Medical mailer box assembly

• US 5,291,997 A
• Filed: 08/10/1992
• Issued: 03/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: He, Yun-Ju, Shang-Li Wu, Wei He
• Original Assignee: He, Yun-Ju, Shang-Li Wu, Wei He
• Inventors: He, Wei, He, Yun-Ju, Wu, Shang-Li
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman, Bryon P.
• Application Number:
  US07/926,657
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 206/363-366, 206/570, 206/571, 206/523, 220/90 B, 220/375, 229/149, 229/151, 229/921
• US Class Current: 206/370
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0056 about a lateral axis in the lid plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/3001 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/362 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/908 Trash container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/921 with mailing indicia

Abstract

An assembly for housing medical supplies and for storing and mailing medical waste contained therein having an exterior box made of corrugated paper into which a plastic removable medical waste container can be inserted into and secured in a container bay provided by styrofoam insulation which contacts the interior sidewalls of the exterior box. The styrofoam insulation is provided with a plurality of apertures to accommodate syringes. Upon using the syringes, a user can place the syringe through an aperture in the medical waste container. Upon using all of the syringes originally provided with the assembly and placing them inside the medical waste container, the aperture provided in the medical waste container is latched closed and the medical waste container is placed inside the exterior box in the bay provided by the styrofoam insulation. The exterior box is then closed by closing the foldable top of the exterior box and inserting flaps attached to the foldable top to insertion holes provided at the front side of the exterior box. A pair of folded and bent appendages centrally located on the foldable top are inserted into accommodating holes located in the front of the exterior box so as to permanently lock the exterior box such that it cannot be opened without destroying the lock system. The assembly is then mailed to an appropriate disposal sight for incineration.

Claims

1. An assembly for housing medical supplies which are packaged and unused and for storing and then mailing the medical supplies after the medical supplies have been unpackaged and used, said assembly comprising:

a medical waste container having an aperture for allowing used medical supplies to be placed therein for storage;

a medical supply housing having a bay into which said medical waste container is inserted, said medical supply housing being provided with a plurality of apertures;

a plurality of packaged hypodermic needles and syringes inserted into the plurality of apertures of said medical supply housing, respectively; and

a mailer box which contacts said medical supply housing and into which said medical waste container and said medical supply housing are inserted.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical waste container is easily detachable from said medical supply housing.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said medical supply housing is easily detachable from said mailer box.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical waste container is provided with means for closing the aperture.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said means for closing the aperture is a latch having a first appendage and a second appendage.

6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said medical supply housing surrounds said medical waste container.

7. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mailer box has a foldable top for closing and opening purposes.

8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mailer box has a corrugated die-cut lock tab comprising:

a pair of appendages having folded regions connected to a front overlap region of said mailer box for insertion into corresponding holes located in a front side of said mailer box.

9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said medical waste container is comprised of a one-way filter positioned over the aperture for allowing medical waste to be inserted into said medical waste container while preventing medical waste from leaving said medical waste container, said one-way filter being comprised of plastic strips which slant toward the interior of said medical waste container and obstruct the aperture of said medical waste container.

10. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said medical waste container is made of molded plastic.

11. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mailer box is made of corrugated paper.

12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said medical waste container is a jar having a plurality of apertures, said jar having a removable cap.