Abstract: A container for collecting sharps includes an opening adapted to receive sharps in a substantially vertical orientation, and an interior region for storing sharps received through the opening. The container includes a means for reorienting the sharps into an arrangement in which the sharps lie substantially parallel to one another within the interior region of the container. A method for configuring a sharps collection container includes the step of positioning a contoured surface of a guide element beneath an opening of the container to reorient sharps that are deposited through the opening into an arrangement in which the sharps are stored substantially parallel to one another in the container.

Abstract: A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).

Abstract: A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).

Abstract: A kit for medical waste disposal comprising a plurality of containers; a hood assembly configured to substantially cover an open end of a respective one said containers, the hood assembly defining a passage through which medical waste can be passed to the open end of said container; and a plurality of lids, separate from the hood assembly, each configured to be placed over an open end of a respective container and to substantially close the open end of said container when said container is at least partially filled with medical waste; each of said containers being configured for separation from the hood assembly for disposal.

Abstract: A refuse receptacle system comprising a frame and a plurality of refuse containers supported by the frame is provided. Each of the refuse containers have a receptacle and a complimentary lid reciprocally movable with respect to the receptacle. The receptacle of each of the containers is supported by the frame and is disposed at an angle in a range from about 10 to about 20 degrees from a vertical axis. A plurality of linkages are associated with the frame, whereby each linkage is coupled to the complimentary lid of one of the containers and is configured for reciprocation of the complementary lid between an open position and a closed position with respect to the receptacle.

Abstract: A medical implement dispensing and disposal system is configured for mounting within an interior of an enclosure having a first opening for receiving soiled medical implements and a second opening for dispensing medical implements. The system comprises a dispensing chamber configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure and removed from the interior of the enclosure. The dispensing chamber is configured to contain medical implements and has an access opening for passage of medical implements from the dispensing chamber. The access opening is positioned for alignment with the second opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of medical implements from the enclosure. The system further comprises a disposal chamber configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure adjacent the dispensing chamber and removed from the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A medical waste disposal system comprising an outer enclosure defining an interior and an opening providing access into the interior of the outer enclosure. A disposable container is positioned and substantially enclosed within the interior of the outer enclosure. A hood assembly is positioned and supported at least partially within the outer enclosure above the open end of the disposable container so as to at least partially define a passage extending between the opening defined in the outer enclosure and an open end of the container. A lid is configured to be positioned over and substantially close the open end of the container while the container is enclosed within the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).

Abstract: A sharps dispensing and disposal system configured for mounting within an interior of an enclosure is disclosed. The sharps dispensing and disposal system includes a dispensing chamber and a disposal chamber that are each configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure. The dispensing chamber and the disposal chamber are defined by separate containers that are each formed from a leak resistant material.

Abstract: A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A kit for medical waste disposal comprising a plurality of containers; a hood assembly configured to substantially cover an open end of a respective one said containers, the hood assembly defining a passage through which medical waste can be passed to the open end of said container; and a plurality of lids, separate from the hood assembly, each configured to be placed over an open end of a respective container and to substantially close the open end of said container when said container is at least partially filled with medical waste; each of said containers being configured for separation from the hood assembly for disposal.

Abstract: A medical implement dispensing and disposal system is configured for mounting within an interior of an enclosure having a first opening for receiving soiled medical implements and a second opening for dispensing medical implements. The system comprises a dispensing chamber and a disposal chamber defined by separate containers and configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure and removed from the interior of the enclosure. The dispensing chamber is configured to contain medical implements and has an access opening positioned for alignment with the second opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of medical implements from the enclosure. The disposal chamber is configured to collect soiled medical implements and has an inlet opening positioned for alignment with the first opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of soiled medical implements into the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).

Abstract: A medical waste disposal system comprising an outer enclosure defining an interior and an opening providing access into the interior of the outer enclosure. A disposable container is positioned and substantially enclosed within the interior of the outer enclosure. A hood assembly is positioned and supported at least partially within the outer enclosure above the open end of the disposable container so as to at least partially define a passage extending between the opening defined in the outer enclosure and an open end of the container. A lid is configured to be positioned over and substantially close the open end of the container while the container is enclosed within the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A medical waste disposal system comprising a disposable receptacle defining an opening and a hood assembly defining a passage therethrough and configured to be removably connected to the disposable receptacle such that the hood assembly passage aligns with the opening of the disposable receptacle and defines a disposal path into the disposable receptacle. A lid is coupled to the disposable receptacle and movable between an open position to permit passage of medical waste through the opening of the disposable receptacle and a closed position to substantially close the opening of the disposable receptacle and thereby substantially close the opening.