IT201600076854A1 - CONTAINER FOR SANITARY WASTE AND RELATIVE ASSEMBLY METHOD - Google Patents

Description

"CONTAINER FOR SANITARY WASTE AND RELATED ASSEMBLY METHOD"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a container for medical waste, for example solid infectious waste, deriving from hospitals, health care or the like, and to a method of assembling the same.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

It is known that there are various types of containers for medical waste on the market, usable for example for solid infectious waste deriving from hospitals, health care or the like.

These containers for medical waste are normally disposable, as the waste contained in them is destined, according to the regulations in force, for thermal destruction, in an incinerator or the like, or for sterilization.

Such containers for medical waste generally comprise an outer casing in corrugated cardboard, alveolar polypropylene or the like inside which a bag is arranged in which to carry out the collection of medical waste.

In addition to solid infectious waste, these disposable containers can also be used for the collection and subsequent destruction of other types of hazardous waste, such as sharp or pungent waste, deriving from hospitals, health care or similar, after being placed in a additional rigid plastic packaging.

Given the nature of the waste they must contain, the bags that are introduced inside the envelope are made of waterproof material and capable of retaining any liquids present in the waste.

In the case of containers made for example of corrugated cardboard, it is known that the envelope is obtained by appropriate folding and shaping of a cardboard blank.

This blank has, in the areas that define the bottom of the container, flaps suitable for interlocking with each other, without any stable fastening system.

The final container made with an interlocking bottom has major limitations and drawbacks from the point of view of tightness, solidity and resistance to stress. In fact, this container could undesirably deform or even break under the weight of the inner bag. Moreover, this container does not have the necessary resistance in the operations following its filling, that is to say in the transport phases towards the thermal destruction centers.

Other types of containers made of honeycomb polypropylene or a combination of honeycomb polypropylene and cardboard, while having good efficiency, can present problems from the point of view of the production cycle and costs.

Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person skilled in the art upon reading the remainder of the present description with reference to the drawings and the description of the following embodiments, although it is understood that the description of the state of the technique related to the present description should not be considered an admission that what described here is already known from the state of the prior art. There is therefore a need to provide a container for medical waste which can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the known art.

An object of the present invention is therefore that of a container for medical waste which has a casing preferably made of corrugated cardboard, plasticized cardboard or the like and provided with a bottom which is fixed in a stable and secure manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for medical waste which has the necessary stiffness and stability both in the filling phases and in the subsequent transport phases to the thermal destruction, sterilization or other centers.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for medical waste that has a high flexibility and variety of application, for example by presenting an internal bag that can be fixed in various ways to the external envelope.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for medical waste which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling a container for medical waste which is quick and efficient, in particular as regards the stable fixing of the bottom of the container.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

In accordance with the aforementioned purposes and according to a first aspect of the invention, a container for medical waste comprises an envelope obtained from a cardboard blank, such as corrugated, plasticized or similar cardboard, containing a collection bag for medical waste; this casing is provided with a bottom formed by one or more sections of blank glued together and / or to the rest of the blank in correspondence with at least one predetermined fixing area.

In this fixing area, a fixing element obtained in a single piece with at least one section of the envelope or applied subsequently can be provided.

The fastening element can be a tab, a strip or the like protruding from this section of the casing.

In embodiments, the bottom is formed by this section belonging to a first wall of the envelope and by at least two other sections of a second wall formed by at least one pair of wings and opposite to this first wall; these sections are firmly joined by this fastening element.

Preferably, the fastening element is integral with this section of this casing.

These wings can be at least partially superimposed in the longitudinal direction so as to present a longitudinal bonding section of the envelope; the bottom fixing element is positioned in a substantially transverse direction with respect to this longitudinal gluing section.

The bag can be fixed to at least one of the walls of the envelope by means of one or more gluing elements, such as points, bars, strips or the like.

A further object of the invention is a method of assembling a container for medical waste, comprising: the longitudinal folding and gluing of a cardboard blank so as to make it assume a substantially tubular shape and in which a bottom is formed; the insertion of the cardboard blank in tubular form and with longitudinal gluing in a bottom fixing device, in which one or more sections of the blank are glued to each other and / or to the rest of the blank in correspondence with a predetermined fixing area .

According to further aspects of the invention, the bottom is fastened by means of sequential steps of progressive folding and pressing of this fastening area.

