CN112105567A

CN112105567A - Waste container with bag disposal assembly

Info

Publication number: CN112105567A
Application number: CN201980019250.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 戴维·M·斯塔拉维兹
Original assignee: Dai WeiMSitalaweizi
Current assignee: Dai WeiMSitalaweizi
Priority date: 2018-03-16
Filing date: 2019-02-25
Publication date: 2020-12-18
Also published as: WO2019177763A1; JP2021517543A; EP3765387A1; CA3094196A1; EP3765387A4

Abstract

The container (10) includes a base (18) and an outer wall (12) defining an interior space in which a bag (16) may be housed. The bag handling assembly (26) is coupled to the wall (12) and includes a holder (28) connected to the wall (12), the bag support (44) being pivotably coupled to the holder (28) by cooperating hinge members (36) on the holder (28) and the bag support (44). The closure member (60) is pivotally coupled to the bag support (44) independently of the pivotal coupling of the bag support (44) to the retainer (28) by cooperating hinge members (58, 62) on the bag support (44) and closure member (60). The container (10) includes two separate and independent pivotal attachment mechanisms, one for securing the bag (16) between the closure member (60) and the bag support (44) and the other for better access to the interior of the container (10) for insertion and removal of the bag.

Description

Waste container with bag disposal assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to waste disposal devices that can be used with any type of waste and include structures that securely hold or clamp the bag so that the bag does not fall into a waste container when inserting the waste, including but not limited to cat litter, medical waste from hospitals, doctor's offices, home care personnel and facilities, nursing homes, biohazard laboratories, diapers, general household waste, disposables, and the like.

Background

Waste disposal devices are common in hospitals, doctor's offices, kitchens and other domestic locations, as well as other waste generating locations, and must be disposed of in a hygienic manner. Waste disposal devices are also often used to dispose of household waste, cat litter, and other pet waste. If the waste material emits an offensive odor, the waste treatment apparatus should also accommodate the offensive odor emitted from the waste material.

Some waste disposal devices include a dispenser that dispenses the conduit, and thus an internal annular flange, on which the tubular core or cartridge rests and houses a continuous length of flexible, substantially inelastic plastic tubing. A knot is made at one end and the continuous tube is pulled down to the bottom of the tub to form a bag for inserting diapers one after another until the bag is full. After filling, the top of the bag is cut with a built-in blade and then tied with a knot in the open for subsequent removal. This process is repeated again-knotting-filling the bag-removing the bag etc. When the length of the bag in the canister is used up, please replace the canister. The tanks are expensive and need to be replaced periodically.

Another type of disposal device utilizes a disposable bag closed at one end and welded at the open end to a collapsible plastic collection table. The collection table is securely placed in the tub when opened flat to accommodate diapers when filled. After filling, the plastic collection table is folded to seal the upper open area and form a handle for easy removal. These polypropylene living hinge collection tables are wasteful, expensive to produce, and require welding or gluing them to the disposable bag.

There are many waste treatment devices, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. nos. 6,612,099, 6,804,930, 6,851,251, 7,086,569, 7,114,314, 7,146,785, 7,316,100, 7,434,377, 7,503,152, 7,503,159, 7,617,659, 7,708,188, 7,712,285, 7,963,414, 8,127,519, 8,215,089, 8,235,237, 8,266,871, 8,973,774. In addition, innovative waste disposal devices are disclosed in the currently abandoned united states patent application No. 12/172,715 filed on 14/7/2008, the currently abandoned united states patent application No. 13/172,976 filed on 30/6/2011, and the currently abandoned united states patent application No. 13/270,697 filed on 11/10/2011.

Some of these waste management devices include a base defining a waste receiving compartment and a lid pivotally connected to the base. When the lid is opened, the bag becomes visible and waste is inserted into the opening of the bag. The bag often passes through a membrane that requires force to insert the waste and also serves to close the bag over the waste, thereby providing a barrier to the egress of waste and odors. In some waste disposal devices, the bag is actually part of a length of flexible tubing that is accordion folded, contained within a box.

