Sharps container

Abstract

A sharps container includes a sub-lid that normally defines an opening into the container that is too small for a hand. Upon closure of the sub-lid, the opening is enlarged so that larger objects can be placed in the container while the closure of the sub-lid continues to prevent a hand from reaching into the container interior. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a body portion including a side wall extending upward from a base wall to define a container interior having an upper opening; and   a sub-lid including a wall at least partially covering the upper opening such that an access opening to the container interior is defined by the wall, the sub-lid pivotable relative to the body portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein the access in the closed position is greater than when the sub-lid is in the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the wall of the sub-lid includes a concave wall portion and a rear wall portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the rear wall portion moves rearward when the sub-lid is moved to the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  further including an apron extending partially over the upper opening, the access opening defined between the apron and the wall. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the access opening is less than 1.5″ when the sub-lid is in the open position and greater than 1.5″ when the sub-lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  further including a lid that can be selectively closed over the sub-lid. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the lid includes a pair of pins received in guide tracks, wherein the pins move within the guide tracks as the lid is moved between an open position and a closed position, the guide tracks including a narrow portion selectively maintaining the lid in an open position. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  further including an insert selectively secured to the body proximate the upper opening, the sub-lid pivotably attached to the insert. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the insert includes an apron extending partially over the upper opening, the access opening defined between the apron and the wall. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the wall of the sub-lid includes a concave wall portion and a rear wall portion. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the rear wall portion moves rearward when the sub-lid is moved to the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . A container comprising:
 a body portion including a side wall extending upward from a base wall to define a container interior having an upper opening;   an insert selectively secured to the body proximate the upper opening; and   a sub-lid pivotably attached to the insert, the sub-lid including a wall at least partially covering the upper opening such that an access opening to the container interior is defined by the wall, the sub-lid pivotable relative to the body portion between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the insert includes an apron extending partially over the upper opening, the access opening defined between the apron and the wall. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the rear wall portion moves rearward away from the apron when the sub-lid is moved to the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the wall of the sub-lid includes a concave wall portion. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 12  further including a lid portion including a hood extending over a portion of the upper opening and over the sub-lid. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16  wherein the lid portion is integral with the insert. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the lid portion and the insert are hingeably connected to the body portion. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 12  further including a lock arm pivotable between an open position and closed position in which the lock arm locks the sub-lid in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . A container comprising:
 a body portion including a side wall extending upward from a base wall to define a container interior having an upper opening;   an insert selectively secured to the body proximate the upper opening, the insert including an apron extending partially over the upper opening; and   a tray pivotably attached to the insert, the tray including a wall at least partially covering the upper opening such that an access opening to the container interior is defined between the wall and the apron, the tray pivotable relative to the body portion between an open position and a closed position.