Inventors:
Casey E. Waluda - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B23B 514
Abstract:
Syringe needles are cut in an efficient manner and safely disposed using a cutting mechanism and a disposal container. The cutting mechanism includes two discs with sharp edges. The discs are displaced toward each other and into an overlapped position. At the same time, the circular discs are rotated around the longitudinal axis of the needle at a high angular velocity and are allowed to pivot upon coming in contact with the needle. The cutting and disposal apparatus includes a housing with a syringe receptacle for receiving the needle of a syringe and a used needle disposal container. The used needle disposal container has an orifice in alignment with the syringe needle receptacle in the housing. A switch associated with the syringe needle receptacle when the syringe needle syringe is inserted into the receptacle automatically activates a motor which imparts the displacement and rotational motion and causes the discs to pivot around their center upon contact with the needle to slice the needle off of the syringe. After the needle is cut off, it falls into the used needle disposal container placed directly below the syringe receptacle.