Item collection bin and disposal method

Abstract

A tamper-evident bin for collecting confidential items has a self-locking closure that allows one to determine whether there has been an unauthorized opening of the bin. On a requested or a scheduled basis, a disposal service retrieves the old tamper-evident bin, provides a new tamper-evident bin, and disposes of the old tamper-evident bin and all of its contents without ever opening the bin. The bins can also include respective identity codes that allow them to be easily tracked to determine whether there has been an unauthorized replacement of a bin. Optional temporary storage of selected bins allows a second chance access to the bins prior to destruction.

1 . A method of collecting and disposing of confidential items comprising: 
 placing a bin at a location permitting a confidential item to be placed in the bin;    thereafter, retrieving the bin and the confidential item therein from the location without opening the bin; and    destroying the bin and the confidential item therein without opening the bin.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transporting the bin and the confidential item therein from the location to a processing facility without opening the bin.  
   
   
       3 . A method of collecting and disposing of confidential items comprising: 
 placing a bin having a first identification thereon at a location permitting a confidential item to be placed in the bin;    storing the first identification of the bin in association with a identity of the location;    thereafter, retrieving the bin and the confidential item therein from the location without opening the bin;    reading the first identification on the bin;    determining that the first identification read is the same as the first identification stored with the first identity to confirm that the bin retrieved from the location is the as the bin that was placed at the location.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising destroying the bin and the confidential item therein without opening the bin.  
   
   
       5 . A method of collecting and disposing of confidential items from a facility having a plurality of workstations associated with the confidential items comprising: 
 providing a plurality of tamper-evident bins having respective self-locking closures;    providing each of the tamper-evident bins at a respective one of the plurality of workstations;    retrieving the plurality of tamper-evident bins and the confidential items therein from the plurality of workstations without opening any of the plurality of tamper-evident bins; and    inspecting each of the tamper evident bins to determine whether any of the tamper-evident bins has been opened after it was placed at a workstation.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising destroying the plurality of tamper-evident bins and the confidential items therein without opening any of the plurality of tamper-evident bins.  
   
   
       7 . A bin for collecting confidential items comprising: 
 two opposed, generally vertical, endwalls;    two opposed, generally vertical, rectangular sidewalls;    a generally horizontal rectangular top;    a generally horizontal rectangular bottom in opposition with the top;    the endwalls, sidewalls, top and bottom being connectable together to form the bin such that opening the bin is subsequently detectable by physical damage to the bin;    an insertion slot located near an upper edge of an endwall and adapted to receive the confidential items; and    the bin being made of a material permitting the bin and the confidential items therein to be simultaneously destroyed.    
   
   
       8 . The bin of  claim 7  wherein the material is cardboard.  
   
   
       9 . The bin of  claim 8  wherein the endwalls, sidewalls, top and bottom are formed from a common piece of material.  
   
   
       10 . The bin of  claim 7  further comprising a flap hinged to a lower edge of the insertion slot and extending upward and inward into the bin.  
   
   
       11 . The bin of  claim 7  further comprising a self locking tabs for connecting the top to one of the sidewalls.  
   
   
       12 . The bin of  claim 7  wherein the slot is sized to accept paper items.  
   
   
       13 . The bin of  claim 7  wherein the slot is sized to accept containers for pharmaceuticals.  
   
   
       14 . The bin of  claim 7  wherein the slot is sized to accept plastic materials.  
   
   
       15 . The bin of  claim 7  wherein first edges of the endwalls, sidewalls, top and bottom are not connected to adjacent edges of the endwalls, sidewalls top or bottom, and the bin further comprises flaps extending from respective first edges and overlapping respective adjacent edges to eliminate any open joints between the first edges and respective adjacent edges.