In addition, some of these waste management devices include a pedal or foot pedal assembly to supplement or replace manual opening and closing of the lid. The foot pedal assembly includes a depressible foot pedal and a spring, and is arranged to cause both opening of the lid when the foot pedal is depressed and closing of the lid when the depressing force is removed. The spring moves against its bias when the pedal is depressed and returns to its original state when the depression force is removed, causing the lid to close and the torsion mechanism to rotate.

Disclosure of Invention

The container according to the present disclosure includes: at least one wall defining an interior space capable of receiving a bag, and a bag handling assembly coupled to the wall. The bag handling assembly comprises: a holder coupled to the wall, a bag support pivotally coupled to the holder, and a closure member pivotally coupled to the bag support, the pivotal coupling of the closure member to the bag support being independent of the pivotal coupling of the bag support to the holder. The first attachment structure pivotally attaches the bag support to the retainer, e.g., a hinge member of the retainer and a cooperating hinge member on the bag support on a first side of an opening defined by the retainer. The second attachment structure pivotally attaches the closure member to the bag support, e.g., an additional hinge member of the bag support and a cooperating hinge member on the closure member on a second side of the opening defined by the retainer. In this way, the first and second attachment structures are located on different sides of the opening defined by the retainer. An advantage of this structure is that it simplifies the use of the container by preventing interference when both attachment structures are in their open component state.

To secure the bag between the closure member and the bag support, the bag support includes an inner wall for supporting the open end of the bag and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall, and an edge portion between the inner wall and the outer wall defining a channel above the edge portion between the inner wall and the outer wall. The closure member defines a channel on an underside sized relative to the inner wall such that the inner wall is received in the channel when the closure member is pivoted against the bag support.

In order to secure the closure component to the bag support, the closure component comprises a tab, and the bag support comprises a flexible retainer cooperating with the tab such that the closure component is temporarily secured to the bag support by engagement of the tab with the retainer.

In one embodiment, the bag support comprises a membrane optionally comprising intersecting channels and intersecting slits at an angle to the channels, the channels being dimensioned to allow a bag to be received therein.

Drawings

The disclosure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container having a bag handling assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the outer wall removed and including a pouch;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the outer wall removed and including a pouch, shown in a condition in which the pouch can be secured and released from its secured condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the outer wall removed and including a bag, illustrating the ability to insert and remove the bag from the container;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the outer wall removed and showing a portion of the lid control mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1, illustrating removal of the bag from the container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the container shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a bag handling assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the container shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the bag handling assembly in a state capable of securing and releasing the bags from their secured state according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the container shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the bag handling assembly in a state enabling insertion and removal of bags into and from the container in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container having a bag handling assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 10 illustrating the bag handling assembly in a state enabling insertion and removal of bags into and from the container in accordance with the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference is made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. Fig. 1 shows a container 10 according to the present disclosure, which is preferably used for the treatment of waste, but may be used for any purpose. The container 10 includes a generally cylindrical outer wall 12 and a lid 14, the lid 14 having an open first position in which access to a bag 16 held in the container 10 is enabled and a closed second position in which access to the bag 16, and in particular to the interior of the container 10, is prevented. The outer wall 12 represents at least one wall defining an interior space or compartment of the container 10 that can house a bag in which waste is to be placed. The outer wall 12 may include one wall or may include a plurality of walls.

The container 10 further includes a base 18 (see fig. 5) on which the outer wall 12 is supported, and a lid control mechanism 20 that controls the opening and closing of the lid 14, i.e., the movement of the lid 14 between its open and closed positions. The base 18 may alternatively be integrated into the outer wall 12. The control mechanism 20 may include a foot pedal 22 and an actuating lever 24, the actuating lever 24 cooperating to translate the downward movement of the foot pedal 22 into an opening movement of the lid 14, see fig. 5. Foot pedal 22 is biased to return to a higher position to enable repeated downward movement. Those skilled in the art will understand how to make and use the control mechanism 20, and many different types of control mechanisms 20 are known to those skilled in the art and may be used in the present disclosure. Typically, the control mechanism 20 is concealed within the outer wall 12 and/or base 18 of the container 10.

Indeed, the general nature of the container 10 is not important to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be used with any type, shape, and size of container and is not limited to the types and shapes disclosed and illustrated herein.

