Abstract: A receptacle unit for safely storing potentially infurious implements. The unit comprises a permanent receptacle member being intended to removably receive a disposable member. The permanent receptacle includes a top wall which comprises a first opening to permit insertion of used implement to be discarded.

Abstract: A needle case for needlecraft work has a magnet on one side to allow the case to be held on the magnet board. The magnet holds the case for mounting but does not hold the needles within the case. A needle threader has a flat threader that can be inserted through the eye of a needle until an eye of the threader extends through the needle. A shoulder on the needle threader stops the needle, and a notch in the threader communicates with the eye of the threader for ease in passing yarn into the eye of the threader. The needle threader is made of a ferromagnetic material, and may be held on the magnet of the needle case. Further, the needle threader can be held on the magnet of the needle case, and remain there when the needle case is carried by a magnet board.

Abstract: A flat toothpick dispenser supports toothpicks in a common plane with a carrier. Each toothpick is supported by webs integral with the carrier. A border surrounds the toothpicks and prevents pointed end portions thereof from becoming exposed during use. Spacer portions integral with the carrier enable toothpicks to be detached one at a time.

Abstract: A suture package has a first panel and a second panel thermally bonded to form a suture compartment therebetween, the suture compartment including apertures adapted to allow pins to pass through for provisionally winding the suture around, the first panel including a stitch crosswisely produced, and the second panel has a cutaway portion which allows an upper portion of the first panel to protrude beyond the second panel as a tab whereby the user easily grasps the first panel and tears the same along the stitch. The suture is accommodated with its main portion being located within the suture compartment and with its end portions outside it.

Abstract: A container assembly for containing a commodity in a cylindrical primary container, and further including a cylindrical base and dispenser subassembly for receiving the cylindrical container, and for dispensing elongated, thin articles. The base and dispenser subassembly includes an upwardly extending peripheral flange, a downwardly extending peripheral flange and a transverse partition therebetween carrying the flanges. Parallel chordal partitions extend across, and substantially normal to, the transverse partition, and define a multiple article storage compartment. A dispenser closure cap includes an end plate which extends across the top of the article storage compartment. The end plate carries an annular outer flange which rotatably engages the downwardly extending peripheral flange. A mirror is affixed to the exterior of the end plate. In another form, the primary container may simply be formed as an integral part of the base and dispenser subassembly.

Abstract: A needle case includes a case member and a needle supporting member. The case member has an accommodation portion capable of accommodating therein a plurality of needles, a notch portion where any of the shanks of the needles can be pinched, a takeout opening from which a needle is extracted, and a cutaway portion through which thread is passed.

Abstract: A progressive die process for making medical needles attached to a carrier strip, as well as the product of the process. The process includes steps of forming a flat blank in unitary attachment with a carrier strip and coining edges of the tip of each flat blank, arcuately shaping the blank, and closeably forming the arcuate blank to create a medical needle having a holding portion, a cannulated portion and a tip. In addition, the cannulated portion may be encased for fluid delivery or grooved so the needle may be split.

Abstract: An overcase for needle packages is disclosed. The overcase includes a U-shaped bottom member and a U-shaped cover member. These members are slidably engaged with their respective shanks offset by 90.degree.. The shanks of the cover include depressed central panels which form guide surfaces. Cooperating guide shoulders are formed on the shanks of the bottom member. The lower ends of the cover member shanks carry projections engageable in recesses formed in the bottom member.

Abstract: A tray for holding sutures, vessel loops, umbilical tapes, and the like, having a base with a substantially flat upper surface and a lip on one edge thereof for hooking onto a Mayo stand. The flt upper surface of the tray has secured thereto one side of a loop and hook fastener substantially adjacent each side thereof. A plurality of transparent covers are hinged to said base and have the other side of the loop and hook fastener secured thereto in mating fashion with the side of the fastener secured to the upper surface of the tray. Tabs extend outwardly from the tray so that sutures or the like may be looped about the tabs, with the ends protruding at the opposite end. When the transparent covers are folded down, the sutures are removably held by the loop and hook fastener.

Abstract: A surgical suture package is disclosed. The package is self-contained and permits direct dispensing of one or more sutures.

Abstract: A suture winding card comprising a base panel and a plurality of flaps extending from and foldable over the base panel to cover and secure a suture thread coil disposed thereon. One of the flaps includes a plurality of triangularly shaped flap portions which can be selectively folded to form a pocket for receiving the end of a suture needle.

