Patent Grant
10836573
The present disclosure relates to waste disposal devices and film-dispensing cassettes for use in the same.
Waste disposal devices that include a cassette are commonly used to store odorous waste, such as diapers and litter. In such waste disposal devices, the cassettes are supported at an opening of a bin and dispense a tubular film projecting into the inner cavity of the bin of the waste disposal devices. The free end of the tubular film can be closed to define a bag-like structure. Often, the waste disposal devices includes an internal mechanism that closes the bag shut (e.g., by clamping, twisting, etc.), thereby isolating the waste in the bag below the internal mechanism, and capturing the odors in the bag.
Waste disposal devices are often located in rooms where space is limited. Consequently, it would be useful to provide a waste disposal device that contain as much or more waste material than most prior art devices, and one that utilizes a compact configuration designed to efficiently utilize floor space.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a compact waste disposal system is provided. The compact waste disposal system has a waste disposal device and a cassette for receiving waste. The waste disposal device has a first side wall, and a second side wall, where the first side wall and the second side wall are configured to have an included angle β therebetween in the range of about sixty (60) to about one-hundred and twenty (120) degrees. The waste disposal device has a front wall, extending between and connected to the two side wall. The waste disposal device can be said to have a cross-sectional geometry that is generally triangular, a Reuleaux triangle, a conic section (i.e. a slice of a conic), a frusto-conic section, or combinations thereof, in shape.
The cassette can have a similar cross-sectional geometry as the waste disposal device. The cassette has a first side edge, and a second side edge, where the first side edge and the second side edge are configured to have an included angle β therebetween in the range of sixty (60) to about one-hundred and twenty (120) degrees. The cassette has a front edge, extending between and connected to the two side edges. The cassette can be said to have a cross-sectional geometry (in the XY plane) that is generally triangular, a Reuleaux triangle, a conic section, a frusto-conic section, or combinations thereof, in shape. The cassette also provides a length of generally tubular liner film having, during use, an open end for receiving waste and a closed end for storing waste. The cassette defines a central passage through which the liner film passes such that waste can be stored within the film (within the waste disposal device).
The cassette may have one or more walls extending from any edge such that surfaces are defined. In some of these embodiments, the first side edge defines a first side wall extending generally downward, the second side edge defines a second side wall extending generally downward, and the front edge defines a front wall extending generally downward. The first side wall, the second side wall, and the front side wall further define the central passage.
In other embodiments the first side edge, the second side edge and the front edge define an outer edge of the cassette. In some of these embodiments, the first side edge defines a first side wall extending generally downward, the second side edge defines a second side wall extending generally downward, and the front edge defines a front wall extending generally downward, wherein said first side wall, said second side wall, and said front wall further define an outer wall of the cassette.
Optionally, the liner film has an open end that is attached to said cassette. The liner film can have a second end that is open and requires mechanical or other closure (e.g., knot, heat, chemical or adhesive seal, tie-off, or the like) or is manufactured to have a sealed second end.
In further embodiments, the waste disposal device has a first front wall having a first wall portion and a second wall portion defining a second included angle α therebetween in the range of about ninety (90) to about one-hundred and fifty (150) degrees. Similarly, a cassette has a front edge having a first edge portion and a second edge portion such that said first edge portion and said second edge portion have a second included angle therebetween in the range of about ninety (90) to about one-hundred and fifty (150) degrees. In these embodiments, the waste disposal device and/or cassette can be generally a quadrilateral, and in some embodiments, it is a parallelogram, a diamond, a rhombus, or a perfect rhombus (i.e., equal interior angles). The front edge can define a front side wall extending generally downward.
In yet further embodiments, the cassette has an inner wall, an outer wall, having a first outer wall segment and second outer wall segment, and a base wall generally extending between the inner wall and the outer wall to form a generally U-shaped liner cavity. A length of generally tubular liner film is at least partially contained within the liner cavity (prior to use and even during use, until the film is exhausted). In some embodiments, a lid at least partially containing the liner film within the liner cavity. The lid has a top exterior surface and a bottom interior surface opposite said top exterior surface, said lid.