The container 10 includes a bag handling assembly 26 having three main portions. The first portion is a retainer 28, the retainer 28 extending inwardly from the outer wall 12 and being coupled to the outer wall 12 when formed separately from the outer wall 12. The retainer 28 may be an integral part of the container 10 or may be a separate component that is temporarily or permanently attached to the outer wall 12 or other portion of the container 10 to provide a secure base for the remainder of the bag handling assembly 26. As shown, the retainer 28 is attached to the outer wall 12 by a peg 30, see fig. 2-5, the peg 30 being inserted into a corresponding recess or hole (not shown) in the outer wall 12. The pegs 30 illustrate structures that may be used to connect the retainer 28 to the outer wall 12, but in no way limit the present disclosure. As an alternative to the peg 30, the retainer 28 may also be provided with one or more flexible tabs having apertures that slide over mating projections on the inner surface of the outer wall 12 to secure the retainer 28 to the outer wall 12 (see fig. 10-12, discussed below). The retainer 28 may also be molded with the outer wall 12.

Any structure that connects the retainer 28 to the outer wall 12 is considered a coupling means for connecting the retainer 28 to the outer wall 12. Those skilled in the art of containers will appreciate that such coupling means include a variety of structures known to those skilled in the art of plastic manufacturing.

The bag handling assembly 26 may have a unitary structure that is formed as a unit and then attached to the outer wall 12 of the container 10.

The retainer 28 generally has the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the outer wall 12, but this is not a limitation of the retainer 28. The term "coupled to" or variants thereof, when used to describe a functional relationship between two components, means: one component may be directly connected to another component or may be indirectly connected to another component through one or more other components.

As seen more clearly in fig. 7 and 9, the retainer 28 has a rim portion 32 and an indented lip 34 surrounding the rim portion 32. The edge portion 32 is substantially flat, but need not have this form. A hinge member 36 is disposed on the edge portion 32, coupled to or integral with the edge portion 32, and opposite the hinge member 36, there is a recess 38. The retainer 28 also includes a peripheral seat 40 surrounding an internal bore or opening 42. Hinge member 36 is thus located between seat 40 and the peripheral edge of retainer 28.

The second part of the bag handling assembly 26 is a bag support 44, the bag support 44 including a hinge member 46, the hinge member 46 cooperating with the hinge member 36 to enable the bag support 44 to pivot relative to the holder 28. The bag support 44 has a generally annular form defining an opening, which in this context means defining an opening without restricting the shape of the bag support 44. The construction of the

hinge members

36, 46 can be any known type of construction that includes a portion of each of two members that interact to permit pivotal movement, whether they be called hinges or other commercial designations.

Such hinge members

36, 46 are well known to those skilled in the hinge art and are more generally pivotal attachment structures.

In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge member 36 includes a pair of projections 48 that project upwardly from the edge portion 32 of the cage 28, and the hinge member 46 includes an elongated shaft that is rotatably retained at each end by the projections 48. This and all equivalents and similar structures will be referred to as attachment means for pivotally attaching the bag support 44 to the retainer 28.

The bag support 44 further includes: an inner wall 50 on which the open end of the bag 16 rests; an outer wall 52 spaced from the inner wall 50 by a lower wall 54 defining a channel 56 above the lower wall 54 and between the inner and

outer walls

50, 52. Both the inner wall 50 and the outer wall 52 rise in the same direction from the lower wall 54. A hinge member 58 is disposed on the lower wall 54 or integrated into the lower wall 54.

The third part of the bag handling assembly 26 is a closure member 60, the closure member 60 including a hinge member 62, the hinge member 62 cooperating with the hinge member 58 to enable the closure member 60 to pivot relative to the bag support 44. The hinge member 62 projects from the annular portion of the closure member 60 by an extension. In this context, annular is used to mean a shape that defines an opening without limiting the shape of the closure member 60. The construction of the

hinge members

58, 62 can be any known type of construction that includes a portion of each of two members that interact to permit pivotal movement, whether they be referred to as hinges or other commercial designations.

Such hinge members

58, 62 are well known to those skilled in the hinge art and are more generally pivotal attachment structures.

In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge member 58 includes a projecting structure that projects upwardly from the lower wall 54 of the bag support 44, and the hinge member 62 includes an elongated shaft that is rotatably retained by the projecting structure. This structure, as well as all equivalent and similar structures, will be referred to as attachment means for pivotally attaching the closure member 60 to the bag support 44.

