| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus and method for sterilizing and encapsulating contaminated waste particularly medical implement waste (17) in which a volume of thermoplastic compound (19) having a melting point temperature-calibrated at a value which corresponds substantially to the temperature at which all biological contamination is rendered steril substantially on contact, and impregnating a space (12) containing contaminated waste items (17) with the liquid compound (19) and thereafter cooling the mass to its solidified phase while containing it against protrusion of any waste item (17). Two stage treatment of the waste is effected by utilizing a second calibrated thermoplastic (83) having a lower melting temperature in a common deformable waste container (74) with the first thermoplastic (76). The container (74) is locked in a first geometry by means of the first thermoplastic (76) so that preliminary heating liquefies the second thermoplastic (83) to at least partially encapsulate and sterilize successive charges of waste, while simultaneously creating additional space in the container (74) to receive the subsequent charges of waste. When the container (74) is heated to a final elevated temperature it is released from its initial geometry by the liquefaction of the first thermoplastic (76) to complete the final encapsulation and sterilization process.</p> |
