Medication Disposal System

Abstract

A system for safely neutralizing medication and venting gases produced by the neutralization process includes a container holding a quantity of disposal formula, sealed with a bottle liner, a closure with a pressure relief aperture, and an amount of hardener that may be added to the disposal formula. In some embodiments, a breathable, liquid-impermeable liner within the closure prevents liquids and solids from leaking through the pressure relief aperture. Other embodiments utilize a variable pressure relief valve within the closure to prevent leakage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medication disposal system comprising:
 a container having a container neck, wherein said container neck includes a container opening;   a closure having at least one pressure relief aperture and at least one pressure relief regulator having at least one gas pathway therethrough;   a quantity of disposal formula, wherein said quantity of disposal formula is a solution capable of dissolving and inactivating a medication, wherein said quantity of disposal formula is contained within said container; and   a quantity of hardener, wherein said quantity of hardener is a chemical composition capable of at least partially solidifying said quantity of disposal formula.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of said container is manufactured from a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least part of said container is manufactured from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a threaded closure mechanism between said container neck and said closure. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said closure is a childproof closure having a threaded inner closure member and an outer overcap. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a snap closure mechanism between said container neck and said closure. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a liquid-impermeable bottle liner sealing said container opening. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said bottle liner forms a heat seal, press-fit seal or adhesive seal to said container neck. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pressure relief regulator is located between said container opening and said at least one pressure relief aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pressure relief regulator is a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane includes a plurality of gas pathways. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is manufactured from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pressure relief regulator is a variable pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said variable pressure relief valve is located within a valve seat inside of said closure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said variable pressure relief valve is located between said pressure relief aperture and a valve retainer. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said disposal formula is an aqueous solution of surfactant and neutralizer. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said surfactant is soap and said neutralizer is activated charcoal. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system further includes a removable seal over said pressure relief aperture on an external surface of said closure. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said removable seal is liquid impermeable. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said removable seal forms a heat seal or adhesive seal to said closure.