Disposable container system and method with reusable hood assembly

Abstract

A medical waste disposal system comprising a disposable receptacle defining an opening and a hood assembly defining a passage therethrough and configured to be removably connected to the disposable receptacle such that the hood assembly passage aligns with the opening of the disposable receptacle and defines a disposal path into the disposable receptacle. A lid is coupled to the disposable receptacle and movable between an open position to permit passage of medical waste through the opening of the disposable receptacle and a closed position to substantially close the opening of the disposable receptacle and thereby substantially close the opening.

1 . A medical waste disposal system comprising:
 a disposable receptacle defining an opening sized to receive medical waste;   a hood assembly defining a passage therethrough and configured to be removably connected to the disposable receptacle such that the hood assembly passage aligns with the opening of the disposable receptacle and defines a disposal path into the disposable receptacle; and   a lid coupled to the disposable receptacle and movable between an open position to permit passage of medical waste through the opening of the disposable receptacle and a closed position to substantially close the opening of the disposable receptacle and thereby substantially close the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 1  wherein the disposable receptacle includes a disposable container including a container body with an open end defined at one end thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 2  wherein a deck component is connected to the disposable container adjacent the open end. 
     
     
         4 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 3  wherein the deck component has a substantially planar deck surface disposed about the container open end. 
     
     
         5 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of tab receiving openings are defined through the deck surface and are configured to secure the hood assembly and the lid relative to the deck component. 
     
     
         6 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 5  wherein the hood assembly includes a hood platform with a plurality of tabs depending therefrom, the tabs being configured to be removeably received in corresponding tab receiving openings. 
     
     
         7 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 6  wherein the lid is a substantially planar surface with a plurality of tabs depending therefrom, the lid tabs configured to be received in the same tab receiving openings in which the hood assembly tabs were received. 
     
     
         8 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 6  wherein the lid is a substantially planar surface with a plurality of tabs depending therefrom and configured to be received in corresponding tab receiving openings distinct from the tab receiving openings in which the hood assembly tabs were received. 
     
     
         9 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 3  wherein the deck component includes a skirt depending from the deck surface, the skirt configured to extend about a rim of the container and attach thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 3  wherein the deck component is made integrally with the disposable container. 
     
     
         11 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 3  wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the deck component. 
     
     
         12 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 2  wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the disposable container. 
     
     
         13 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 1  wherein the covered disposable container is disposable independently from the hood assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The medical waste disposal system of  claim 1  wherein the hood assembly is configured to be selectively sterilized. 
     
     
         15 . A medical waste disposal system assembly comprising:
 a disposable receptacle defining an opening sized to receive medical waste;   a hood assembly removably connected to the disposable receptacle, the hood assembly defining a passage therethrough aligned with the opening of the disposable receptacle to define a disposal path into the disposable receptacle; and   a lid coupled to the disposable receptacle and movable between an open position when the hood assembly is connected to the disposable receptacle to permit passage of medical waste through the opening of the disposable receptacle and a closed position when the hood assembly is removed from the disposable receptacle to substantially close the opening of the disposable receptacle and thereby substantially block the disposal path.   
     
     
         16 . A method for disposing of medical waste comprising the steps of:
 connecting a hood assembly to a disposable receptacle such that a passage defined by the hood assembly aligns with an opening defined in the disposable receptacle and defines a disposal path into the disposable receptacle;   separating the disposable receptacle from the hood assembly; and   moving a lid coupled to the disposable receptacle from an open position permitting passage of medical waste through the opening of the disposable receptacle to a closed position to substantially close the opening of the disposable receptacle and thereby substantially blocking the disposal path.