Medical waste container lid

Abstract

The present invention provides a lid for a waste container having a first portion pivotably connected to a second portion. The first portion includes a first handle and a first protrusion and the second portion includes a second handle and a second protrusion. The first protrusion engages the second protrusion to prevent the first portion from rotating relative to the second portion past a threshold angle.

1 . A lid for a waste container comprising:
 a first portion pivotably connected to a second portion;   the first portion including a first handle and the second portion including a second handle; and   a first protrusion extending from the first portion and a second protrusion extending from the second portion wherein the first protrusion engages the second protrusion to prevent the first portion from rotating relative to the second portion past a threshold angle.   
   
   
       2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion extends from a first edge on the first portion and the second protrusion extends from a second edge on the second portion, the first portion connected by a hinge to the second portion along the first edge and the second edge. 
   
   
       3 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the lid. 
   
   
       4 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle is located adjacent the second handle. 
   
   
       5 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein a channel extends about a perimeter of an underside of the lid. 
   
   
       6 . The lid of  claim 5 , wherein the channel includes a first pair of opposite channels at a first height and a second pair of opposite channels are at a second height that is different from the first height. 
   
   
       7 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold angle is approximately 180 degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is identical to the second portion. 
   
   
       9 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle and the second handle are located in a central region of the first portion and the second portion. 
   
   
       10 . A container and lid assembly comprising:
 a container having a plurality of walls defining an interior, the plurality of walls having an upper perimeter;   a lid including a first portion having a first protrusion and a second portion having a second protrusion;   a channel formed around a perimeter of the lid; and   the upper perimeter of the container accepted within the channel on the lid.   
   
   
       11 . The container and lid assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a first pair of opposite channels are at a first height and a second pair of opposite channels are at a second height that is different from the first height. 
   
   
       12 . The container and lid assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the second pair of channels accepts an upper hinged portion of the container. 
   
   
       13 . The container and lid assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first pair of opposite channels prevents the lid from sliding on the container when opening the first portion or the second portion. 
   
   
       14 . A method of removing a lid from a container including:
 a) engaging a first handle on a first portion and a second handle on a second portion of the lid;   b) applying a lifting force to the first handle and the second handle to remove the lid from the container; and   c) engaging a first protrusion on the first portion with a second protrusion on the second portion of the lid to prevent the first portion from rotating relative to the second portion past a threshold angle.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first handle is located adjacent the second handle.