SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPOSING WASTE PACKAGES SUCH AS DIAPERS

• US 20110100996A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Kevin D., Dunn, Steven B., Hatherill, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,343,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/495.01
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/20 using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/28 comprising synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the sub-groups B32B27/30 - B32B27/42
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/322 comprising halogenated polyolefins, e.g. PTFE
• 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

Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.

Claims

1. A diaper pail bag, comprising:

a flexible bag;

a frame attached to said flexible bag, said frame having a hinge defined therein; and

a reinforcing element for strengthening the attachment between the flexible bag and the frame at a location proximate to the hinge.

2. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing element comprises a plastic film that is secured to said frame at a location proximate to the hinge.

3. A diaper pail bag according to claim 2, wherein said plastic film is secured to said frame over at least a portion of said hinge.

4. A diaper pail bag according to claim 2, wherein said flexible bag is bonded to said plastic film.

5. A diaper pail bag according to claim 2, wherein said plastic film is fabricated from a same film material from which said flexible bag is fabricated.

6. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said frame has a lower surface, and wherein said flexible bag is bonded to said lower surface.

7. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag is pleated.

8. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag has a first diameter at a location proximate said frame and a second diameter at a location that is distal from said frame, and wherein said second diameter is greater than said first diameter.

9. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said frame is fabricated from a plastic material.

10. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag is sealed at an end thereof that is distal to said frame.

11. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag further comprises an integral primary seal portion bonded to said frame that is constructed and arranged to conform to a shape of said frame.

12. A diaper pail bag according to claim 11, wherein said primary seal portion is curved.

13. A diaper pail bag according to claim 11, wherein said flexible bag comprises two of said integral primary seal portions.

14. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag has an outer surface that is fabricated from a material comprising low-density polyethylene.

15. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag has an outer surface that is fabricated from a material comprising a slip agent.

16. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said frame has a central opening defined therein, and said central opening is sized to form a handle for a consumer when said frame is folded along said hinge.

17. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, further comprising locking structure for locking the frame in a closed, folded position.

18. A diaper pail bag according to claim 17, wherein said frame has a first portion on one side of the hinge and a second portion on an opposite side of the hinge, and wherein said locking structure comprises a male element on said first portion that is constructed and arranged to snap into a female element on the second portion when said frame is folded about said hinge.

19. A diaper pail bag according to claim 18, wherein said male element and said female element are curved.

20. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag is substantially liquid impervious.

21. A diaper pail bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag is constructed and arranged to prevent odor transmission therethrough.

22. A diaper pail bag, comprising:

a flexible bag;

a frame attached to said flexible bag, said frame having a hinge defined therein;

wherein said frame has a lower surface, and wherein said flexible bag is bonded to said lower surface.

23. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag is substantially liquid impervious.

24. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag is constructed and arranged to prevent odor transmission therethrough.

25. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag is pleated.

26. A diaper pail bag according to claim 25, wherein said flexible bag is pleated at a point of attachment to said frame.

27. A diaper pail bag according to claim 25, wherein a pleated portion of said flexible bag comprises at least two folds, said folds extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said flexible bag.

28. A diaper pail bag according to claim 25, wherein said flexible bag is bonded to said lower surface in such a manner that at least three plies of said flexible bag are layered at at least one location.

29. A diaper pail bag according to claim 25, wherein said flexible bag comprises at least two pleats.

30. A diaper pail bag according to claim 29, wherein said flexible bag comprises at least four pleats.

31. A diaper pail bag according to claim 30, wherein said flexible bag comprises at least six pleats.

32. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag has a first diameter at a location proximate said frame and a second diameter at a location that is distal from said frame, and wherein said second diameter is greater than said first diameter.

33. A diaper pail bag according to claim 32, wherein said first diameter is within a range of about 5 cm to about 25 cm.

34. A diaper pail bag according to claim 33, wherein said first diameter is within a range of about 7.5 cm to about 20 cm.

35. A diaper pail bag according to claim 34, wherein said first diameter is within a range of about 8.5 cm to about 15 cm.

36. A diaper pail bag according to claim 32, wherein said second diameter is within a range of about 9 cm to about 40 cm.

37. A diaper pail bag according to claim 36, wherein said second diameter is within a range of about 13 cm to about 30 cm.

38. A diaper pail bag according to claim 37, wherein said second diameter is within a range of about 15 cm to about 25 cm.

39. A diaper pail bag according to claim 32, wherein a ratio of said first diameter to said second diameter is within a range of about 0.2 to about 0.9.

40. A diaper pail bag according to claim 39, wherein said ratio of said first diameter to said second diameter is within a range of about 0.4 to about 0.75.

41. A diaper pail bag according to claim 40, wherein said ratio of said first diameter to said second diameter is within a range of about 0.5 to about 0.7.

42. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said frame is fabricated from a plastic material.

43. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag is sealed at an end thereof that is distal to said frame.

44. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag further comprises an integral primary seal portion bonded to said frame that is constructed and arranged to conform to a shape of said frame.

45. A diaper pail bag according to claim 44, wherein said primary seal portion is curved.

46. A diaper pail bag according to claim 44, wherein said flexible bag comprises two of said integral primary seal portions.

47. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag has an outer surface that is fabricated from a material comprising low-density polyethylene.

48. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said flexible bag as an outer surface that is fabricated from a material comprising a slip agent.

49. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, wherein said frame has a central opening defined therein, and said central opening is sized to form a handle for a consumer when said frame is folded along said hinge.

50. A diaper pail bag according to claim 22, further comprising locking structure for locking the frame in a closed, folded position.

51. A diaper pail bag according to claim 50, wherein said frame has a first portion on one side of the hinge and a second portion on an opposite side of the hinge, and wherein said locking structure comprises a male element on said first portion that is constructed and arranged to snap into a female element on the second portion when said frame is folded about said hinge.

52. A diaper pail bag according to claim 51, wherein said male element and said female element are curved.