Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a waste collection and particularly to a waste collection bin.
Description of Related Art
[002] Ampule bottles play a pivotal role in the administration of pharmaceuticals in healthcare facilities worldwide. The process of breaking these bottles is an essential, albeit frequently perilous, procedure within hospital settings. Unfortunately, in many instances, this task is executed in a suboptimal and unprofessional manner, especially in less organized healthcare facilities.
[003] Unorganized hospitals face significant challenges in managing the aftermath of ampule bottle breakage. The collection and disposal of broken pieces become a cumbersome and time-consuming task, often diverting precious resources and personnel away from critical patient care activities. Moreover, the improper method of ampule cutting in such environments poses a substantial risk to the safety and well-being of healthcare professionals, including doctors and staff members.
[004] The current state of ampule bottle handling in hospitals necessitates a more efficient and secure approach to this fundamental process. By addressing the shortcomings associated with the conventional methods, the proposed system aims to revolutionize ampule bottle handling, enhancing safety, productivity, and resource utilization within healthcare settings.
[005] CN1907840A discloses a ‘Ampule cutting apparatus’. However, the aforementioned art is complex to use.
[006] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced waste collection bin that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a waste collection bin. The waste collection bin comprising: a safety compartment. The safety compartment comprises: a receiving port provided on an outer body of the safety compartment to securely hold a neck of an ampule bottle. The receiving port is adapted to enable the safety compartment to receive a portion of the ampule bottle. The safety compartment further comprises: a cutting tool arranged proximate to the receiving port for weakening and breaking the neck of the ampule bottle such that broken pieces of the ampule bottle fall inside the safety compartment. The safety compartment further comprises: a discharge port provided proximate to a bottom end of the safety compartment, and adapted to enable a user to remove the broken pieces from the safety compartment.
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method of safely opening an ampule bottle using a waste collection bin. The method includes steps of: placing a neck of the ampule bottle securely into a receiving port of a safety compartment of the waste collection bin; providing a cutting tool near the receiving port to weaken and break the neck of the ampule bottle on rotating the ampule bottle inside the receiving port, causing broken pieces to fall inside the safety compartment; removing a removable collecting tray from a discharge port at a bottom end of the safety compartment; and safely disposing of the broken pieces collected in the removable collecting tray.
[009] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a waste collection bin.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a waste collection bin that is capable of breaking ampule bottles without injuring medical workers.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a waste collection bin that contains broken pieces of glass.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a waste collection bin that is cost effective.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a waste collection bin that is eco-friendly.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a waste collection bin, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates the waste collection bin, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method of safely opening an ampule bottle using the waste collection bin, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a diagram of a waste collection bin 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the waste collection bin 100 may be adapted to receive waste and disposable articles. According to embodiments of the present invention, the waste collection bin 100 may be installed in locations such as, but not limited to, a school, a college, an eatery, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waste collection bin 100 may be installed in hospitals. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for installation of the waste collection bin 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the waste received in the waste collection bin 100 may be, but not limited to, bandages, cotton, syringes, injections, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waste received in the waste collection bin 100 may be crushed and/or broken glass of an ampule bottle. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the waste that may be received in the waste collection bin 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the waste collection bin 100 may comprise a safety compartment 102, a supplementary compartment 104, a flap 106, a receiving port 108, a cutting tool 110, a discharge port 112, a removable collecting tray 114, a locking mechanism 116, and supplementary receiving ports 118a-118n (hereinafter referred individually to as the supplementary receiving port 118, and plurally to as the supplementary receiving ports 118)
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the safety compartment 102 may be adapted to receive and store a broken neck of the ampule bottle. According to embodiments of the present invention, the safety compartment 102 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a metallic material, a wooden material, a ceramic material, a plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for construction of the safety compartment 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the supplementary compartment 104 may be adapted to receive and store waste materials. According to embodiments of the present invention, the waste materials received in the supplementary compartment 104 may be, but not limited to, the bandages, the cotton, the syringes, the injections, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the waste material that may be received in the supplementary compartment 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, the supplementary compartment 104 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, the metallic