A further object of the invention is an apparatus for gluing the bottom of a container for medical waste. According to an aspect of the invention, this apparatus comprises at least one station for dispensing adhesive material; at least one device for moving a cardboard blank having a bottom formed by one or more sections of blank glued together and / or to the rest of the blank in correspondence with a predetermined fastening area; at least one bar for progressive folding of the bottom of the cardboard blank in correspondence with this fastening area; this bar is located downstream of this station for dispensing adhesive material; and at least one unit for pressing the bottom of the blank located downstream of said progressive folding bar.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, the drawing tables and the attached claims. The drawing tables, which are integrated and forming part of the present description, illustrate some embodiments of the present object and, together with the description, aim to describe the principles of disclosure.

The various aspects and features described in the present disclosure can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics present in the description or in the attached dependent claims, can be the subject of divisional questions.

It should be noted that any aspect or characteristic that is found to be already known during the patenting procedure is intended not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- fig. 1 is a plan view of a cardboard blank, for example corrugated, plasticized cardboard or the like, from which a wrapping for a container according to the invention is obtained;

- fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank of fig. 1 after a folding step along two longitudinal folding lines;

- fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank of the preceding figures in a configuration that precedes the fixing of the bottom;

- fig. 4 is a partial view in axonometry of an apparatus for fixing the bottom of the container;

- fig. 5 is an axonometric view of a first step of progressive folding of the bottom of the container;

- fig. 6 is an axonometric view of a further step of progressive folding and fixing of the bottom of the container;

- fig. 7 is an axonometric view of a further step of fixing and pressing the bottom of the container;

- fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank in a flat configuration and with the bottom fixed;

- fig. 9 is an axonometric view of a container for medical waste according to the present invention

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further specification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are illustrated in the attached figures. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and is not intended as a limitation thereof. For example, the features illustrated or described as being part of an embodiment may be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce a further embodiment. It is understood that the present invention will include these modifications and variations.

Before describing the embodiments, it is further clarified that the present description is not limited in its application to the construction and arrangement details of the components as described in the following description using the attached figures. The present disclosure may provide other embodiments and be embodied or practiced in various other ways. Furthermore, it is clarified that the phraseology and terminology used here is for descriptive purposes and should not be considered as limiting.

In fig. 1 shows a cardboard blank 10, for example corrugated cardboard or plasticized cardboard.

This blank 10 comprises a first wall 11, placed centrally, which will form the front or rear wall of an assembled container 12, see for example fig. 9.

This wall 11 is also provided with a section 26 which will form part of the bottom 27 of the container.

This section 26 is provided with a transversal edge 14, after which a fixing zone Z is obtained, see also fig. 8.

An element 15 for fixing the bottom 27 of the container 12 can be positioned in correspondence with this fixing zone Z.

This fastening element 15 can be an element separate from the blank 10, for example a tape, or it can be a flap of this section 26, such as a tab, a strip or the like.

The element 15 is preferably obtained in a single piece with the section 26 and therefore with the wall 11.

Said fastening element 15 can also be formed by a single strip or by a plurality of strips alternating with empty spaces, therefore with a sawtooth configuration or the like.

This fixing element 15 is preferably directed in the transverse direction T.

Two lateral walls 13a and 13b are placed on the sides of said first wall 11, along which two folding lines L1 and L2 directed in the longitudinal direction L are defined.

Each of these folding lines L1 and L2 substantially divides these walls 13a and 13b in half.

In these side walls 13a and 13b there are also openings 16 which will form the handles 17 of the container 12, see also fig. 9.

In said side walls 13a and 13b there are also obtained folding areas 18, which substantially allow to pass from a flattened configuration of the container 12, illustrated in fig. 2 and 3, to an open configuration, as for example in fig. 9.

On the sides of each of these side walls 13a and 13b the blank has wings 19a and 19b.

These wings 19a and 19b, once joined together, will partly form a second wall 20 of the assembled container 12, i.e. the front or rear wall, see for example fig. 9.

These wings 19a and 19b are provided with a final section 28a and 28b which will help to form the bottom 27 of the container 12, together with the section 26 of the wall 11.

A collection bag 21 for medical waste is fixed in the first wall 11.

This bag 21 can be fixed to the wall 11 of the blank 10 by any fastening system, for example by gluing.

The gluing of the bag 21 can take place on one or more points 22: in fig. 1 by way of example, four gluing points 22 have been illustrated.

Alternatively, it is also possible to provide for gluing bars or strips of the bag 21, suitably positioned.

The fastening of the bag 21 on the wall 11 of the blank 10 therefore substantially represents a first step of assembling the container. 13a and 13b are rotated around the folding lines L1 and L2 of fig. 1.

The result of this folding, which can be carried out by means of any suitable automated system, for example with opposing arms or the like, is illustrated in fig. 2.

The wings 19a and 19b and the sections 28a and 28b are made in such a way as to overlap at least partially on a longitudinal portion 23.