Abstract: An improved package for needled sutures comprising a plastic pack for one or more PTFE (optionally silk, cotton or other) sutures sealed within protective plastic envelopes wherein the suture is arranged within molded compartments of the pack, spaced apart by thin plastic spacers where multiple sutures are housed, and the needles firmly held across a U-shaped slot at the top of the holder by tabs or in curved slots so as to be easily accessible from either side of the pack when the protective envelopes are opened.

Abstract: A needle package from a panel with needle pockets adjacent to each other and clamping webs protruding into the pockets comprising a withdrawal cavity extending transversely to the pockets and slit pocket walls in the area of the clamping webs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener assembly comprising a number of fasteners each comprising a head, a crossbar and a filament interconnecting the head and the crossbar, each adjacent crossbars being interconnected through a connecting element in a manner of not undergoing a change in their relative positions, the number of crossbars in the fastener assembly being arranged in the form of a sheet as a whole.

Abstract: A combination toothpick dispenser/matchbook is disclosed in comprising a matchbook provided with a cover foldable against an opposite match-carrying portion of the matchbook, the cover having an inside surface, a toothpick dispenser attached to the inside surface, the dispenser including a pocket for receiving lower ends of toothpicks inserted therein, a retainer for holding the intermediate portions of the toothpicks flat against the inner cover surface, and a flap covering the upper ends of the toothpicks, both ends of the toothpick, that being cover for sanitary purposes and security while being readily accessible for individual removal. The combined matchbook/toothpick dispenser is disclosed in two different embodiments and a separate self-contained toothpick dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable surgical implement collector wherein a lamination of sponge plastic is provided at intervals with a series of spaced ribs, the ribs and adjacent portions of the lamination being depressed at intervals to form clearly marked channels dividing the ribs into a series of embossments which are numbered; each embossment adapted to receive a surgical needle or other small disposable surgical instrument; the sponge plastic lamination being bonded to a relatively rigid lamination provided with fold lines so that the complementary sections of the needle collector thus formed may enclosed the surgical instruments for disposal; the collector being provided with means for maintaining the collector in a folded condition.In one embodiment, each rib is folded upon itself in opposite lateral direction to confront adjacent portions of the laminations.

Abstract: A package for a set of twist drill bits or like tools consists of a one-piece, integrally thermoformed case, having a pedestal portion on its base component in which a series of tool-receiving recesses is defined. The closure component of the case has a cavity in which the pedestal portion is seated in the closed position, and in which may also be received a card insert for advertising and identification of the contained parts. The insert has at least one opening through which portions of the parts are visible, the material of fabrication of the case being transparent. Means is generally provided to increase the security of interengagement between the base and closure components.

Abstract: A tag pin fastener assembly includes a first tag pin assembly member having a first connecting rod and a plurality of tag pins coupled to the first connecting rod in a predetermined spacing, and a second tag pin assembly member having a second connecting rod and a plurality of tag pins coupled to the second connecting rod in the same predetermined spacing. The two connecting rods are coupled together so that the tag pins on the first rod are alternately arranged with the tag pins on the second rod.

Abstract: A vertically upright box-type outer enclosure includes a hinged, lockable front door permitting an upwardly open disposable jar container to be locked internally and aligned with a hole within the top of the box-type enclosure. A cylindrical drop chute fits to the hole and is barrel bolt locked in position with its lower end penetrating the top of the jar. The top of the drop chute carries a slotted needle remover plate, with the slot tapering such that a disposable sharp steel plastic needle holder frictionally fit to the lower end of a syringe barrel is inserted within the slot at its enlarged end, moved transversely within the slot such that the plastic needle holder is captured beneath the needle remover plate. The syringe body barrel is moved upwardly detaching the needle therefrom and permitting it to fall by gravity into the sharps impenetrable, jar type container. The door is periodically opened and the jar and accumulated needles removed.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing a suture includes an outer envelope formed of two panel layers which are sealed along their peripheries so as to hermetically enclose a region therebetween. An inner container positioned within the region includes a rectangular center panel which has a pocket formed by an overlaying window to snugly retain a needle therein. A second panel foldably secured to one longitudinal edge of the center panel receives on its left-half the major portion of the suture. The right-half of the side panel is then folded over the suture and again is folded over onto the upper surface of the center panel. A tab formed of the center panel is provided so as to lock the side panel when positioned on the center panel. A window is provided in the upper panel layer and overlies the window of the center panel so that the needle and a portion of the thread are viewable therethrough.

Abstract: A plastic needle package is disclosed with parallel partitions defining compartments in which needle constraining projections are provided by controlled deformation of the partition top and to facilitate removal of needles each partition is interrupted between its ends to encourage bending of the package to expose needle extremities for access.