material, the wooden material, the ceramic material, the plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for construction of the supplementary compartment 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flap 106 may be adapted to cover and close the safety compartment 102. The flap 106 may further be adapted to cover and close the supplementary compartment 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the flap 106 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, the metallic material, the wooden material, the ceramic material, the plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for construction of the flap 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving port 108 may be provided on an outer body of the safety compartment 102 to securely hold the ampule bottle. The receiving port 108 may further be adapted to enable the safety compartment 102 to receive a portion of the ampule bottle, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the ampule bottle that may be received in the receiving port 108 may be the neck of the ampule bottle. According to embodiments of the present invention, the receiving port 108 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the receiving port 108 may be a circular shape. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the receiving port 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting tool 110 may be arranged proximate to the receiving port 108. The cutting tool 110 may be adapted for weakening and breaking the neck of the ampule bottle, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, after weakening and breaking the neck of the ampule bottle, the broken pieces of the ampule bottle may fall inside the safety compartment 102 of the waste collection bin 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting tool 110 may be a circular blade. The cutting tool 110 may be constructed of a grinding stone, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge port 112 may be provided proximate to a bottom end of the safety compartment 102. The discharge port 112 may be adapted to enable a user to remove the broken pieces from the safety compartment 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the discharge port 112 may comprise the removable collecting tray 114 for collecting the broken pieces of the ampule bottle, that may further be removed and replaced by the user.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 116 may be adapted to securely lock the discharge port 112. The locking mechanism 116 may lock the discharge port 112 to prevent an accidental opening, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the supplementary receiving ports 118 may be adapted for accommodating the ampule bottle of varied dimensions.
[0035] FIG. 1B illustrates the waste collection bin 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 of safely opening the ampule bottle using the waste collection bin 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] At step 202, the waste collection bin 100 may enable the user to place the neck of the ampule bottle securely into the receiving port 108 of the safety compartment 102 of the waste collection bin 100.
[0038] At step 204, the waste collection bin 100 may provide the cutting tool 110 near the receiving port 108 to weaken and break the neck of the ampule bottle on rotating the ampule bottle inside the receiving port 108, causing broken pieces to fall inside the safety compartment 102.
[0039] At step 206, the waste collection bin 100 may enable; the user to remove the removable collecting tray 114 from the discharge port 112 at the bottom end of the safety compartment 102.
[0040] At step 208, the waste collection bin 100 may safely deposit the broken pieces of the ampule bottle collected in the removable collecting tray 114.
[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A waste collection bin (100) comprising:
a safety compartment (102), characterized in that the safety compartment (102) comprises:
a receiving port (108) provided on an outer body of the safety compartment (102) to securely hold a neck of an ampule bottle, and adapted to enable the safety compartment (102) to receive a portion of the ampule bottle;
a cutting tool (110) arranged proximate to the receiving port (108) for weakening and breaking the neck of the ampule bottle such that broken pieces of the ampule bottle fall inside the safety compartment (102); and
a discharge port (112) provided proximate to a bottom end of the safety compartment (102) and adapted to enable a user to remove the broken pieces from the safety compartment (102).
2. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a supplementary compartment (104) adjacent to the safety compartment (102) for receiving waste materials.
3. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving port (108) is circular in shape.
4. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge port (112) comprises a removable collecting tray (114) for collecting the broken pieces of the ampule bottle.
5. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting tool (110) is a circular blade.
6. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting tool (110) is made of a grinding stone.
7. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a flap (106) to close the safety compartment (102).
8. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising supplementary receiving ports (118a-118n) for accommodating the ampule bottle of varied dimensions.
9. The waste collection bin (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a locking mechanism (116) to lock the discharge port (112) for preventing an accidental opening.
10. A method (200) of safely opening an ampule bottle using a waste collection bin (100), the method (200) comprising steps of:
placing a neck of the ampule bottle securely into a receiving port (108) of a safety compartment (102) of the waste collection bin (100);
providing a cutting tool (110) near the receiving port (108) to weaken and break the neck of the ampule bottle on rotating the ampule bottle inside the receiving port (108), causing broken pieces to fall inside the safety compartment (102);
removing a removable collecting tray (114) from a discharge port (112) at a bottom end of the safety compartment (102); and
safely disposing of the broken pieces collected in the removable collecting tray (114).
Date: December 14, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)