This overlap can be achieved by providing for example that one of the wings 19a or 19b is wider than the other or by providing that each of the two wings 19a and 19b has a width greater than half the width W of the container 12.

The wings 19a and 19b are joined to the other at the section 23, by gluing or other suitable system, in order to create the wall 20.

At the end of the folding and joining steps of the longitudinal wings 19a and 19b so as to form the wall 20, the blank 10 substantially assumes a tubular shape.

Bag 2 1 is fixed inside the blank 10 in tubular conformation.

At this point, a further step of folding and inserting the side walls 13a and 13b is carried out between the two walls 11 and 20.

The walls 11 and 20 are mutually spaced, by means of devices equipped with suction cups or the like, and the walls 13a and 13b are inserted in opposite directions between said walls 11 and 20, see the insertion directions D.

The blank 10, therefore, see fig. 3, always remains in a tubular conformation, but the lateral walls 13a and 13b are inserted, substantially like a bellows and folded in half, between the two walls 11 and 20, and therefore are not visible in fig. 3.

During the steps described up to now, suitable for obtaining a conformation of the blank 10 as in fig. 3, it can be envisaged that said blank 10 has run through an automatic machine capable of carrying out these steps in a longitudinal direction L.

At this point the blank 10 is transferred to an apparatus 24 which will carry out the stable fixing of the bottom 27 of the container 12.

This bottom 27 is substantially formed by the sections 28a and 28b of the wings 19a and 19b and by the section 26 of the wall 11.

The apparatus 24 suitable for carrying out the stable fixing of the bottom 27 of the container is partially and schematically illustrated in fig. 4.

This apparatus 24 comprises a station 29 for dispensing adhesive material, for example glue or the like, followed by a device 30 for moving the blank.

Said device 30 can provide for example a series of rollers 31 arranged in sequence and suitably actuated.

This device 30 allows the blank 10 to be moved by translation in the transverse direction T.

Proximity to this device 30 is a bulkhead 32 which comprises a slot 33 for introducing and positioning the blank 10.

This bulkhead 32 and this slot 33 are located downstream of the station 29 for dispensing adhesive material.

In front of the device 30 for moving the batten 10 there is a support 34 to which a progressive folding bar 35 of the zone Z for fixing the blank 10 is fixed, where the fastening element 15 can be provided.

This progressive bending bar 35 is positioned appropriately in the apparatus 24 and is suitably shaped.

Said bar 35 has a pair of plates 36 on which relative grooves 37 are formed. Said grooves 37 are adapted to engage on pins 38 integral with the support 34.

By moving the grooves 37 of the plates 36 along the pins 38 it is possible to adjust the position of the bar 35 with respect to the rest of the apparatus 24 and therefore with respect to the blank 10.

The bar 35 is made and positioned so as to present a first end 39 which is at a maximum distance from the rest of the apparatus 24 and a second end 40 which is at a minimum distance from it.

The first end 39 is positioned upstream of the station 29 for dispensing adhesive material, while the second end 40 is positioned downstream of this station 29 and upstream of a final pressing unit 41, for example a unit provided with at least one roller or similar. This pressing unit 41 is supported by a fixed support 42.

Substantially, therefore, the bar 35 has a convergent configuration along the direction T of advancement of the blank and joining the element 15 to the sections 28b and 28a which are part of the bottom 27 of the blank 10.

In a first phase, therefore, the station 29 dispenses a strip of adhesive material in the fixing zone Z where the fixing element 15 will be fixed, thanks to the device 30 for moving the blank 10. The blank 10 is made to advance along the apparatus 24 so that the element 15 is raised, thanks to the action of the bar 35, with respect to the rest of the blank 10, see fig. 4.

Thanks to the convergent shape of the bar 35, the fastening element 15 is progressively bent and placed in contact with the section 28b and then 28a of the wings 19b and 19a of the blank 10, see the sequence of figures 6 and 7.

The pressing group 41 at this point presses the fastening element 15 on the sections 28a and 28b of the wings 19a and 19b so as to definitively join it to these sections 28a and 28b.

In combination with what has been described, it would be possible to provide that the bar 35, in addition to convergence towards the apparatus 24 along the sliding direction T, also provides for a progressive lowering, always in the direction T, therefore towards the pressing unit 41, so to allow a further, effective approach of the element 15 to the sections 28a and 28b.

The blank 10, with the element 15 glued to the sections 28a and 28b which combine to form the bottom 27, is therefore extracted from the apparatus 24 and appears as in fig. 8.

