Waste Disposal Devices

• US 20100005759A1
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Inventors: Stravitz, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,215,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/118
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 67/1277 for dispensing flexible tubular material gathered up in the shape of a ring
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/0006 Flexible refuse receptables, e.g. bags, sacks
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/062 having means for storing or dispensing spare bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1675 by twisting, e.g. of a flexible tube
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2240/132 Diapers

Abstract

Waste disposal device including a container defining a waste chamber for receiving waste, a support member arranged in the container for supporting tubing having a closed or closable front end to thereby enable formation of a bag in the container and a twisting assembly arranged in the container and defining an aperture through which the tubing passes while the twisting assembly engages with the tubing. A rotation mechanism is arranged in the container and when actuated, rotates the twisting assembly relative to the stationary support member while the twisting assembly engages with the tubing to thereby form a twist in the tubing.

Claims

1. A waste disposal device, comprising:

a container defining a waste chamber for receiving waste;

a stationary support member arranged in said container for supporting tubing having a closed or closable front end to thereby enable formation of a bag in said container;

a twisting assembly arranged in said container and defining an aperture through which the tubing passes while said twisting assembly engages with the tubing; and

a rotation mechanism for rotating said twisting assembly relative to said support member while said twisting assembly engages with the tubing to thereby form a twist in the tubing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said twisting assembly comprises a twisting member having a bottom wall for supporting said support member and a series of projections formed on an underside of said bottom support wall.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said rotation mechanism includes a drive gear in meshing engagement with said projections such that rotation of said drive gear results in rotation of said bottom support wall and thus said twisting member.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said twisting member further includes retention springs for securely retaining said grasping member in connection with said twisting member.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said retention springs extend around the entire circumference of said grasping member and engage with a circumferential surface of said grasping member.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said twisting member further comprises a tubular outer wall connected to said bottom wall and defining a cavity with said bottom wall, said supporting member being seated in said cavity while enabling rotation of said twisting member relative to said support member.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said twisting assembly includes a twisting member defining a cavity in which said support member is arranged.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said twisting assembly includes a grasping member defining said aperture and arranged to grasp the tubing passing through said aperture.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said grasping member is a membrane having a plurality of flexible and resilient fingers separated by slots.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a 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, said rotation mechanism being actuated upon movement of said lid from the open position to the closed position.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said rotation mechanism comprises a rack gear attached to said lid and a gear assembly engaging with said rack gear and said twisting assembly for converting the closing movement of said lid to rotational movement of said twisting assembly.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a mechanism for preventing rotation of said twisting assembly when said lid is moved to the open position.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism for converting the closing movement of said lid into actuation of said rotation mechanism.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said rotation mechanism comprises a drive gear engaged with said twisting assembly and a motor actuated by a pushbutton to cause said drive gear to rotate and thereby cause said twisting assembly to rotate.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation mechanism for holding said support member stationary during rotation of said twisting assembly.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises:

a frame; and

a length of tubing having a closed or closeable front end and a rear end, said rear end of said tubing being fixed to said frame, said tubing having a wider cross-sectional area at a portion proximate said front end than at a portion fixed to said frame.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said frame is formed entirely of cardboard.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein said frame is annular and includes aligning weakened portions on opposite sides, said weakened portions enabling said frame to be folded about said weakened portions and thereby form a handle for a bag formed from said tubing.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein said support member has a single use construction.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein said tubing has a length of about 24 to about 36 inches.