VERNICHTUNG UND ABFALL VON SCHARFEN GEGENSTÄNDEN.

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for safe disposal of hypodermic syringes, needles and other small, contaminated instruments such as, for example, scalpel blades, stitch cutters etc. (commonly referred to as "sharps"). The apparatus firstly comprises a collection container (30) having a primary lid (31) which is movable between an open position and a closed position, and is releasably latched in the closed position. The latch mechanism (34) is adapted to be released when the container is brought into cooperation with a destructor apparatus (10). The destructor apparatus comprises a disposal receptacle (55) adapted to receive the container and unlatch the lid, and a destructor means (20, 13, 14) adapted to generally comminute the materials deposited therein. The destructor apparatus has an inlet (15) and an outlet (16), a plurality of rotating blades (20) which cooperate with two cutting plates (13, 14) which are arranged to define a flow path for the materials between the inlet and the outlet. The cutting blades and cutting plates cooperate to comminute the material by impact and cutting action. The present invention provides a convenient means of disposing of sharps generally without risk to the person handling the sharps.