Secure containers having unidirectional apparatuses for used or unused materials and methods for making and using same
Inventors
Kunik, Burton J. • Berns, James C. • Aladwani, Al • Dance, Claude • Gossman, David G.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8324443-B2
Publication Date
2012-12-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Secure containers are disclosed for disposal of unused, experimental, and/or expired pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, veterinary medicines, and/or similar materials, where the containers include at least one unidirectional apparatus for depositing materials into an interior of the container, while resisting normal attempts at retrieval of deposited materials. Methods are also disclosed for making and using the secure containers including a unidirectional member supporting deposition of materials into an interior of the container, while resisting withdrawal of deposited materials.
Core Innovation
The invention provides secure disposal containers for source materials that are generated at a location, where the container includes at least one sidewall, a bottom, and a top having at least one opening including a unidirectional apparatus. The unidirectional apparatus permits source material to be deposited into an interior of the container while resisting normal attempts of retrieval of the source material deposited therein. The container interior is defined by the top, the at least one sidewall, and the bottom.
A method is disclosed that positions the secure container at the location where source materials are generated, places the source materials into the interior of the container through the opening in the container to fill the container, and then seals a filled container and/or seals the openings of the filled container to form a sealed container. The sealed container is transported via a delivery service to a processing facility. The unidirectional apparatus is used during deposition to allow adding source material while restricting normal withdrawal.
The disclosure further describes container systems and processing paths, including optional post-processing and combustion, and it defines normal attempts at withdrawal. Unidirectional apparatus structures are disclosed in broad categories and illustrative embodiments, including radially slitted and non-radially slitted apparatuses, slidable-housing apparatuses with a slidable hollow cavity, a rotatable member apparatus with a rotation about 180°, and arcuate slitted/tabbed apparatuses.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a method for secure deposition, sealing, and delivery of a filled container to a processing facility using a container having a top opening with a unidirectional apparatus that permits deposition while resisting normal retrieval. One independent claim is identified, and dependent claims further specify multiple unidirectional apparatus structural types and extend the method to optional post-processing and burning in a combustion facility with energy and/or ash reuse.
Secure container with unidirectional deposition opening
A container comprising at least one sidewall, a bottom, and a top having at least one opening including a unidirectional apparatus, where the unidirectional apparatus permits source material to be deposited into the interior of the container while resisting normal attempts of retrieval of the source material deposited therein.
Deposit, seal, and transport to a processing facility
Positioning the secure container at a location where source materials are generated, placing the source materials into an interior of the container through an opening in the container to fill the container, sealing a filled container and/or sealing the openings of the filled container to form a sealed container, and transporting the sealed container via a delivery service to a processing facility.
Rotatable unidirectional apparatus depositing via 180° rotation
A fourth type unidirectional apparatus using a rotatable member with an opened interior, where rotating the member 180° deposits material into the opened interior of a container.
Slidable hollow-cavity unidirectional apparatus
A third type unidirectional apparatus where a slidable member with a hollow cavity in a housing is moved to align the cavity with a top opening so source material can fall into the container interior.
Biased slidable quick-closing unidirectional apparatus
A sixth type unidirectional apparatus uses a biased slidable member with a handle mounted in an opening in the top of the container, compressing the bias when opened and quickly restoring to a closed state after material is loaded.
Post-processing modifying combustion properties or barrier properties
A sealed container and/or a filled container is post-processed to modify combustion properties of the filled container or to impart designed barrier properties to it.
Burning sealed containers in a combustion facility with energy/ash use
Burning sealed containers, or a post-processed sealed container, in a combustion facility to convert generated heat into usable energy and/or use the ash to form a usable product.
Across the identified claim set, the core claimed coverage is a secure disposal method where source material is deposited through a top opening using a unidirectional apparatus that resists normal retrieval, followed by sealing and transport to a processing facility. Dependent claim coverage refines the unidirectional apparatus using multiple structural types, and further extends the system to optional post-processing and to burning sealed containers in a combustion facility with usable energy and/or ash reuse.
Stated Advantages
Resists normal attempts of retrieval of the source material deposited therein.
Allows deposition of source material into the interior of the container through an opening while preventing normal withdrawal.
Forms a sealed container by sealing a filled container and/or sealing the openings of the filled container.
Supports delivery of the sealed container to a processing facility via a delivery service.
Enables optional post-processing to modify combustion properties or impart designed barrier properties.
Enables burning in a combustion facility to convert generated heat into usable energy and/or to use ash to form a usable product.
Documented Applications
Disposal of unused/expired/experimental pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and veterinary medicines in secure containers that allow deposition while resisting retrieval.
Transport of a sealed filled container to a processing facility via a delivery service, with optional post-processing and/or burning in a combustion facility.
Burning sealed containers, or post-processed sealed containers, in a combustion facility to convert generated heat into usable energy and/or use ash to form a usable product.
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