Sharps disposal system

Abstract

A sharps disposal system for safely collecting and disposing of medical sharps includes a cabinet defining an enclosure for receiving a removable used sharps receptacle therein. The cabinet includes a passageway through which sharps may be deposited in the sharps receptacle. A single lock, double door design facilitates safe removal and disposal of sharps deposited in the sharps receptacle.

1 . A sharps disposal system, comprising: 
 a) a substantially rigid cabinet defining an inner chamber;    b) a sharps receptacle contained within said cabinet;    c) a first access door pivotally secured to said cabinet;    d) a second access door pivotally connected to said cabinet; and    e) lock means for locking said cabinet.    
   
   
       2 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 1  including a conduit depending downwardly from said first access door interfacing with said sharps receptacle providing a passageway for sharps to be deposited into said sharps receptacle.  
   
   
       3 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 2  wherein said sharps receptacle includes a lid having segmented fingers extending radially inward toward the center of said lid.  
   
   
       4 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 1  including a bracket secured within said inner chamber of said cabinet, said bracket centrally retaining said sharps receptacle within said inner chamber of said cabinet.  
   
   
       5 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 1  wherein said lock means comprises a single locking mechanism mounted on said first access door, said locking mechanism simultaneous locking said first access door and said second access door of said cabinet.  
   
   
       6 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 1  including a mounting bracket for securing said cabinet to a mounting surface.  
   
   
       7 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 6  wherein said mounting bracket includes inwardly offset flange members for receiving mounting bolts therethrough for securing said mounting bracket to a mounting surface.  
   
   
       8 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 7  wherein said cabinet is releasably secured to said mounting bracket.  
   
   
       9 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 8  wherein said cabinet overlaps said flange members of said mounting bracket preventing access to said mounting bolts.  
   
   
       10 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 1  including a removable cover for sealing said sharps receptacle upon removal thereof from said cabinet.  
   
   
       11 . A sharps disposal system, comprising: 
 a) a substantially rigid cabinet defining an inner chamber;    b) a sharps receptacle contained within said cabinet;    c) double door access means providing access to said inner chamber for collecting and disposing of sharps deposited in said sharps receptacle; and    d) lock means for locking said cabinet.    
   
   
       12 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 11  wherein said double door access means comprises a first access door forming the top of said cabinet and a second access door forming a side of said cabinet.  
   
   
       13 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 12  including a conduit depending downwardly from said first access door interfacing with said sharps receptacle providing a passageway for sharps to be deposited into said sharps receptacle.  
   
   
       14 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 11  including a mounting bracket for securing said cabinet to a mounting surface.  
   
   
       15 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 11  wherein said lock means comprises a single locking mechanism for simultaneous locking said first and second access doors of said cabinet.  
   
   
       16 . The sharps disposal system of claim  111  including a removable cover for sealing said sharps receptacle upon removal thereof from said cabinet.  
   
   
       17 . A sharps disposal system, comprising: 
 a) a substantially rigid cabinet defining an inner chamber;    b) a sharps receptacle retained within said cabinet, said sharps receptacle including a removable cover for sealing said sharps receptacle upon removal thereof from said cabinet;    c) double door access means providing access to said inner chamber for collecting and disposing of sharps deposited in said sharps receptacle    d) a second access door pivotally connected to said cabinet; and    e) a lock for locking said double door access means of said cabinet.    
   
   
       18 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 17  wherein said double door access means comprises a first access door forming the top of said cabinet and a second access door forming a side of said cabinet.  
   
   
       19 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 18  including a conduit depending downwardly from said first access door interfacing with said sharps receptacle providing a passageway for sharps to be deposited into said sharps receptacle.  
   
   
       20 . The sharps disposal system of  claim 19  including a mounting bracket for securing said cabinet to a mounting surface.