Importance

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Abstract

A reusable dual compartment sterilizable waste containment unit has a rigid walled container divided into a large soft waste cavity and a smaller sharp waste compartment in a single unitary container. The mouths of the cavity and the compartment are located at and circumscribed by a rim of the walled container which supports a removable closure and cover. The closure has a large opening leading to the mouth of the cavity and a smaller opening leading to the mouth of the compartment to facilitate use of the same waste containment unit for both kinds of infectious waste which are collected and stored separately. The cover has a port leading to the interior which permits access to the soft waste cavity when the lid is unlifted. The port is useful to introduce water and/or steam into the interior. The waste containment unit is molded from plastic which can withstand repeated exposure to steam produced from water in the unit by high energy microwave radiation. The lid is hingedly connected to the closure for lifting to expose the opening to the interior. The subassemblies are nestable and stackable and adapted for reuse by sterilization of the contents in the container. After sterilization, the contents may be safely shredded and disposed of in the ordinary waste stream and the article reused.

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First Claim