In a subsequent shaping step of the blank 10, it can be provided that the bottom is inserted between the walls 20 and 11 by folding the sections 28a and 28b with respect to the line 43 and by folding the section 26 with respect to the line 44, see also Fig. . 9. By subsequent mutual separation of the walls 11 and 20, the container 12 is obtained as illustrated in fig. 9, with the bottom 27 perfectly closed and stably fixed in the fixing zone Z, provided in this case with the fixing element 15.

The container 12, therefore, is ultimately formed by an external casing 25 and by an internal bag 21.

The envelope 25 is formed by the four walls 13a, 13b, 20 and 11 and the bottom 27, firmly closed by the element 15.

Said casing 25 is made from a blank 10 preferably in a single piece.

Said blank 10, as said, is preferably made of cardboard, such as corrugated, plasticized cardboard or the like.

This bottom 27 is therefore formed by the section 26 of the wall 11 and by the sections 28a and 28b of the wings 19a and 19b which form the wall 20, joined by gluing in the fixing zone Z.

As an alternative to what has been illustrated, it is possible to provide that the sections 26 and 28a, 28b are fixed to each other and / or to the rest of the blank 10 or of the casing 25 by direct gluing them into one or more fixing zones Z , without therefore providing for the use of the fixing element 15.

If the fixing element 15 is provided, this element 15 can be fixed to the bottom 27 by gluing in a substantially transverse direction T, while the wings 19a and 19b and the sections 28a and 28b are welded in a longitudinal direction L: in this Thus, the container 12 exhibits a further increased resistance to stresses and solidity.

Said envelope 25 is open at the top, to allow the medical waste to be inserted into the bag 21.

Any closure element, such as a strap or the like, can be associated with the bag 21, to be used for example when the filling of the bag 21 has been completed.

It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the container for sanitized waste and the relative assembly method described up to now, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to realize many other equivalent forms of container for sanitized waste and relative assembly method, having the characteristics expressed in the claims and therefore all fall within the scope of protection defined by them.

In the following claims, the references in brackets are for the sole purpose of facilitating reading and should not be considered as limiting factors as regards the scope of protection underlying the specific claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Container for medical waste, characterized in that it comprises a casing (25) obtained from a cardboard blank (10), such as corrugated, plasticized or similar cardboard, containing a bag (21) for the collection of medical waste; said casing (25) being provided with a bottom (27) formed by one or more sections (26, 28a, 28b) of blank (10) glued together and / or to the rest of the blank (10) in correspondence with at least one predetermined fixing area (Z). 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that in said fixing area (Z) there is a fixing element (15) obtained in a single piece with at least one section (26) of the envelope (25) or applied subsequently. 3. Container according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said fastening element (15) is a tab, a strip or the like protruding from said section (26) of the casing. 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said fixing element (15) is integral with said section (26) of the casing (25). 5. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that said bottom (27) is formed by said section (26) belonging to a first wall (11) of the casing (25) and by at least two other sections (28a, 28b) of a second wall (20) formed by at least one pair of wings (19a, 19b) and opposite to said first wall (11), said sections (26, 28a, 28b) being firmly joined by said fixing element (15). 6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that said wings (19a, 19b) are at least partially superimposed in the longitudinal direction (L) so as to present a length (23) for gluing the casing longitudinally, said element (15) fixing of the bottom (27) being positioned in a substantially transverse direction (T) with respect to said longitudinal gluing section (23). 7. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bag (21) is fixed to at least one of the walls (11) of the envelope (25) by means of one or more gluing elements, such as points (22), bars , stripes or the like. 8. Method of assembling a container for medical waste, characterized in that it comprises: the substantially longitudinal folding and gluing of a cardboard blank (10) so as to make it assume a substantially tubular shape and in which a bottom is obtained (27); the insertion of the cardboard blank (10) in tubular form and with longitudinal gluing in an apparatus (24) for fixing the bottom (27), in which one or more sections (26, 28a, 28b) of blank (10) they are glued together and / or to the rest of the blank (10) in correspondence with a predetermined fixing area (Z). Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing of the bottom (27) is carried out by means of sequential steps of progressive folding and pressing of said fixing area (Z). 10. Apparatus for gluing the bottom of a container for medical waste, characterized in that it comprises at least one station (29) for dispensing adhesive material; at least one device (30) for handling a cardboard blank (10) bearing a bottom (27) formed by one or more sections (26, 28a, 28b) of blank (10) glued together and / or to the rest of the blank (10) in correspondence with a predetermined fixing area (Z); at least one bar (35) for progressive folding of the bottom (27) of the cardboard blank (10) in correspondence with said fixing area (Z), said bar (35) being located downstream of said station (29) for dispensing adhesive material; and at least one unit (41) for pressing the bottom (27) of the blank (10) located downstream of said progressive folding bar (35),