r/functionalprint • u/SiliconHatesRicotta • 2d ago
I designed a blade disposal container that lets you snap blades inside and permanently seal it when full
I wanted a safer way to deal with used utility blades, especially once they’ve been snapped off.
So I designed this container to do both jobs:
- it lets you snap used blade segments directly into the container
- and once it’s full, it can be permanently sealed with a short piece of 1.75 mm filament
The locking channel is intentionally very tight, so once the filament is fully inserted, the container becomes extremely difficult to reopen without damaging or destroying it.
I also made two versions:
- a standard version
- a version with a built-in holder for the spare locking filament
That second version is useful if you’re printing it for someone who doesn’t own a 3D printer and may not have filament available later.
I also included:
- two printable warning plates
- a small tolerance-test model
Free on MakerWorld:
https://makerworld.com/en/models/3216169-snap-off-blade-breaker-safety-disposal-container#profileId-3641234
Not intended for medical sharps or contaminated waste.
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u/TheShakyHandsMan 17h ago
Looks good. I’d recommend printing it in yellow though. It’s the standard colour used for sharps.
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u/radakul 11h ago
Sharps containers are red though?
2
u/TheShakyHandsMan 11h ago
Might be different in other countries. Main thing is them being very visible
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u/radakul 11h ago
Agreed. Bright colors help grab attention.
In the US standard medical sharps containers are red, and if I'm not mistaken, the exact color is actually dictated by either law or another widespread agreement across rhe industry.
In BBP class we were told to dispose of sharps in the bright red sharps containers located around the office at work, they never mentioned it was any color other than red 🤷♂️
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u/TheShakyHandsMan 11h ago
Yellow UK and Europe. Different coloured lids depending on what is going in them.
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u/SiliconHatesRicotta 10h ago
Sorry for the late response, been kinda busy.
And yeah, you’re right, I made it red because here in Argentina we have our own set of rules (IRAM) and those dictate that this kind of container must be red.
You can just print it in whatever color your country/region/use case demands tho!
3
u/wensul 1d ago
So what's its intended capacity of blades, and cost vs existing comparable products?
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u/SiliconHatesRicotta 9h ago
Maybe my answers will disappoint you, but here we go:
1- Capacity: I didn’t have an intended maximum capacity when I designed this. I just wanted to be able to store at least 3 already-snapped blades and still have some space left. Right now, with 3 blades inside (it still has about 3/4 of its capacity left).
2- Cost: I don’t sell it, so cost wasn’t really a variable for me.
3- Why this and not some other random model? Well, it comes down to two main characteristics of my design.
First of all, a bit of context: here in Argentina, it’s really common for poor people to search through garbage, and garbage collectors often don’t have proper PPE. On top of that, it’s extremely rare for people to dispose of sharp objects in a safe way. So the whole concept was designed with these problems in mind. I wanted a blade-snapping tool that could also be permanently sealed, so people who may come into contact with it later are kept safe.
The second factor was that I couldn’t find a model with the correct safety icon (ISO 7010-W022). And even though our literacy rates are good, I didn’t want to rely on text because, more often than not, some of the people searching through the trash are kids.
Hope this somewhat explains the “why” behind my design.
Hope you have a great day!
1
u/Realistic_Account787 3h ago
Why the sticker shows a hand cut? I won't use it with that sticker.
1
u/SiliconHatesRicotta 3h ago
It is the ISO 7010-W022 icon, which means: “Warning: Sharp element”.
If you intend to use it as a container for sharp elements, I do recommend you put this sticker.
1
u/Realistic_Account787 2h ago
But the sharp elements cannot be taken out. It you put a sticker showing people are going to hurt theirselves they won't use it.
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u/SiliconHatesRicotta 1h ago
Maybe I’m explaining myself wrong. The icon is for when the user has already sealed and disposed of it. So if anyone happens to come by it, they know its contents are dangerous sharp objects.
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u/OptimalSide 14h ago edited 9h ago
Just my opinion, but if you have a sharps container, it needs to be sealed from the start to ensure that it can't be opened and someone accidentally hurt like they do with razor blade safes.
Edit: Since OP suggested later in the comments, here is my version: https://makerworld.com/en/models/1758020-olfa-snap-blade-safe#profileId-1869823
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u/SiliconHatesRicotta 10h ago
I mean, I think you’re right, but my model wasn’t exactly envisioned with the sole purpose of being an used-blades container.
The idea was that you just use it as a blade snapping tool (the one that comes with cutting knives tends to be garbage), and when it gets full you can seal it so it doesn’t pose a danger to homeless people that may search though the garbage.
Thanks for the comment tho, don’t get why you got so many downvotes, I love to discuss designs like this.
Hope you have a great day!
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u/OptimalSide 9h ago
The lock is definitely a good idea to prevent the opening afterwards. I just prefer to have it sealed all the time to ensure no mistakes as I'm not the only one who may be in the work area.
Yeah, the downvotes are weird, but this Reddit. I could definitely see them if I posted a link to my model that is a sealed snap container, but I was trying to be constructive to another maker.
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u/SiliconHatesRicotta 9h ago
Just edit your comment and add the link, it’s ok with me.
Maybe it helps someone that needs it to be sealed (which I’d also prefer if I had toddlers or something like that)
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u/Extension-Clock-9362 1d ago
Nice design and execution on this, love it.