The combination of hinge members 58, 62 (the second attachment means) is located radially inward of the combination of hinge members 36, 46 (the first attachment means) because the dimensions of the closure member 60 are smaller than the dimensions of the bag support 44 and the dimensions of the bag support 44 are smaller than the dimensions of the retainer 28.

When the closure member 60 abuts the bag support 44 in the downward position, the bag 16 is pressed between the closure member 60 and the bag support 44. More specifically, the closure member 60 defines a channel 64 on a lower side, see, e.g., as shown in fig. 1 and 3-6, that can receive the inner wall 50 of the bag support 44 such that the bag 16 (when present) is clamped between the closure member 60 and the inner wall 50 when the closure member 60 is pivoted to engage the inner wall 50. The channel 64 is generally defined by two spaced apart walls and a bottom wall to form a downwardly oriented channel 64. Thus, the closure member 60 has a generally square shape, similar to the shape of the inner wall 50, although their shape may vary.

Thus, the bag support 44 serves two important functions, the first being to provide a pivotal attachment to the holder 28 to enable access to the interior of the container 10 to remove the bag 16 when the bag 16 has been used to contain waste, for example, and the second being to provide the inner wall 50 to allow the open end of the bag 16 to be selectively clamped against the inner wall 50 by the closure member 60. This clamping is a contact compression wherein the bag 16 is pressed against the inner wall 16 by the closure member 60 to seal off odors located within the bag 16 that are generated by the material in the bag 16. When no bag is present, there may be contact between the closure member 60 and the inner wall 50, or only a tolerance slightly less than half the thickness of the bag 10 intended to be used in the container.

With regard to the former function, the bag support 44 is pivotable upwardly by cooperating

hinge structures

36, 46 to provide access to the bag 16, see fig. 1 and 4, and particularly fig. 6, which illustrates removal of the bag 16 containing waste as the bag support 44 is pivoted upwardly relative to the holder 28. When the bag support 44 is pivoted upwardly relative to the retainer 28 to remove a bag from the container 10, the closure member 60 need not be pivoted upwardly away from the bag support 44.

Once the bag 16 is full or the bag 16 needs to be replaced, removal of the bag is facilitated by pivoting the closure member 60 upwardly relative to the bag support 44 to release the clamping force of the closure member 60 on the bag support 44, see fig. 3. The ends of the bag 16 are then grasped and possibly tied and inserted into the interior of the container 10 through the bag support 44. The bag support 44 is then pivoted upwardly relative to the holder 28 by the user inserting their fingers into the recesses 38 in the holder 28 and lifting the bag support 44 upwardly to increase the size of the opening at the top of the container 10, see fig. 4. Finally, the bag 16 is grasped by the hand 66 of the user and pulled from the interior of the container 10, see FIG. 6.

The disposable bag is then taken and placed inside the container 10. This placement may be either before or after the bag support stand 44 is pivoted downward to rest on the holder 28. In the former case, the bag support 44 pivots downwardly and the user must reach his or her hand over the bag support 44 to reach the upper end of the bag 16 and pull the bag 16 over the bag support 44 to drape the upper end over the inner wall 50. In the latter case, the user pushes the bag 16 over the bag support 44 and then drapes the upper end of the bag 16 over the inner wall 50. In either case, the open end of the upper end of the bag 16 is draped over the inner wall 50 and the closure assembly 60 is then pivoted onto the inner wall 50 to secure the new bag 16 in a position ready for use.

The closure member 60 includes an optional tab 68 opposite the hinge member 62, and an optional flexible retainer 70 is disposed on the lower wall 54 of the bag support 44. The tabs 68 may be pressed under the lip of the retainer 70, thereby securing the closure member 60 relative to the bag support 44 and preventing the closure member 60 from pivoting upward relative to the bag support 44. To release the tab 68 from the retainer 70, the retainer 70 is flexed outwardly to allow the tab 68 to be lifted upwardly. Additional details of the mating of the tabs and retainers are disclosed in applicant's united states patent application No. 15/413,163 filed 2017, 1, 23, 2015, 14/935,835 filed 11, 9, 2015, 14/709,878 filed 5, 12, 2015, 14/537,044 filed 11, 10, 2014, 14/109,270 filed 12, 17, 2013, 9, 23, 61/881,386 filed 9, 23.