Abstract: A three-panel needled suture retainer with a separate compartment for the needle and a separate compartment for the suture. The retainer includes die cut and foldable portions to readily expose the needle to the user.

Abstract: A container for medical waste products includes a receptacle and a closure member. The closure member is connected to a resiliently deformable member biasing the closure member to close the aperture to the receptacle. In one version the closure member is a cap guided by rails over the surface of the container and having a skeletal outer frame connected to the container which is distorted by opening of the aperture.There is also disclosed a device for rendering unusable a hypodermic syringe. The device may be provided as a removable insert for the container.

Abstract: The invention provides an element for holding a needled suture comprising a suture strand having at least one end attached to a needle and having a first portion of said strand remote from the end attached to said needle and a second portion of said strand intermediate said first portion and the end attached to said needle, said element comprising a unitary piece of soft, flexible polymeric foam, said element having a longitudinal medial axis, a peripheral wall, first and second sides, and first and second ends, said element further comprising:(a) a first peripheral wall portion of said first side a first predetermined distance away from said longitudinal medial axis;(b) a first retaining means for retaining said needle, said first retaining means comprising a second peripheral wall portion at or near said first end on said first side, a second predetermined distance from said longitudinal medial axis that is less than said first predetermined distance away from said longitudinal medial axis;(c) a second reta

Abstract: A toothpick dispenser for vertically dispensing a toothpick includes a stationary base having an upright cylindrical housing, and a cylindrical body for containing toothpicks which is telescopically received within the housing for vertical sliding movement therein. An upstanding stationary support stand projects axially from the base within the housing, and the movable body includes a cone-shaped bottom that slopes inwardly and downwardly toward a central opening which slidably receives the support stand. When the body is moved upwardly to its loading position a single toothpick passes through the opening in its bottom and is received on end by the stand. When the body is moved downwardly to its dispensing position the stand closes the opening in the cone and the toothpick projects from the body in an upright vertical positon. The dispenser also includes a removable cover for the body having a guide member for directing the toothpick through an opening in the cover.

Abstract: A portable toothpick case comprises a flat box-like body composed of a flat base member and a flat cover member and having lengthwisely elongated top and bottom openings on its top and bottom periphery walls; a lid member lengthwisely slidably mounted on the top opening of the body and having a guide plate and an opening for taking out toothpicks contained in the body one by one; a toothpick delivery structure; a movable bottom plate mounted on the bottom opening of the body; and fixing clips for integrally fixing the base and cover members. Toothpicks are inserted into the body through the bottom opening and are taken out one by one by sliding the lid member.

Abstract: A system for disposal of dangerous sharp articles and dangerous liquids, particularly those which represent the waste in certain medical procedures, includes an inner container and closure means and an outer wide mouthed, necked container whose receiving opening is closed against removal of material by a tapered, preferably conical insert which is divided into flaps and alternative covers, one to facilitate separation of syringe needles and thin barrels and the other to lock the outer container closed.

Abstract: A disposal system for syringe and needle combinations is provided. The system includes a container which is adapted to receive a lid having a flexible resilient one-way valve adapted to allow insertion of a syringe and/or needle, while preventing re-emergence of the syringe and/or the needle. The lid further includes a passive bending structure adapted to allow bending of the needle, to render the needle unusable, prior to insertion of the syringe and/or the needle into the disposal system container.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the safe disposal of used hypodermic needles. According to a preferred embodiment, a funnel-like member, adapted to be hand-held, functions to support a needle sheath during a needle-sheathing operation. The converging walls of such member shield the hand of the user from accidental "needle sticks". Also disclosed are needle containers which incorporate means for facilitating the sheathing of used needles prior to entering the container.

Abstract: A storage case for needlecraft materials and the like, with an extender for the case. The storage case has three sections hinged together so the case can be folded into thirds, each of the three sections having pockets for storing materials for easy retrieval. At least one section has a sub-divided pocket for receiving knitting needles. A flap above the sub-divided pocket can either cover the ends of short needles, or lie against the backing to allow long needles to pass over the flap. Another flap is positioned to cover the ends of the long needles. One end section has a large pocket opening towards the hinge. An extender is foldable about its hinge into two sections. One section of the extender can be placed into the large pocket, and the entire case can be closed as one case.

Abstract: A make-up applicator comprises a wallet in the shape of a book of matches, having an array of tear off sticks with tips coated with eye shadow or lip rouge, and a closure flap adapted to fold over the sticks to close the wallet. A relief formation prevents the closure flap from contacting the coated tips of the sticks when the wallet is closed.

