Waste container identification system

• US 7,123,150 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Vesta Medical LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Davidner, Alan A., Mallett, Scott R., Danta, Randall C., Corey, Alan D., Regla, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brooks, Matthew L.
• Application Number:
  US10/946,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0059 parallel to the lid plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/006 perpendicular to the lid plane, e.g. by a downward movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/185 Drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/15 Mayo stands; Tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/18 Cupboards; Drawers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3412 according to a code applied to the object which indicates a property of the object, e.g. quality class, contents or incorrect indication sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means B07C5/10; sorting according to optical properties B07C5/342; for packages B65D79/02; for information carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 7/005 Computer assisted manual sorting, e.g. for mail
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 : Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/93 : Municipal solid waste sorting

Abstract

A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations, each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container.

Claims

1. A waste system comprising:

a station comprising a waste identification device and a plurality of container compartments and a plurality of container readers located adjacent to the container compartments, wherein the waste identification device determines different types of waste;

a plurality of containers positioned in the container compartments, each container comprising a machine-readable identification key wherein each machine-readable identification key is associated with at least one waste category such that the machine-readable identification key is configured to indicate to at least one of the category of waste to be deposited into the container; and

wherein the container readers are configured to read the machine-readable identification keys of containers positioned in the container compartments, and wherein the station is configured to determine the container into which waste should be deposited based on the waste category associated with the machine-readable identification key.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to facilitate sorting of a plurality of waste items into respective containers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the waste category defines a class of waste to be placed in the containers.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the waste category of a container is independent of the container compartment in which the container is positioned.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each container compartment is configured to accept containers having any of a pre-determined group of identification keys.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification keys comprise optically-readable markings.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the identification keys comprise a pattern of holes in a portion of the container.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each container comprises an automatically operable door.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each container compartment is configured to operate a door of a container.

10. A waste sorting and disposal system comprising:

a sorting and disposal station comprising a waste identification device and a plurality of container compartments and a plurality of container readers located adjacent to the container compartments, wherein the waste identification device determines different types of waste;

a plurality of containers positioned in the container compartments, each container comprising a machine-readable identification key which identifies a waste category defining characteristics of the waste to be placed in each container such that the machine-readable identification key is configured to indicate to at least one of the container readers the category of waste to be deposited into the container;

wherein the container readers are configured to read the machine-readable identification keys of containers positioned in container compartments, and wherein the station is configured to determine the container into which waste should be deposited based on the waste category associated with the machine-readable identification key; and

wherein the waste category of each container is independent of the container compartment in which each container is positioned.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a controller configured to facilitate sorting of a plurality of waste items into respective containers.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to adapt a sorting routine to a changing arrangement of containers and container compartments.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the containers comprise translucent walls.