Storing biologically contaminated items

Abstract

The receptacle is shown for storing biologically contaminated items. The receptacle has a storage portion ( 901 ) and a closure portion ( 902 ) each fabricated from plastic card. The closure portion is placed in an open condition for receiving items or in a closed condition in which the receptacle is liquid-tight. A first sealing device ( 903 ) is provided for sealing the closure portion to allow transportation to a decontamination station.

1 . A receptacle for storing biologically contaminated items, comprising 
 an opening for receiving hand-held items after said items have been contaminated with biological material;    first sealing apparatus for sealing said opening so as to allow the receptacle to be transported for de-contamination by the application of heat; wherein    said first sealing apparatus is configured to become unsealed during said decontamination process so as to facilitate the sterilization or destruction of said items.    
   
   
       2 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said first sealing apparatus is an adhesive tape protected by a covering strip and said opening is sealed by said adhesive tape by the removal of said covering strip.  
   
   
       3 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening is defined by folded portions configured to deform elastically and said elastically deformed portions are configured to at least partially return to their pre-deformed state after said opening has become unsealed during decontamination.  
   
   
       4 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said first sealing apparatus is configured to become unsealed in an autoclave thereby facilitating the sterilization of said items.  
   
   
       5 . A receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein said first sealing apparatus is configured to become unsealed in an incinerator thereby facilitating the destruction of said implements.  
   
   
       6 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  including a second sealing apparatus configured to provide a temporary and reversible sealing mechanism for said opening.  
   
   
       7 . A receptacle for storing biologically contaminated items, comprising 
 a storage portion and a closure portion each fabricated from plastic coated card, wherein    said closure portion is placed in an open condition for receiving said items or in a closed condition in which the receptacle is liquid-tight; and    a first sealing apparatus is provided for sealing said closure portion to allow transportation to a decontamination station.    
   
   
       8 . A receptacle according to  claim 7 , wherein said storage portion has tapering sides to facilitate bulk storage in an unused state.  
   
   
       9 . A receptacle according to  claim 7 , wherein said closure portion is folded and secured by an adhesive tape.  
   
   
       10 . A receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein said adhesive tape is protected by a strip, and said strip is removed as part of a securing process.  
   
   
       11 . A receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein said adhesive tape is configured to release said closure during a decontamination process involving the application of heat.  
   
   
       12 . A receptacle according to  claim 7 , wherein said storage portion includes a transparent area so as to allow a laboratory operative to view the contents of said storage portion.  
   
   
       13 . A receptacle according to  claim 7 , wherein said storage portion has a base and said base curves inwards such that the storage portion rests substantially upon its corners when in use.  
   
   
       14 . A method of sterilizing or destroying hand-held laboratory implements, comprising the steps of 
 placing items contaminated with biological material into a receptacle via an opening;    sealing said opening using first sealing apparatus;    transporting the sealed receptacle to a decontamination station; and, at said decontamination station,    applying heat to sterilize or destroy said items, wherein    said first sealing apparatus is configured to become unsealed in response to said heat application step to facilitate the sterilization or destruction of said implements.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said first sealing apparatus is an adhesive tape protected by a covering strip, said method further comprising the removal of said covering strip from said adhesive tape to effect closure of the receptacle.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said adhesive strip contracts under the action of said heat so as to facilitate said unsealing.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the opening is defined by folded portions configured to deform elastically such that said elastically deformed portions at least partially return to their pre-deformed state after the first sealing apparatus has become unsealed.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said heat is applied by the operation of an autoclave.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of sealing said opening using a second temporary sealing apparatus after placing items into the receptacle; 
 leaving the receptacle for a period of time;    removing said second sealing apparatus;    placing further items into the receptacle; and    sealing the opening using the first sealing apparatus.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said opening is sealed substantially flat to facilitate the mass transportation of sealed receptacles to the decontamination station.  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)