Abstract: A disposable receptacle for disposing of sharp and hazardous objects such as syringes, razor blades and similar objects discarded from clinics and hospitals, includes a generally box-like container preferably constructed of a rigid durable plastic having a circular opening in the top with a neck projecting from the opening and including a closure having a plurality of pie-shaped spring flaps forming a one way closure for permitting the insertion of objects but preventing the withdrawal of objects from the container. Shoulders project upward from the top of the container at each side of the neck with handles extending between the neck and shoulders providing handles for carrying, and forming slots therebetween for receiving a generally D-shaped lock strap member for lockably attaching the container to a vertical support surface preferably at an elevated position to reduce access by children and the like. Grooves are formed around the perimeter of the container for receiving straps for mounting the container.

Abstract: Cover for a vessel aperture manufactured in one piece notably through the casting of a plastic material, comprising in part a channeled frame adapted to be sealed or otherwise attached to the outer edges of a vessel aperture, a cover adapted to fit into the frame in closed position, the frame and cover being connected by a zone of liaison constituting a hinge and formed in a single piece interdependent with the frame and cover from the time they were cast with the cover piece in the open position.

Abstract: A medical appliance disposal container is disclosed having at least one opening for insertion of medical appliances, the opening being covered by at least one slotted plastic membrane for insertion of the desired medical appliance into the disposal container. In at least one of the openings at the end of the slot is a needle destruction means whereby needles may be destroyed while attached to a syringe and the destroyed needle-syringe assembly inserted through the slot into the disposal container. In another embodiment, laminated plastic screens can be color-coded to aid in sorting and counting of medical appliances, such as scalpel blades, following surgery. The disposal container of this invention provides for the direct intact disposal of a wide variety of medical appliances while providing an inexpensive container for placement at a large number of locations throughout a health care facility.

Abstract: A package for articles is particularly suitable for small dental tools and fittings.The package includes a base member and a rotary member mounted for rotation relative to the base member.A circular space for the articles is defined between the base member and the rotary member and the space is divided into radial compartments arranged to receive the articles.The base member also defines a chute leading to a pocket, the chute communicating with the compartments for dispensing the articles upon rotation of the rotary member.The rotary member is transparent for viewing the articles in the compartments and the rotary member is indexable to ensure retention and release of articles from the compartments.

Abstract: A package is provided for the marketing and distribution of dental drills, and the like, in which each drill is supported in an upright position in a base, within a rigid casing, and spaced from the walls and top of the casing. The base and casing may be formed of appropriate plastic materials, and the casing may be transparent. A number of like packages may be detachably attached to one another at the edge of their bases in side-by-side relationship, and contained in an open-ended carton. To remove a drill, the package containing the drill is pushed out one end of the carton, and it is detached from the other packages within the carton. The casing is then pulled off the base to expose the drill, and to permit it to be removed.

Abstract: A means for removably securing a plurality of needles wherein a plurality of holding means are disposed from one surface of a member, the holding means having an elongated shape with adjacent longer sides being substantially parallel. The needle is gripped on its inside curved surved in at least two points and on its outside curved surface at one point.

Abstract: A folder retainer for surgical sutures, particularly multi panel, folded paper retainers for pluralities of coiled sutures.

Abstract: A medical appliance disposal container is disclosed having at least one opening for insertion of medical appliances, the opening being covered by at least one slotted plastic membrane for insertion of the desired medical appliance into the disposal container. In at least one of the openings at the end of the slot is a bending means whereby needles may be bent while attached to a syringe and the bent needle-syringe assembly inserted through the slot into the disposal container. In another embodiment, laminated plastic screens can be color-coded to aid in sorting and counting of medical appliances, such as scalpel blades, following surgery. The disposal container of this invention provides for the direct intact disposal of a wide variety of medical appliances while providing an inexpensive container for placement at a large number of locations throughout a health care facilty. The medical appliance disposal container disclosed reduces the risk of contents spillage should the container be upset during use.

Abstract: A surgical suture package comprises a center panel. At least one foam receptacle is affixed to the panel. A plurality of cards are placed onto the panel, adjacent to the receptacle. A plurality of sutures are singly contained in a non-tangling configuration on a major portion of each card.A first flap is placed onto the cards. A means is provided for attaching the first flap to the cards and to the panel. A second flap is foldably attached to the panel, and is placed onto the receptacle and the first flap.The package is useful for singly containing a plurality of sutures with at least one end of each suture contained by a receptacle.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing a suture includes an outer envelope formed of two panel layers which are sealed along their peripheries so as to hermetically enclose a region therebetween. An inner container positioned within the region includes rectangular upper, center and lower panels which are foldably secured along respective score lines. The upper panel has a pocket formed by an overlaying window to snugly retain a needle therein. The upper panel is folded back onto the center panel which receives and retains a major portion of the suture secured to the needle. The lower panel is also folded over the center panel and is coupled to the upper panel. Both the upper and lower panels are capable of slidably moving over the center panel. Interlocking panels secured to lower panel sides lock the upper and lower panels together.

