Patent Application
20090154842
Waste disposal bins are common in most commercial and residential environments that people encounter on a daily basis. They can be found in office buildings, retail spaces, public restrooms, and in the bathrooms, kitchens and offices of most homes. To keep such reusable bins clean, and to aid in the ultimate disposal of the waste contained by such bins, it is a common practice to place a trash bag or liner in the bin. When the bag or liner is filled with waste, it is removed, and a new bag or liner is placed in the bin. However, the use of such waste bags or liners often present problems that can defeat the purpose of their use.
If such a bag is not placed properly in the bin, or if the bag becomes dislodged in use, waste can end up in the bin rather than in the bag. For example, sanitary napkin disposal bins commonly used in public restroom facilities use paper, wax-coated paper, cellophane or plastic bags which are loosely placed in the bins. Plastic bags, even when placed over the upper edge of the bin, often slip down into the bin when the bag becomes filled. Paper and/or cellophane bags frequently collapse or fold inward, allowing sanitary products and other waste to fall between the bag and a wall of the bin, thereby soiling the bin.
With such a bag failure, maintenance staff must remove the bag and any sanitary products, or other refuse, which may have fallen between the bag and the wall of the bin. Further, maintenance personnel must then clean the bin before placing a new bag in the bin, so that the bin does not become malodorous. Bag removal and bin cleaning are hazardous activities for maintenance personnel, who must carefully handle sanitary products and other refuse contaminated with body fluids and the like.
With the removal of each full bag, another empty bag must be secured in place prior to the disposal bin being ready to receive more disposed sanitary products and other waste. Each time a new bag is placed in the bin is another instance when the bag may be placed improperly. In addition to the increased probability of incorrect bag installation, placing a new bag in the bin is an extra step for the maintenance personnel to perform. This extra step incrementally increases the time that maintenance personnel take in servicing facility.
Such problems also exist for other waste disposal systems. The problems discussed for sanitary disposal units are also experienced in other commercial and residential settings. Just as custodial staff have issues with liners and bags collapsing in sanitary disposal units, similar problems occur with liners and bags slipping down inside of bathroom refuse bins, office paper bins, and the like. Similarly, consumers have problems with trash bags slipping off of the waste bins in the kitchen, home, office or bathroom such that refuse falls between the liner bag and the interior walls of the bin.
As used herein, the term “waste” refers to something that is discarded as worthless, useless, or used up. It is generally directed to rubbish, trash, garbage, and may include, among other things, discarded sanitary products, kitchen waste, office waste, bathroom waste, household waste, yard and garden debris, and the like. The term “waste” may be used interchangeably with the term “refuse.”
As used herein, the term “sanitary products” includes, but is not limited to, feminine napkins, tampons, colostomy bags, ileostomy bags, male incontinence pads, baby diapers, disposable training pants for children, adult incontinence products including pads, disposable underwear, and so forth.
As used herein, the term “fasteners” refers to devices that fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, snap-fits, tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking male/female connectors, such as fishhook connectors.
As used herein, the term “couple” includes, but is not limited to, joining, connecting, fastening, linking, or associating two things integrally or interstitially together.
As used herein, the term “configure” or “configuration” means to design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses. For example: a military vehicle that was configured for rough terrain; one may configure a computer by setting the system's parameters.
As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to something which is done to a great extent or degree; for example, “substantially covered” means that a thing is at least 95% covered.
As used herein, the term “alignment” refers to the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines.
As user herein, the terms “orientation” or “position” used interchangeably herein refer to the spatial property of a place where or way in which something is situated; for example, “the position of the hands on the clock.”
As used herein, the term “waste disposal bin” refers to a unit provided in a commercial or residential setting which is configured to receive waste. Such waste disposal bins include, disposal units such as sanitary disposal units, residential bathroom waste bins, residential kitchen refuse bins, commercial office waste bins, garbage cans, and the like.
As used herein, the term “sanitary disposal unit” refers to a unit provided on or in a wall or other structure of a public restroom, which is configured to receive sanitary products.
These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification.
In light of the problems and issues discussed above, it is desired to have an improved disposal bag system for disposing of waste. Such a system would desirably be configured so that the disposal bag(s) did not slip down into the bin, resulting in waste being deposited between the bag(s) and the wall of the bin. Desirably, such a system would provide a structure to hold bags in place within the bin. Furthermore, it would be desirable that such a system provide a new empty disposal bag upon removal of a used disposal bag. Further, it would be desired that such a disposal bag system provide the user with additional functionalities to enhance the shipping and storage of the system, enhance the operation of the system, and improve the system in use.
The present disclosure is directed to a disposal bag support system. The system includes a disposable tubular frame and a plurality of bags coupled to the frame. The frame is made of a plurality of panels that define an interior space and that is open on both ends. Additionally, the frame is configured to hold one of the bags in an open position, making the bag ready to receive waste. In some embodiments, the plurality of bags are positioned within the interior space such that the bodies of the bags are protected by the panels of the frame. In some embodiments, the frame may be collapsible.
