said contents is desired; and means for securing said trays relative to one another such that when said trays are opened and laid in a substantially flat, side-by-side manner, said trays are supported so as to form a unitary tray that can be picked up by handling either of said first and second trays, and which are prevented from opening more than about 180°
by said securing means. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A hinged instrument tray and disposable receptacle for contaminated waste, comprising:
-
first and second trays joined by a hinge such that said trays can be opened and laid in a substantially flat, side-by-side manner so as to render items therein accessible, and such that said trays can be folded together so as to close any contents of said trays therewithin, and wherein said trays each comprise a rim formed at a peripheral edge thereof; and a plurality of locking posts situated on a rim of at least one tray, and a plurality of corresponding apertures situated on a rim of the other tray, and wherein each said post comprises first and second notched portions such that when a post is inserted into a corresponding aperture to a point corresponding to said first notched portion, the inserted post can be removed from the corresponding aperture, and such that when a post is inserted into a corresponding aperture to a point corresponding to said second notched portion, the inserted post is locked into said corresponding aperture so it can not be removed. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A hinged instrument tray and disposable receptacle for contaminated waste, comprising:
-
first and second trays joined by a hinge such that said trays can be opened and laid in a substantially flat, side-by-side manner so as to render items therein accessible, and such that said trays can be folded together so as to close any contents of said trays therewithin, and wherein said trays each comprise a rim formed at a peripheral edge thereof; a plurality of locking posts situated on a rim of at least one tray, and a plurality of corresponding apertures situated on a rim of the other tray, and wherein each said post comprises first and second notched portions such that when a post is inserted into a corresponding aperture to a point corresponding to said first notched portion, the inserted post can be removed from the corresponding aperture, and such that when a post is inserted into a corresponding aperture to a point corresponding to said second notched portion, the inserted post is locked into said corresponding aperture so it can not be removed; a latch means, situated at opposite ends of said hinge, for engaging and holding each said tray relative to the other, and wherein each said latch means comprises a hinged flap, each said flap comprising an extension for insertion between said trays. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
-
Specification