National Syringe Disposal, Inc.

David E Wood

Thomas Pearce

Jack R Sorwick

Philip E Clements

Arthur W Wallace

David B Swezey

Paul Welborn

A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit (1) and a processing unit (2'). The collection unit (1) has an in-feed mechanism (11) to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit (1); and an interlock mechanism (12) suitable for removably securing the collection unit (1) to the processing unit (2') and emptying the syringes from the collection unit (1) into the processing unit (2'). The processing unit (2') contains an interlock mechanism (20) suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism (11); a hammer mill (43) for initially breaking up the syringes (45) into discrete pieces (45'); a paddle wheel (44) to regulate the passage of the broken syringe pieces to a grinder (21) suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; a crucible assembly (22) suitable for heating these particles above the melting point of plastic, and then cooling to produce a solid puck of plastic in which the metal particles are suspended and encapsulated; and a controlling means (50) to coordinate the efficient operation of the members of the processing unit (2').

Syringe disposal apparatus and method

A syringe disposal apparatus has a portable collection unit and a process unit. The collection unit has an in-feed mechanism to allow syringes to be introduced into the collection unit; and an interlock mechanism suitable for removably securing the collection unit to the processing unit and emptying the syringes from the collection unit into the processing unit. The processing unit contains an interlock mechanism suitable to activating the collection unit interlock mechanism; a grinder suitable for grinding the syringes into particles of metal and plastic; and a crucible assembly suitable for heating these particles above the melting point of plastic, and then cooling to produce a solid puck of plastic in which the metal particles are suspended and encapsulated.

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Englewood, CO, United States of America

David E Wood