The present disclosure is described herein in terms of aspects and embodiments of those aspects that include elements or features that may be included with the aspects. The identified embodiments may be included with the aspect of the invention singularly or in combination with any of the other identified embodiments as will be described herein below in the Detailed Description. The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the detailed description of the invention provided below, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
The waste disposal device 20 includes a housing 24 and a lid 26. To facilitate the description herein, the waste disposal device 20 is described herein as having a width that extends along an X-axis, a depth that extends along a Y-axis, and a height that extends along a Z-axis; where X, Y, and Z are orthogonal axes (e.g., see
The housing 24 of the present compact waste disposal device 20 embodiments each have a first side panel 28, a second side panel 30, a front panel 32, and a base panel 34. The housing 24 is configured to facilitate placement of the unit in a corner of a room, with the front panel 32 generally facing toward the interior of the room and each side panel 28, 30 extending generally parallel to a respective room walls that forms the corner of the room (e.g., most room corners are right angle corners). In some embodiments, the housing 24 of the present compact waste disposal device 20 accommodates non-right angle corners caused by walls, molding, and another wall or object (i.e. a changing table, a crib, a chest or dresser, etc. . . . ). Housing 24 accommodates such non-right angle corners due to its shape an enables access to, for instance a shelf, a drawer, a wall outlet, switch, etc. . . . that causes a non-right angle corner. For example, if the housing 24 is placed in the corner of a square shaped room, the front panel 32 faces the center of the room, and each side panel 28, 30 extends generally parallel to a respective room wall that forms a portion of the room corner. The included angle “β” extending between the housing side panels 28, 30 is within the range of sixty to one-hundred and twenty degrees (60-120°). In further embodiments, β is within the range of about sixty degrees to one-hundred and five degrees (60-105°). In yet further embodiments, β is within the range of about seventy-five degrees to about ninety degrees (75-90°). The aforesaid housing 24 configuration provides a compact configuration that efficiently uses floor space within a room.
Now referring to
In the embodiments shown in
In the embodiments shown in
The front panel 32 may assume a variety of different configurations. The housing 24 embodiments diagrammatically shown in
In some embodiments, opening 25 can be enlarged by reflecting opening 25 (and/or the housing 24 and cassette 22) about axis 47 extending along front panel 32 to form a quadrilateral shape. Where it is an exact reflection, there is symmetry about an axis extending along front panel 32. In other embodiments, there may be symmetry running along axis 45. Axes 45, 47 can be defined with respect to panels or edges defining the waste disposal device 24, opening 25, the lid 26, the cassette 22 outer edge 69, the central passage 62, etc. . . . . It is further noted that any of the waste disposal device 24, opening 25, the lid 26, the cassette 22 outer edge 69, the central passage 62, etc. . . . can be similar or congruent shapes, or can be different shapes.
The housing 24 embodiment diagrammatically shown in
The housing 24 may include a top panel 44 that engages the side panels 28, 30 and the front panel 32 (and aft panel 38 as applicable). As will be explained below, the top panel 44 may be configured to receive a film dispensing cassette 22 and configured to mate with a lid 26.
The components of the housing 24 (e.g., side panels 28, 30, front panel 32) may be independent components fastened together as indicated above, or two or more of the components may be fabricated as unitary structures; e.g., the side panels 28, 30 may be a unitary component and the front panel 32 attached, or the side panels 28, 30 and front panel 32 may be formed (e.g., by a molding process such as injection molding, blow molding, casting, rotomolding, thermoforming) as a unitary component. The present waste disposal device 20 is not limited to any particular process of manufacture or configuration.
The lid 26 of the present waste disposal device 20 is typically configured to generally complement the shape of the housing 24. The lid 26 generally covers waste disposal device 20 opening 25 which is sized to receive waste to be inserted and stored within housing 24. In some embodiments, the lid 26 includes side edges 46, 48 extending between an aft portion 50 and a forward edge 52 (e.g., see
The lid 26 may be connected to a side 28 or 30 of the waste disposal device 22 as opposed to at the aft portion 50, such that the waste disposal device 22 opens right-handed or left-handed. This is advantageous for waste disposal devices 22 that are likely to be situated in the corner of a room such that the lid 26 can freely swing upward from the top of the waste disposal device 22 (where the lid 26 is connected to the waste disposal device 22) a full ninety (90) degrees (and potentially greater than ninety (90) degrees, depending on the hinge location connecting the lid 26 to the waste disposal device, with respect to the wall (or any other object situated adjacent the waste disposal device 22). This is in contrast to lids hinged by the intersection of side panels 28, 30 which may have a reduced level of opening as the edges 46, 48, 52 and/or the top surface of the lid 26 may ultimately coincide with the walls of the room. In other embodiments where pails are a four sided polygon (i.e. having a shape similar to a frusto-conic section), the aft panel 38 increases the radius of the lid without attaching the lid 26 to one of side panels 28, 30. The lid 26 is not limited to any particular configuration.
The front panel 32 of the waste disposal device 20 may include a door 54 (e.g., see
In some embodiments the lid 26 is connected to a foot pedal 56; e.g., disposed in the front panel 32. Depressing the foot pedal 56 operates a linkage (not shown) that causes the lid 26 to pivot open and thereby provide access to the inner storage region 36 of the waste disposal device 20. In some waste disposal devices 20, depressing the foot pedal 56 also causes a mechanism within the waste-disposal unit (e.g., a liner clamping assembly) to move to an “open position” where it permits deposit of waste within a liner below the opening 25. When the foot pedal 56 is released, the lid 26 closes automatically and the mechanism returns to its normally closed position. In the closed position, the mechanism clamps (or otherwise closes) the liner (e.g., to mitigate odor emanation).