The present disclosure is also directed to a system for disposal of waste adapted for use within an existing waste disposal bin. The system includes a frame and a plurality of bags coupled to the frame. The frame has a flattened storage configuration and may be manipulated into an erected disposal configuration. In the flattened storage configuration, the bags may be positioned within an interior space of the frame such that the frame substantially protects the bags. In the erected disposal configuration, the frame is capable of holding one of the bags in an open position, making the bag ready to receive waste. Such a frame is adapted for use with an existing waste disposal bin. In its erected disposal configuration within the waste disposal bin, the frame prevents waste from falling between the frame and the interior walls of the bin.
Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example and embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention include these and other modifications and variations as coming within the scope and spirit of the invention.
The system of disposal of the present disclosure may be used for any waste disposal needs. For simplicity, the present disclosure discusses and illustrates the system in terms of the specific needs and application for use in sanitary product disposal and other specific waste disposal applications. However, such examples are not intended to be limiting. Such concepts are applicable to not only to the specific waste disposal applications discussed, but also to any waste disposal application that relies on refuse bags.
Referring to
The opening 54 of the first bag 51 of the plurality of bags 50, may be pulled over the first periphery 34 of the frame 20 to put the first bag 51 in its open position 60, as shown in
As illustrated in
Similarly, the frame 20 has a second open end 36 present at the lower end of the frame 20, opposite the first open end 32. The lower edges of the panels of the frame 20 define a second periphery 38 that circumscribes the second open end 36 of the frame 20. As discussed for the first periphery 34, the second periphery 38 may circumscribe the second open end 36 at a single vertical level, as shown in
For the frame 20 illustrated in
In the flattened storage configuration 12 of
The panels 22, 24, 26 may be separate panels that are joined along their edges such that the joint between panels makes up the lines of weakness 44. It is more preferred that the frame 20 be made from a single, contiguous sheet material that is folded into a tubular frame 20 structure. However, it is contemplated that a combination of such construction methods may be used to construct the frame 20 of the present disclosure.
The frame 20 of the system 10 may be adapted to fit within the waste disposal bin 80 with which the system 10 is to be used. That is, the frame 20 may be sized and shaped appropriately to fit the size and shape of a particular waste disposal bin 80. When properly fit within the waste disposal bin 80, the system 10 will prevent refuse from falling between the frame 20 and the interior side walls 82 of the waste disposal bin 80.
As shown in
The frame 20 may be of a size and shape to fit within a waste disposal bin 80; it may be small enough to replace the bin in a sanitary disposal unit; it may be large enough to replace a trash bin in a home or a commercial setting; it may be large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris; or the support may be any other size adequate for the specific intended use. Such a frame 20 may be configured, sized and shaped to work with an existing waste disposal bin 80 or possibly replace such a waste disposal bin 80.
The frame 20 may also be configured to conform to the interior walls 82 of a particular waste disposal bin 80. Such conformation may simply be accomplished by matching the width of frame panels and placement of lines of weakness 44 to the appropriate dimensions and shape of a particular bin 80.
Alternatively, or in addition, such conformation include a frame 20 configuration, as shown in
The biased configuration of the frame 20 may be accomplished through a particular configuration of panels, placement of lines of weakness 44, types of lines of weakness 44, or combinations thereof. Such a configuration may also include the use of frame materials, such as some plastics, that would naturally conform to the general shape of an existing waste disposal bin 80. One skilled in the art would understand how such construction variables may be easily configured in various ways to provide such a frame 20 that would conform to an existing waste disposal bin 80.
The plurality of panels form the tubular structure of the frame 20, with a first open end 32, an second open end 36, and an interior space 30 between the opposing open ends 32, 36. The frame 20 may be designed such that when in its flattened storage configuration 12 the interior space 30 of the frame 20 is just large enough to store and protect the plurality of bags 50. This is shown in perspective view of
Such a design also allows the frame 20 to protect the plurality of bags 50 from any potential damage during shipping or storage. The plurality of bags 50 may be coupled to the frame 20 on the interior or exterior surface of the frame 20. The frame 20 illustrated in
For the frame 20 shown in
When the frame 20 is in its erected disposal configuration 14 the volume of the interior 30 increases to accommodate the first bag 51 of the plurality 50 so that it may receive a full measure of waste before being removed from the system 10.
Additionally, the frame 20 may include additional features that aid in its operation. First, to aid in insertion of the frame 20 into a waste disposal bin 80 and to help the frame 20 retain its erected disposal configuration 14, the frame 20 may be tapered from the first open end 32 down to the second open end 36. In such a frame 20, the second periphery 38 would be smaller than the first periphery 34; the first area defined by the first periphery 34 would be greater than the second area defined by the second periphery 38.
Secondly, the frame 20 may include a frame extension 46 to help couple the opening 54 of an individual bag 51 to the first periphery 34 and hold the bag 51 in its open position 60 during the disposal of waste. As shown in
Such a frame extension 46 may rise up along first periphery 34 higher than the rest of the periphery 34 or, as shown in
Additionally, the bags 50 may be designed to take advantage of such frame extensions 46. For example, the bags 50 may include a downward-facing pocket 56 near the opening 54 of each bag. Such a pocket 56 may then be configured to snugly fit upon the frame extension 46 to keep the bag 51 in a open position 60 during waste disposal.