As an alternative to cooperating tabs 68 and retainers 70, other structures may be provided on and/or integrated into bag support 44 and closure 60 to enable closure 60 to be temporarily secured to bag support 44 during use of the container. Generally, such a structure will be referred to as a securing means for securing the closure member 60 to the bag support 44.

Bag support 44 includes an optional membrane 72, which membrane 72 may be integrated into bag support 44 by attaching it to inner wall 50 and/or lower wall 54. The membrane 72 may be a separate component from and attached to the bag support 44. As shown, the membrane 72 includes two intersecting

channels

74, 76 and two intersecting

slits

78, 80 at an angle of about 45 degrees to the

channels

74, 76. Other forms of channels and/or slits may be provided for the membrane 72. They are not critical to the present disclosure. With the disclosed configuration, the bag 16 may be pushed into one of the

channels

74, 76 to be retained therein while preventing odors from being released from any waste in the bag 16. The bag 16 may be propelled by the structures disclosed in the patents and patent applications mentioned herein. Other advantages of the membrane are detailed in the patents and patent applications mentioned herein. Indeed, all of the features of the insert assemblies disclosed in these patents and patent applications are envisioned and considered by the inventors to be incorporated as much as possible into the bag handling assembly 26 of the present disclosure and should be considered a part of the present disclosure.

As an alternative to the above described bag removal and insertion process involving two pivoting movements to release the bag 16 from its grip and subsequently increase the size of the opening, it is possible to construct the container 10 with an access door in the outer wall 12, and then carry away the bag 16 of waste by opening the access door. It is also possible to insert the empty bag 16 into the access door and then pass its upper end up through the membrane 72 and then drape its upper end over the inner wall 50 and then close the closure member 60 to clamp the upper end of the bag 16 between the inner wall 50 and the closure member 60.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the retainer 28 is secured to the outer wall 12 of the container 10, and the remainder of the bag handling assembly 26, i.e., the bag support 44 and the closure member 60, are considered inserts or unitary inserts or insert assemblies of the container 10, as used in other patents and patent applications of the applicant referred to herein. The insert is attached to the retainer 28 by pressing the hinge member 46 into engagement with the hinge member 36. For this embodiment, the holder 28 may even be integrated into the container 10, including a suitable hinge member 36. Snap-on hinges are known to those skilled in the art of pivotal connections or those having knowledge of such devices.

The container 10 may be used without the lid 14. Further, the bag handling assembly 26 may be attached to other containers, such as wall-mounted containers. Thus, the bag disposal assembly 26 serves to control the ingress of waste into the bag when held by the bag disposal assembly 26 and also facilitates the removal of the bag when full of waste.

The bag disposal assembly 26 may be formed generally as an insert or insert assembly wherein the retainer 28 is configured to be attachable to a wall of a bucket or other support structure that defines a receptacle for receiving waste. The holder 28 is then secured to the support structure and the bag handling assembly 26 is thereby manipulated in the manner disclosed above.

The container 10 may be used with the waste disposal assembly disclosed in the applicant's patents and patent applications referred to herein. Such waste disposal means will be configured to preferentially contact (when no bag is present) and thereby press against the membrane 72, thereby forcing any waste thereon through the opening of the bag 16 held by the membrane 72 into the bag below the membrane 72 (when a bag is present). The waste disposal assembly releases a deodorizing material to eliminate odors in the inserted waste.

Fig. 10-12 illustrate such a container 100 having a waste disposal component 102. The container 100 includes a substantially cylindrical outer wall 104 and a lid 106 having an open first position in which access to the container 100 held by a bag (not shown) is enabled and a closed second position in which access to the bag, and more generally to the interior of the container 100, is disabled. The outer wall 104 represents at least one wall that defines an interior space or compartment within the container 100 that can house a bag in which waste is to be placed. The outer wall 104 may be comprised of one wall or may be comprised of multiple walls.

