Container for receiving multiple flexible bag assemblies

• US 9,994,393 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2015
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Inventors: Dunn, Steven Bryan, Hatherill, Mark A., Johnson, Kevin D., Saxton, Matthew Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett, J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEINERTH, GIDEON R
• Application Number:
  US14/967,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20160167874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 22049505, 22049508, 22049506, 22049509, 22049501, 53567, 221 46, 206303, 383 33, 383 34, 383 70
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/062 having means for storing or dispensing spare bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1615 with means for locking, fastening or permanently closing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/163 Pedal-operated lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/1669 relating to means for fixing or latching the lid or cover in a certain angle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/129 Deodorizing means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1675 by twisting, e.g. of a flexible tube
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2240/132 Diapers

Abstract

Containers are described which can accommodate a variety of flexible bag assemblies used for containing waste. Internal accommodating structures are designed to accommodate and secure various types of bag assemblies, including single bag assemblies and cassettes.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a housing having a waste chamber configured to receive a waste disposal unit, the waste chamber comprising;

protruding keys positioned in a base portion of the waste chamber;

a first stationary support member adapted to receive a bag of a flexible material attached to a frame, wherein the frame is releasably mounted to the housing and rotationally fixed with respect to the housing, and wherein the bag is a single-use bag and the frame of the single-use bag has a first inner edge and a second outer edge, wherein the first inner edge is disposed on top of the protruding keys and the second outer edge is disposed under tab clips to secure the single-use bag in place, wherein the tab clips are positioned within recesses on the first stationary member; and

a second stationary support member adapted to securely receive a cassette having a tubing of the flexible material packed therein;

a top lid attached to the housing through a lid hinge;

an internal lid attached to the housing through the lid hinge, and which provides access to the waste chamber;

the internal lid includes an open aperture with access to the waste chamber when the internal lid is closed; and

a rotatable member having a resilient opening through which a passage of the flexible material is provided, where in use the rotatable member twists a portion of the flexible material to seal the passage closed.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising recesses on the first stationary support member to accommodate specifically positioned tabs on a peripheral edge of the frame of a single-use bag.

3. The container of claim 2, further comprising tab clips positioned within the recesses to secure the tabs on the peripheral edge of the frame of the single-use bags.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising a receiving well with a depth such that the cassette can be received in its entirety within the receiving well.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the protruding keys are configured to mate with apertures located on an underside of the cassette to prevent the cassette from moving once placed into the waste chamber.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the top lid is openable upon pressing of a pedal in connection to the housing.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the pedal includes ribs on its underside which fully contact a ground surface upon complete pressing of the pedal and provide structural stability to the housing when the top lid is opened.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the top lid includes a deodorizing chamber for housing a deodorizer.

9. The container of claim 1, further comprising a transmission mechanism adapted to rotate the rotatable member.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the transmission mechanism is initiated by closing the top lid.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal lid is openable upon pressing of a latch in the housing.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the open aperture of the internal lid has a curved edge directed internally to the waste chamber, the curved edge contacts a portion of the cassette such that the cassette is securely positioned in place when the internal lid is closed.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the curved edge of the internal lid applies enough pressure to the cassette that the tubing of flexible material remains in place when waste material is inserted into the rotatable member.

14. A container, comprising:

a housing having a waste chamber configured to receive a waste disposal unit, the waste chamber comprising;

protruding keys positioned in a base portion of the waste chamber;

a first stationary support member adapted to receive a bag of a flexible material attached to a frame, wherein the frame is releasably mounted to the housing and rotationally secured with respect to the housing, and wherein the bag is a single-use bag and the frame of the single-use bag has a first inner edge and a second outer edge, wherein the first inner edge is disposed on top of the protruding keys and the second outer edge is disposed under tab clips to secure the single-use bag in place, wherein the tab clips are positioned within recesses on the first stationary member; and

a second stationary support member adapted to securely receive a cassette having a tubing of the flexible material packed therein;

a top lid attached to the housing through a lid hinge; and

an intermediate lid hingedly attached to the housing, and which provides access to the waste chamber;

the intermediate lid includes an open aperture with access to the waste chamber when the internal lid is closed.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the open aperture has a curved edge of the intermediate lid that applies enough pressure to the cassette such that the tubing of flexible material remains secured in place when waste material is inserted through the rotatable member.

16. The container of claim 14, further comprising a rotatable member having a resilient opening through which a passage of the flexible material is provided, where in use the rotatable member twists a portion of the flexible material to seal the passage closed.

17. A container, comprising:

a housing having a waste chamber configured to receive a waste disposal unit, the waste chamber comprising;

protruding keys positioned in a base portion of the waste chamber;

a first stationary support member adapted to receive a bag of a flexible material attached to a frame, wherein the frame is releasably mounted to the housing and rotationally secured with respect to the housing, and wherein the bag is a single-use bag and the frame of the single-use bag has a first inner edge and a second outer edge, wherein the first inner edge is disposed on top of the protruding keys and the second outer edge is disposed under tab clips to secure the single-use bag in place, wherein the tab clips are positioned within recesses on the first stationary member; and

a second stationary support member adapted to securely receive a cassette having a tubing of the flexible material packed therein; and

an intermediate lid hingedly attached to the housing, and which provides access to the waste chamber;

the intermediate lid includes an open aperture with access to the waste chamber when the internal lid is closed

wherein the open aperture has a concentric curved edge that applies sufficient pressure to the cassette and the tubing such that the tubing of flexible material remains secured in the cassette when waste material is inserted through the rotatable member.