Thirdly, the frame 20 may include additional features that assist in holding a bag 51 in the open position 60 on the frame 20 while the system 10 is in use. One such feature may be the inclusion of one or more notches 48, close to the first open end 32. For example, in the frame 20 of
The frame 20 may be made from any material that is appropriate to couple with and support the plurality of bags 50 of the system 10. It is intended that the frame 20 will be disposable and that the materials used to make the frame 20 will be appropriate for such disposal. Typically, the frame 20 will be made from corrugate, heavy paper cardstock or plastic, however, the frame 20 may be made from any material that will support the plurality of bags 50.
As used herein, the term “disposable” refers to frames 20 that are so relatively inexpensive to the consumer that they may be discarded if they become soiled or otherwise unusable after only one or a few uses. It is intended that the frame 20 will be disposed when all of the bags 50 have been utilized and removed from the frame 20. However, the frame 20 may be made to accept refill sets of bags such that a single frame 20 may be used for multiple sets of bag bundles 50. For such a refillable frame 20, the frame 20 would still be made of materials that would be economical for a user to dispose of the frame 20, rather than clean it or repair it, if it became soiled or needed repair.
The bags 50 are coupled to the frame 20 and are individually removable when filled. Bags 50 are coupled to the frame 20 by any means as is known in the art to attach bags 50 to the frame 20. For example, the bags 50 may be adhered to each other and the last bag adhered to the frame 20. As another example, the bags 50 may be thermally sealed to the frame 20. Alternatively, the bags 50 may be attached to the frame 20 by fasteners 64, such as shown in
Additionally, it may be desired to couple the bags 50 to the frame 20 so that the bags 50 are easily and individually releasable from the plurality 50 once the individual bag 51 is filled with refuse. The bags 50 may have perforations 62, as shown in
The bags 50 may be made of any material that is appropriate for the application and the waste that is typically to be disposed of in such bags. Typically such bags or waste receptacle liners are made from plastics such as polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other similar materials. The bags 50 may be made of a single ply of material or may be made from multiple plies of similar or dissimilar materials. Additionally, the bags 50 may be made from composites of films, nonwoven materials, woven materials, or combinations thereof. The bags 50 may incorporate elastic materials. The bags 50 may be puncture resistant. Different materials, substrate weights and thicknesses, elasticity, composite materials, and the like may be used in various combinations to provide the end user with a bag having the desired strength, flexibility, weight, puncture resistance, or other desired attributes.
The bags 50 may be attached to the frame 20 in a nested configuration. Such a nested configuration refers to the bags being situated such that all but an outermost bag is fitted inside another of the plurality of bags 50. Furthermore, the plurality of bags 50 would then be held in an open position 60 such that the innermost bag would be exposed at the first open end 32 of the system 10. Subsequent bag(s) would be sequentially fitted around the innermost bag in a nested configuration. When the innermost bag is filled with waste, the bag is removed from the frame 20 and the subsequent bag is then available for use as it is held open by the frame 20. All of the bags of the plurality of bags 50 may be the same type of bags or different types of bags may be present within the plurality.
The number of bags 50 used along with a particular system 10 is dependant on the desired use of such a system 10 and is a function of the particular use, convenience and design choice. For example, the number of bags for a particular system 10 may be the number of bags commonly removed during normal custodial intervals. If custodial staff empties a waste receptacle unit twice a day during a work week, it may be desired that the assemblies be equipped with ten bags. One skilled in the art would see that any number of bags may be effectively used in the systems 10 of the present invention and would understand the balance between having enough bags to gain the efficiency of not having to replace bags with every disposal of a bag and having so many bags that the space for refuse is unacceptably limited.
Additional functionality could be added with an odor control functionality that is provided by the bags 50. Odor sorbing material could be disposed on the surface of the bags 50, within each of the bags 50, or within the bag substrate. For example, a sheet of cardboard or paperboard may be treated with an odor sorbing material and included in or on the bags 50. Such a sheet of paperboard may be treated with an odor sorbing material such as activated carbon.
In same manner as discussed above for the bags 50, odor control functionality may additionally, or alternatively, be provided by the frame 20. Such frame odor control functionality may be incorporated into the substrate of the frame 20, be included on the surface of the frame 20, or otherwise provided by the frame 20 of the present invention.
In various embodiments, additional functionalities may be added to the bags 50, the frame 20, or to both. For example the bags 50 or the frame 20 may have an anti-viral or anti-bacterial treatment associated within or on the bags 50 or frame 20. Such treatments may help reduce the bacteria or virus levels within the system 10.
Another possible functionality for the bags of the present invention is the incorporation of superabsorbent materials into the bags. Such superabsorbents could be added as a substrate to the bags or may be incorporated into the walls of the bags so to absorb any free liquid that may be present in the bags.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples and discussion, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.