Embodiments of the present waste disposal device 20 are configured to include a film cassette 22. The cassette 22 may be inserted and removed from the housing 24 vertically below the lid 26; e.g., the housing top panel 44 is configured to mount the film cassette 22 within the housing 24. The exemplary embodiment shown in
Now referring to
In some embodiments, the cassette 22 has an outer wall edge 69. In some embodiments, outer wall edge 69 defines an outer wall 68. In some embodiments, liner cavity 58 is located inward of outer wall 68 and is defined by outer wall 68. The liner cavity 58 may assume a variety of configurations to hold the supply of liner film 60.
In some embodiments, the cassette 22 has an outer wall 68 and an inner wall 64 defining liner cavity 58. Inner wall 64 further defines central passage 62.
In the embodiment shown in
Alternatively, the cassette 22 has a length of liner 58 attachable to the cassette 22. In some embodiments, the liner 58 is attached to the cassette 22 such that the liner 58 extends into the central passage 62.
The inner wall 64, bottom wall 66, an outer wall 68 define a generally U-shaped cross-section having a liner cavity opening 70 that extends between a top surface edge 63 of the inner wall 64 and a top surface edge 69 of the outer wall 68. The cross-sectional shape of the liner cavity 58 may be consistent around the entire perimeter of the cassette 22 or it may vary in cross-sectional shape around the perimeter. In the embodiment shown in
In most embodiments, the geometry of the cassette 22 (and its central passage 62) corresponds to the geometry of the waste disposal device 20. For example, in the embodiment shown in
As indicated above, the side panels 28, 30 of the housing 24 are configured to have an included angle β extending between the side panels 28, 30 in the range of sixty to one-hundred and twenty degrees (60-120°) to facilitate the space saving aspect of the present waste disposal device 20 embodiments. The geometry of the cassettes 22 typically mirror the aforesaid geometry to maximize the cross-sectional area of the central passage 62 of the cassette 22 (e.g., the cassette embodiment shown in
In other embodiments, the cassette 22 outer edge 69 (or outer wall 68) defines a shape that is different than the central passage 62. For instance the outer edge 69 (or outer wall 68) may have a generally triangular shaped cross-sectional geometry while the central passage 62 has an arcuate cross-sectional geometry. In some embodiments, each edge or wall may have multiple panels, segments or facets (straight, arcuate or undulating) and may duly form a generally polygonal shape. Other shapes for either geometry are within the scope of the disclosure (i.e. square, squircle, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, etc. . . . ). Embodiments where the outer geometry defined by the outer edge 69 (or outer wall 68) is different from the geometry of the central passage 62 can be advantageous for providing liner film 60 and additional benefits such as odor-controlling strips, pouches, sachets, etc. . . . located in such excess space between the outer geometry and central passage 62 (e.g., the outer geometry is a conic and the inner geometry is a frusto-conic).
In other embodiments, the cassette 22 outer cross-sectional geometry defined by the outer edge 69 (or outer wall 68) differs from the geometry of the waste disposal device 20 to enable further waste disposal device 20 mechanics (i.e. the lid 26 engagement or other cassette 22/waste disposal device 20 engagement features) or enable additional benefits such as odor-controlling strips, pouches, sachets, etc. . . . to be placed onto or into the waste disposal device 20 (as opposed to incorporating into the cassette 22). For instance, the waste disposal device 20 may have a cross-sectional geometry of a rhombus, a diamond a kite, etc . . . , while the cassette 22 outer edge 69 (or outer wall 68) is triangular. Similarly, the geometry of the waste disposal device 20 can vary from the geometry of the central passage 62 as described throughout the present disclosure.
The liner film 60 is a film formed in a closed perimeter configuration that extends a length. The closed perimeter configuration is such that the liner 60 material has a continuous perimeter that extends lengthwise; e.g., the configuration may be described as “tubular”. The cross-sectional configuration of the liner film 60 (i.e., the cross-sectional perimeter shape) may vary depending on the particular configuration. The liner film 60 is comprised of a material that is flexible, capable of being stored within the liner cavity 58, capable of being readily drawn out of the liner cavity 58, and capable of being formed in a closed configuration (e.g., knotted) as will be described below. A flexible plastic film is an example of an acceptable liner film 60. The liner film can include one or more layers of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, EVA, EVOH, nylon, tie resin, and may further include additives such as carbon, calcium carbonate, talc, titanium dioxide, and slip agents. Embodiments of the liner film 60 may include agents that mask odor such as fragrance, mitigate odors including odor adsorbers and odor absorbers, etc.
As indicated above, the liner cavity 58 defines a cavity sized to hold the supply of liner film 60. The liner film 60 is stored within the liner cavity 58 in an orientation that allows incremental portions of the liner 60 to be drawn out of the liner cavity 58. In the embodiment shown in
The present cassette 22 can be removed and replaced from the waste disposal device 20 as needed. For example, in the waste disposal device embodiment shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/417,517, filed on Jan. 27, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/288,055, filed Jan. 28, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 15417517 | Jan 2017 | US |
| Child | 16205550 | US |
