Waste disposal devices

• US 20050028491A1
• Filed: 09/07/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: David Stravitz
• Inventors: Stravitz, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/470
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 67/1277 for dispensing flexible tubular material gathered up in the shape of a ring
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/15 the preformed tubular webs being stored on filling nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/062 having means for storing or dispensing spare bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/12 with devices facilitating emptying
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1675 by twisting, e.g. of a flexible tube
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2230/15 Sleeve having a disconnectable bottom
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2240/132 Diapers

Abstract

Waste disposal device including a container defining a waste-receiving chamber, an insert defining a cavity receivable of a pack of flexible tubing for encapsulating waste packages and an inner lid connected to the container and selectively substantially covering or exposing an open top of the insert leading to the cavity. The inner lid and insert define a dispensing opening through which the tubing passes during use of the waste disposal device. An outer lid, optionally pivotally connected to the container, is movable between a position in which the waste-receiving chamber is accessible and a position in which the waste-receiving chamber is covered. A retention mechanism holds the waste package while a rotation mechanism causes rotation of the retention mechanism relative to the insert to cause a twist to be formed above a waste package when held by the retention mechanism and thereby encapsulate the waste package in the tubing.

Claims

1. A waste disposal device, comprising:

a container defining a waste chamber;

a first lid coupled to said container and movable between an open position in which said chamber is accessible and a closed position in which said chamber is covered;

an insert arranged in said container and defining a cavity adapted to contain a pack of flexible tubing, said insert having an open top leading to said cavity through which the tubing is insertable into said cavity;

a second lid movable between a first, closed position covering said open top and a second, open position in which said open top of said insert is exposed to enable insertion of a pack of flexible tubing into said cavity, said second lid and said insert defining a dispensing opening through which the tubing is passable during use of the waste disposal device;

a retention mechanism for holding a waste package in the chamber; and

a rotation mechanism for rotating said retention mechanism relative to said insert in order to twist the tubing and encapsulate a waste package when placed in said chamber.

2. The waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein said second lid is pivotally connected to said container.

3. The waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein said second lid is removable from said container.

4. The waste disposal device of claim 1, further comprising locking means for locking said second lid in said first position.

5. The waste disposal device of claim 4, wherein said locking means comprise a tab formed on said container and a rotatable locking member arranged on said second lid, said locking member being rotatable between a position in which an aperture thereof aligns with said tab thereby enabling said second lid to be opened and a position in which a solid portion of said locking member aligns with said tab thereby preventing said second lid from being opened.

6. The waste disposal device of claim 5, wherein said locking member includes a planar portion and at least one projection projecting upward from said planar portion and adapted to be manually grasped to enable rotation of said locking member and said second lid to be pulled upward.

7. The waste disposal device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism for holding said insert stationary during rotation of said retention mechanism.

8. The waste disposal device of claim 7, wherein said anti-rotation mechanism includes a flange formed on said insert and having a slit therein and a tab formed on said container and accommodated in said slit to thereby prevent rotation of said insert.

9. The waste disposal device of claim 1, further comprising a support mechanism arranged in connection with said container for supporting said insert.

10. The waste disposal device of claim 9, wherein said support mechanism comprises support flanges extending inward from an inner surface of said container and arranged around a circumference of said container.

11. The waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism supports said insert.

12. The waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein said insert includes a substantially cylindrical inner wall, an annular lower wall, a substantially circular outer wall and an annular flange extending outward from an upper edge of said outer wall, said inner wall, said lower wall and said outer wall defining said cavity.

13. The waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a gear rim and a frame attached to said gear rim and including a plurality of resilient springs adapted to engage with the waste package, said rotation mechanism engaging with said gear rim.

14. The waste disposal device of claim 13, wherein said rotation mechanism further comprises an elongate rack gear attached to said first lid and a gear assembly engaging with said rack gear and said gear rim for converting movement of said first lid to rotational movement of said gear rim and thus said retention mechanism.

15. The waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism comprises an outer wall, a horizontal lower wall arranged at a lower edge of said outer wall, vertical walls defining a waste insertion chamber and springs attached to at least some of said vertical walls.

16. The waste disposal device of claim 15, wherein said lower wall includes apertures extending around a circumference thereof, said rotation mechanism including a drive gear engaging with said apertures on said lower wall.

17. A waste disposal device, comprising:

a container defining a waste chamber;

a first lid coupled to said container and movable between an open position in which said chamber is accessible and a closed position in which said chamber is covered;

an insert arranged in said container and having an open cavity adapted to contain a pack of flexible tubing;

a second lid movable relative to said insert to selectively substantially cover or expose said cavity, said second lid and said insert defining a dispensing opening therebetween through which the tubing passes during use of the waste disposal device;

a retention mechanism for holding a waste package in the chamber; and

a rotation mechanism for rotating said retention mechanism relative to said insert in order to twist the tubing and encapsulate a waste package when placed in said chamber.

18. The waste disposal device of claim 17, wherein said second lid is pivotally connected to said container.

19. The waste disposal device of claim 17, further comprising locking means for locking said second lid in said first position.

20. The waste disposal device of claim 19, wherein said locking means comprise a tab formed on said container and a rotatable locking member arranged on said second lid, said locking member being rotatable between a position in which an aperture thereof aligns with said tab thereby enabling said second lid to be opened and a position in which a solid portion of said locking member aligns with said tab thereby preventing said second lid from being opened.

21. The waste disposal device of claim 17, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism for holding said insert stationary during rotation of said retention mechanism.

22. The waste disposal device of claim 21, wherein said anti-rotation mechanism includes a flange formed on said insert and having a slit therein and a tab formed on said container and accommodated in said slit to thereby prevent rotation of said insert.

23. The waste disposal device of claim 17, wherein said retention mechanism supports said insert.

24. The waste disposal device of claim 17, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a gear rim and a frame attached to said gear rim and including a plurality of resilient springs adapted to engage with the waste package, said rotation mechanism engaging with said gear rim.

25. The waste disposal device of claim 24, wherein said rotation mechanism further comprises an elongate rack gear attached to said first lid and a gear assembly engaging with said rack gear and said gear rim for converting movement of said first lid to rotational movement of said gear rim and thus said retention mechanism.

26. The waste disposal device of claim 17, wherein said retention mechanism comprises an outer wall, a horizontal lower wall arranged at a lower edge of said outer wall, vertical walls defining a waste insertion chamber and springs attached to at least some of said vertical walls, said lower wall including apertures extending around a circumference thereof, said rotation mechanism including a drive gear engaged with said apertures on said lower wall.

27. A pack of flexible tubing for a waste disposal device, comprising:

a tube of plastic accordion folded into a cylindrical form; and

adhesive means for bonding folds of said plastic tube together.

28. The pack of claim 27, wherein said adhesive means are arranged on an outer surface of said plastic tube and at a plurality of locations about a circumference of said plastic tube.

29. The pack of claim 28, wherein said adhesive means comprise strips of hot melt adhesive.

30. The pack of claim 28, wherein said adhesive means comprise strips of tape.

31. The pack of claim 27, wherein said plastic tube has a sealed front end.