Spool for a waste storage device

• US 8,484,936 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2002
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sangenic International Ltd. (Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sangenic International Ltd. (Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tannock, Robert William
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, THANH K
• Application Number:
  US10/480,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20050016890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,052 Days
• Field of Search: 534/38, 534/59, 534/69, 535/67, 535/68, 535/75, 535/76, 535/51, 533/90
• US Class Current: 53/459
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 67/1277 for dispensing flexible tubular material gathered up in the shape of a ring
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/18 Devices for storing tubular webs
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/062 having means for storing or dispensing spare bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2240/132 Diapers

Abstract

A spool (10) for storing film for a waste storage device includes a core (12) and a flared funnel portion (14). Film is stored on the core (12) and can be retained in place by shrink-wrapping (34) as a result of which the core can be formed without an outer wall or base, reducing material and molding costs.

Claims

1. A waste storage device spool comprising a flared end and a non-flared portion, wherein:

the flared end comprises, as a one piece unit, a flared region extending outwardly to a terminating rim of the flared region, and an annular flange extending further outwardly from the terminating rim; and

the non-flared portion has a film loading end opposite the flared end; and

a tubular film loaded on the non-flared portion and abutting against the annular flange of the flared end.

2. A spool as claimed in claim 1 in which the flared end includes a funnel.

3. A spool as claimed in claim 1 in which the annular flange includes cut-out portions.

4. A spool as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a shrink-wrapping around the spool and tubular film.

5. A spool as claimed in claim 1 further including a spool housing comprising an outer wall arranged to receive the spool and a base arranged to support the spool.

6. A method of loading tubular film onto a waste storage device spool having a flared end and a non-flared portion, the flared end comprising, as a one piece unit, a flared region extending outwardly to a terminating rim of the flared region, and an annular flange extending further outwardly from the terminating rim, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting the spool with a film loading end opposite the flared end disposed towards a film dispenser; and

loading the tubular film onto the spool from the film dispenser onto the non-flared portion of the spool, in a direction towards the flared end, such that the loaded film abuts against the annular flange of the flared end.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of compressing the loaded film onto the spool.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of loading a compression ring against the loaded film.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of shrink-wrapping the loaded film and spool.