Abstract: An open-faced welding rod and stub receptacle having a box-like configuration defined by side walls and a bottom wall, and including a front serrated-edge wall and a full rear-retainer wall. The rear-retainer wall includes an inwardly bent lip, providing a support pocket for the rods and stubs. Mounted to the front and side walls is a handle defining a rod retainer and divider member by which the rods are kept separated and the receptacle can be carried or hung, the handle being disposed so that the open-faced receptacle, when carried or hung, will assume an angular position, the handle including an elevation-securing aperture. Transversely mounted between the side walls in a retainer rod, in order to assist in preventing the rods from falling out of the open-faced receptacle, the front wall including a second securing aperture and the rear wall having a slag-pick holder mounted thereto. The receptacle can further include magnetic support legs to provide a means for mounting the receptacle to a metal surface.

Abstract: A magazine for a protected storage of a set of drills and for enabling a selective withdrawal of drills arranged in individual pockets in the magazine. The magazine includes a flat magazine body having narrow end faces with at least two straight rows of parallel pockets being provided in the magazine body into which drills are inserted and are accommodated over their full length. The pockets have an open end which opens in a direction of one of the narrow end faces. The narrow end faces of the magazine body are interconnected by curved transistion faces and form a sliding face for a covering strip which is slidably guided along a narrow surface area of the magazine body, which surface area is formed by the narrow end faces and the curved transistion faces. The covering strip includes a number of selector openings corresponding to the number of rows of pockets in the magazine body.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of a holder for receiving contaminated sutures, needles, sharps and other surgical instruments used during surgical operations, a reusable holder to enable an accurate method of counting the needles used during the surgery is disclosed. The holder includes a tray, a numbered adhesive strip mounted on the tray for receiving the sutures, needles and sharps and a gathering block for pressing the adhesive strip and the surgical instruments retained thereby into an accordion-like, fan-folded package for disposal. The holder is autoclavable and may be sterilized along with the other surgical instruments in the hospital autoclave. A retractable work surface which may be used in conjunction with the holder is also disclosed. The work surface is provided with a magnetic strip for organizing sutures, needles, sharps and other surgical instruments thereon.

Abstract: A toothpick comprises an elongated section of thin corrugated plastic material such as synthetic resin, the opposite ends of the material are curved so that one end defines a projecting point. The corrugations run longitudinally so that the projecting point is relatively stiff. The plastic material is quite thin so as to enable the several parts of the toothpick to be moved between adjacent teeth to free food therefrom.

Abstract: A toothpick holder and dispenser that is especially adapted for carrying in the pocket of a user includes an elongated container having an open end and cap member covering the open end. Each member is integrally made of plastic material and has rounded corners to avoid damaging the pocket of the user. The container has a cylindrical main compartment for holding a quantity of toothpicks, and also has one circumferential portion of its exterior wall radially enlarged to provide a discharge compartment. The cap member is rotatable between one position in which it fully covers the discharge compartment and another position in which the discharge compartment is exposed for purpose of withdrawing a toothpick therefrom.

Abstract: A disposable container for used sharp surgical implements is formed of an outer casing lined with resilient pads, and is configured to fold into the closed position where it is retained via simple mechanical means which permit reopening if necessary. The basic device includes integral edge guards and a variety of closure retaining means, and includes an embodiment having a transparent outer casing to facilitate visual inspection and inventory of the surgical implements after container closure prior to final disposal.

Abstract: An improved package for needled sutures comprising a folded suture retainer wherein a coiled suture is contained between two folded panels while the needle is contained between two adjacent folded panels. A gusset along the foldline between the needle retention panels and the suture retention panels provides a channel for the length of suture traversing the foldline and facilitates the easy withdrawal of the suture from between the panels of the folded retainer.

Abstract: The needle pack includes a base member, provided with a needle holder portion and a flexible cover member. The base member has one end edge attached to an end edge of the cover member and an engaging lug is formed at the other end of the cover member for engagement with a hole formed in the base member. The cover member is formed with a convex portion near the edge attached to the base member and a concave portion formed in contact with the base member adjacent to the convex portion whereby when the convex portion is pushed down, the cover member springs up due to the fulcrum action of the concave portion and the engaging lug is disengaged from the hole of the base member to open the cover member.