Safety container for hypodermic syringes

• US 5,161,681 A
• Filed: 05/03/1991
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David R. Kemp, Donald J. Evans
• Original Assignee: David R. Kemp, Donald J. Evans
• Inventors: Evans, Donald J., Kemp, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ACKUN, JACOB K
• Application Number:
  US07/697,730
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 206/363, 206/364, 206/365, 206/366, 206/367, 206/210, 206/493, 206/534, 206/459
• US Class Current: 206/210
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3109 Caps sealing the needle bore by use of, e.g. air-hardening adhesive, elastomer or epoxy resin
• CPC Class Codes: 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

Abstract

A safety container for storing and transporting a hypodermic syringe with attached needle, wherein the container is comprised of an elongated transparent plastic tube having a closed end and an oppositely disposed open end. The open end is fitted with a removable lid. The closed end of tube contains a rubbery pad into which the needle point of the syringe is embedded. The resilient, self-sealing rubbery pad frictionally holds the needle and syringe secure, and seals the lumen of the needle to prevent leakage of fluid from the needle or syringe. At least one end of the container has flat edges to prevent rolling of the container when positioned horizontally or when in a moving vehicle.

Claims

1. In combination, a safety container and a hypodermic syringe with attached needle, comprising:

an elongated right cylindrically shaped hollow tube manufacture of shatter and puncture resistant substantially transparent plastic material, said tube having an open interior fully containing said hypodermic syringe with attached needle with a plunger of said hypodermic syringe in an extended position, said tube having a first open end and an oppositely disposed second end,

a first closing means on said first open end of said tube closing said open interior at said first open end of said tube, said first closing means being manually movable to permit removal of said hypodermic syringe with attached needle from said open interior of said tube,

a second closing means on said second end of said tube, said second closing means structured of puncture resistant material so as to prevent puncturing thereof by said needle of said hypodermic syringe,

a soft rubbery pad affixed between said second closing means and said open interior within said tube, said needle of said hypodermic syringe partly inserted into said rubbery pad, said needle and said hypodermic syringe substantially restrained from movement by way of resiliency in said rubbery pad causing frictional adhesion between said rubbery pad and said needle, said needle having a lumen positioned within said rubbery pad, said rubbery pad being of substantially fluid impervious material, said lumen of said needle sealed fluid tight by said resiliency and the fluid impermeability of said rubbery pad,

at least one generally flat extending exterior surface affixed on said safety container providing means for generally preventing rolling of said safety container when said safety container is positioned horizontal oriented on a surface,

labeling means affixed to said tube for displaying information pertinent to said hypodermic syringe with attached neddle.