Method of inserting and storing waste for disposal

• US 8,127,519 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Inventors: Stravitz, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DESAI, HEMANT
• Application Number:
  US12/172,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20100006712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 531/18, 531/383, 531/388, 533/70, 534/83, 535/23, 535/26, 535/27, 535/67, 535/76, 535/77, 535/87, 220/495.08, 220/495.06, 220/495.05, 220/495.07, 220/908, 220/252, 220/810, 220/908.1, 220/255
• US Class Current: 53/469
• 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

Support member for use in a waste disposal device includes a frame and a length of tubing having a closed or closeable front end and a rear end. The rear end of the tubing is fixed or otherwise attached to the frame. The tubing has a wider cross-sectional area at a portion proximate the front end than at a portion fixed to the frame. The frame and the tubing may be designed for a single use.

Claims

1. A method of storing waste for disposal, comprising steps of:

providing a bag assembly that includes a frame and a single use bag attached to the frame;

mounting the bag assembly to a waste disposal unit having a twisting assembly coupled to a resilient member that is engaged with a portion of the single use bag;

actuating rotation of the twisting assembly to cause the engaged resilient member to twist the portion of the single use bag closed; and

inserting waste into the single use bag by pushing the waste through the resilient member and the twisted portion of the single use bag while the portion of the single use bag is in a twisted position.

2. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 1, wherein the step of mounting the bag assembly to the waste disposal unit is performed by mounting the frame to the waste disposal unit so that the frame will not rotate with respect to the waste disposal unit.

3. A method of waste for disposal according to claim 2, wherein the step of mounting the frame to the waste disposal unit is performed so that the frame will not move with respect to an outer housing of the waste disposal unit.

4. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 1, wherein the step of twisting a portion of the single use bag is performed using the resilient member that engages an outer surface of the single use bag.

5. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 4, wherein the resilient member includes a plurality of resilient finger members.

6. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 1, wherein the step of twisting a portion of the single use bag is performed using a twisting member defining an aperture through which the single use bag passes while the twisting member engages with the single use bag.

7. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 1, wherein the single use bag has a length of about 22 to about 36 inches.

8. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 1, wherein the single use bag has a wider cross-sectional dimension at a portion proximate a front end that is distal from the frame than at a portion that is fixed to the frame.

9. A method of storing waste for disposal, comprising steps of:

providing a bag having a closed front end, an open end and an intermediate portion between the open and closed ends;

mounting the bag to a waste disposal unit, having a twisting assembly coupled to a resilient member that is engaged with intermediate portion of the bag, so that the open end of the bag is substantially prevented from rotating with respect to the waste disposal unit;

actuating rotation of the twisting assembly to cause the engaged resilient member to twist the intermediate portion of the bag; and

inserting waste into the bag by inserting it through the open end, the resilient member, and through the twisted intermediate portion while the intermediate portion is in a twisted position.

10. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the step of mounting the bag assembly to the waste disposal unit is performed by mounting a frame that is attached to the open end to the waste disposal unit so that the frame will not rotate with respect to the waste disposal unit.

11. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 10, wherein the step of mounting the frame to the waste disposal unit is performed so that the frame will not move with respect to an outer housing of the waste disposal unit.

12. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the bag is a single use bag.

13. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the step of twisting the intermediate portion of the bag is performed using the resilient member that engages an outer surface of the bag.

14. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 13, wherein the resilient member includes a plurality of resilient finger members.

15. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the step of inserting waste into the bag by inserting it through the open end and through the twisted intermediate portion is performed while the resilient member is engaged with the intermediate portion of the bag.

16. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the step of twisting the intermediate portion of the bag is performed using a twisting member defining an aperture through which the bag passes while the twisting member engages with the bag.

17. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the step of twisting the intermediate portion of the bag is performed to a degree that is sufficient to substantially seal odors within a lower portion of the bag.

18. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the single use bag has a length of about 22 to about 36 inches.

19. A method of storing waste for disposal according to claim 9, wherein the single use bag has a wider cross-sectional dimension at a portion proximate a front end that is distal from the frame than at a portion that is fixed to the frame.