The container 100 also includes a base 108, and the outer wall 104 is supported on the base 108. The cover 106 includes a setback 110 to enable it to be opened manually. Such a setback on the lid may be used for the lid 14 in the container 10 (fig. 1-9), and the control mechanism 20 in the container 10 (fig. 1-9) may be used in the container 100. The waste disposal unit 102 is mounted to the underside of the lid 106 and dispenses, for example, odour-combating material.

The general nature of the container 100 is not important to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be used with any type, shape, and size of container and is not limited to the types and shapes disclosed and illustrated herein.

The container 100 includes a bag handling assembly 112 that is similar to the bag handling assembly 26, and only the differences will be mentioned. The bag handling assembly 112 includes a bag support 44 and a closure member 60, and a holder 114 similar to the holder 28 but slightly different (and features of the holder 114 that are the same as features in the holder 28 are identified with the same reference numerals). One difference is the manner in which the retainer 114 is attached to the outer wall 104. The retainer 114 includes a flexible tab 116 having an aperture 118, the aperture 118 engaging an equal number of engaging projections 120 on the inner surface of the outer wall 104, see fig. 11. The protrusion 120 is sized to fit within the aperture 118. Thus, the holder 114, and thus the bag handling assembly 112 as a whole, is not permanently integrated into the container 100, but may be formed as a separate component and then assembled with the outer wall 104 to form the container 100.

To assemble the container 100 in one embodiment, once the bag support 44 and closure member 60 are attached to the holder 114 or prior to such attachment, the holder 114 is rotated to align the tabs 116 with the projections 120. The retainer 114 is then pressed downwardly, thereby causing the tabs 116 to flex inwardly and overlie the projections 120. This pressure continues until tab 116 passes over protrusion 120, at which point tab 116 flexes outward, and protrusion 120 is then positioned in aperture 118 of tab 116. Thereby providing a secure attachment of the holder 114, and thus the bag handling assembly 112 as a whole, to the outer wall 104 of the container 100.

The retainer 114 generally has the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the outer wall 104, but this is not a limitation of the retainer 114. The retainer 114 has a rim portion 122, and the tab 116 projects downwardly from the rim portion 122. Hinge member 36 is located between seat 40 and rim portion 122.

The container 100 may be configured to provide additional functionality to the waste disposal component 102, and in particular, it may be operable to push waste through the membrane 72 onto a bag located on the membrane 72. To provide this effect, the container 100 is configured such that the height of the waste disposal member 102 is equal to or slightly less than the distance between the membrane 72 and the lower surface of the lid 104. Thus, when the lid 104 is closed, the waste disposal means 102 will push waste on a bag located on the membrane 72 through the membrane 72 into the bag portion below the membrane.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Several features are apparent from the above description.

First, the unitary bag handling assembly 26 includes two separate and independent pivotal attachments or pivotal attachment structures, one configured and positioned to attach the bag support 44 to the holder 28 and enable relative movement therebetween, and the other to attach the closure member 60 to the holder 28. The bag support 44 and enable relative movement therebetween. Thus, the bag support 44 includes two

separate hinge members

46, 58 on the bag support 44. This dual, independent hinge structure provides significant benefits to a waste container, such as for use with disposable bags, because the bag support 44 includes one set of

hinge components

36, 46 to secure the bag 16 during use, and another set of

hinge components

58, 62 to provide easy access to the bag 16 when attempting to remove the bag 16 from the interior of the container 10 to replace it 16 with an empty bag.

Second, as shown, in a preferred embodiment, the attachment devices are not disposed on the same side of the bag handling assembly 26. As shown in fig. 1, the

hinge members

36, 46 are disposed on the left side of the bag handling assembly 26, i.e., to the left of the opening 42 defined by the cage 28, while the

hinge members

58, 62 are disposed on the upper side and above the opening 42 defined by the cage 28. The

hinge members

36, 46 may also be disposed on the right side of the bag handling assembly 26 opposite the

hinge members

36, 46. Arranging the hinge members on different sides of the bag handling assembly 26, there is less interference during pivotal opening of the bag support 44 relative to the holder 28 while the closure member 60 has been opened relative to the bag support 44. When the closure member 60 and bag support 44 are opened to remove a full bag of waste, the container 10 does not impede any of these pivoting movements.

