IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,981,175
Granted Patent B2
US 8,981,175 · App. 13/525,874 · Granted Mar 17, 2015

Method for treatment and disposal of pharmaceutical waste

Inventor: Donald R. Stalons (Killen, AL)
B09B3/0075
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,981,175
App. No.
13/525,874
Granted
Mar 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exemplary system for treatment and disposal of pharmaceutical waste comprises a sealable pail, a stirring device, a sealable bag, a container, an acidic substance, and a denaturant. The sealable pail receives the pharmaceutical waste and the acidic substance. The acidic substance dissolves the pharmaceutical waste, and the stirring device stirs the acidic substance to ensure that the pharmaceutical waste is completely dissolved. The denaturant is added to the dissolved pharmaceutical waste and renders the dissolved pharmaceutical waste safe for transport. The treated pharmaceutical waste is sealed within the sealable pail, and the sealable bag receives the sealed pail and is sealed. The sealed bag is then placed in the container for transport to a disposal facility.

Claims (19)

1. A method for treatment and disposal of pharmaceutical waste, comprising:

placing pharmaceutical waste in a sealable pail;

applying an acidic substance to the pharmaceutical waste in order to dissolve the pharmaceutical waste;

stirring the acidic substance and the pharmaceutical waste until the pharmaceutical waste is dissolved;

treating the pharmaceutical waste with a denaturant;

sealing the treated pharmaceutical waste within the sealable pail;

sealing the sealable pail within a sealable bag;

placing the sealed bag within a container; and

transporting the container to a disposal facility.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acidic substance comprises a mineral acid.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the denaturant comprises a quaternary ammonium cation.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acidic substance is selected from a group including: orthophosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, polyphosphoric acid, boric acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrobromic acid, and perchloric acid.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the denaturant is selected from a group including: denatonium benzoate, denatonium saccharide, isopropanol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, pyridine, benzene, diethyl phthalate, and naptha.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stirring step comprises converting at least a portion of the pharmaceutical waste from a solid to a liquid.

7. A method for treatment and disposal of pharmaceutical waste, comprising:

dissolving pharmaceutical waste, whereby the dissolving comprises applying an acidic substance to the pharmaceutical waste;

rendering the dissolved pharmaceutical waste inert, wherein the rendering comprises combining the dissolved pharmaceutical waste with a denaturant;

sealing the dissolved pharmaceutical waste in a container; and

transporting the container.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61497609 · Jun 16, 2011
Related Publication 20120323061A1 · Dec 20, 2012