While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure in its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. Indeed, the combinations of features of the

bag handling assemblies

26, 112 disclosed herein may be used together to create new bag handling assemblies. Furthermore, features of the container 10 may be used in conjunction with the container 100 and vice versa. Likewise, the features of the insert described in fig. 64 and 65A-65C of U.S. patent application No. 15/668,414 filed on 3.8.2017 may also be used with

bag handling assemblies

26, 112, and the features of the other inserts disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 15/668,414 may also be used with

containers

10, 100, and particularly

bag handling assemblies

26, 112. All such combinations and permutations of the features of the bag handling assembly disclosed herein are considered a part of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

at least one wall defining an interior space in which the bag may be housed; and

a bag handling assembly coupled with the at least one wall,

the bag handling assembly comprising:

a retainer extending inwardly from the at least one wall at an upper end region thereof, the retainer defining an opening;

a bag support pivotally coupled to the holder, the bag support defining an opening; and

a closure member pivotally coupled to the bag support independently of the pivotal coupling of the bag support to the retainer, the closure member defining an opening,

the bag support and the closure member including cooperating gripping formations which grip the bag between the bag support and the closure member when the closure member is pivoted against the bag support,

whereby the bag is gripped by the cooperating gripping formations and when the closure member is pivoted against the bag support and the bag support is pivoted against the retainer, the bag passes through the opening defined by the bag support and the retainer and the interior of the bag is accessible through the opening defined by the closure member, the bag support and the retainer.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a first attachment means for pivotally attaching the bag support to the holder.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the first attachment arrangement includes a hinge member on the retainer and a cooperating hinge member on the bag support on a first side of an opening defined by the retainer.

4. A container according to claim 3, further comprising a second attachment arrangement for pivotally attaching the closure member to the bag support, the second attachment member comprising an additional hinge member located on the bag support and a cooperating hinge member located on the closure member on a second side of the opening defined by the retainer, such that the first and second attachment arrangements are located on different sides of the opening defined by the retainer.

5. The container of claim 3, wherein the retainer further comprises a rim portion and a recess on the rim portion opposite the hinge member, the bag support comprising a tab aligned with the recess.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a rim portion and a hinge member disposed on or integrated into the rim portion.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the bag support includes an inner wall for supporting an open end of the bag, an outer wall spaced radially outwardly from the inner wall, and a lower wall between the inner and outer walls defining a channel therebetween and above the lower wall, the inner wall being closer to the aperture of the bag support than the outer wall, the bag passing through the aperture.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the closure member defines a channel on an underside dimensioned relative to the inner wall such that when the closure member is pivoted against the bag support, the inner wall is received in the channel and contacts the closure member, whereby the inner wall and the channel constitute the cooperating gripping formation.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the closure component includes a tab and the bag support includes a flexible retainer that cooperates with the tab to enable temporary securement of the closure component to the bag support by engagement of the tab with the retainer.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the bag support comprises a membrane comprising intersecting channels and intersecting slits at an angle to the channels, the channels being sized to allow the bag to be received therein.

11. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

first attachment means for pivotally attaching the bag support to the holder; and

second attachment means for pivotally attaching the closure member to the bag support,

the first attachment device is located on a first side of an opening defined by the retainer and the second attachment device is located on a second side of the opening defined by the retainer such that the first and second attachment devices are located on different sides of the opening defined by the retainer.

12. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

the first attachment device is radially outward of the second attachment device such that the first and second attachment devices are at different distances from a center of the bag handling assembly.

13. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a hinge member located on the retainer;

a first hinge member on the pouch support cooperating with the hinge member on the holder for pivotal movement of the pouch support relative to the holder;

a second hinge member located on the pouch support; and

a hinge member on the closure member cooperating with the second hinge member on the bag support to provide for pivotal movement of the closure member relative to the bag support independent of pivotal movement of the bag support relative to the retainer.

14. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a lid that moves between an open position in which the bag disposal assembly is accessible and allows waste to be inserted into the interior space, and a closed position in which the bag disposal assembly is inaccessible;

a base supporting the at least one wall; and

a control mechanism coupled to the base and the lid and controlling opening and closing of the lid.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the bag support is at least partially positioned above the retainer and the closure member is at least partially positioned above the bag support such that when the bag support is pivoted against the retainer and the closure member is pivoted against the bag support, the bag support is positioned between the retainer and the closure member.