EP2493784B1 - Verfahren zur entsorgung von gebrauchten windeln - Google Patents

Verfahren zur entsorgung von gebrauchten windeln Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2493784B1
EP2493784B1 EP10827353.3A EP10827353A EP2493784B1 EP 2493784 B1 EP2493784 B1 EP 2493784B1 EP 10827353 A EP10827353 A EP 10827353A EP 2493784 B1 EP2493784 B1 EP 2493784B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bag
flexible bag
range
housing
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP10827353.3A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2493784A2 (de
EP2493784A4 (de
Inventor
Steven B. Dunn
Mark A. Hatherill
Kevin D. Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Munchkin Inc
Original Assignee
Munchkin Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US12/609,743 external-priority patent/US20110099956A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,703 external-priority patent/US20110099950A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,836 external-priority patent/US8567157B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,850 external-priority patent/US10343842B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,844 external-priority patent/US20110099945A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,801 external-priority patent/US8833592B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,842 external-priority patent/US8739501B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/609,771 external-priority patent/US8635838B2/en
Application filed by Munchkin Inc filed Critical Munchkin Inc
Priority to EP20151804.0A priority Critical patent/EP3659947A1/de
Publication of EP2493784A2 publication Critical patent/EP2493784A2/de
Publication of EP2493784A4 publication Critical patent/EP2493784A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2493784B1 publication Critical patent/EP2493784B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F1/00—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor
    • B65F1/04—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor with removable inserts
    • B65F1/06—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor with removable inserts with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks
    • B65F1/062—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor with removable inserts with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks having means for storing or dispensing spare bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F1/00—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor
    • B65F1/14—Other constructional features; Accessories
    • B65F1/16—Lids or covers
    • B65F1/1615—Lids or covers with means for locking, fastening or permanently closing thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F1/00—Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor
    • B65F1/0006—Flexible refuse receptables, e.g. bags, sacks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
    • B65F2210/148—Locking means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F2210/00—Equipment of refuse receptacles
    • B65F2210/167—Sealing means
    • B65F2210/1675—Sealing means by twisting, e.g. of a flexible tube
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
    • B65F2240/00—Types of refuse collected
    • B65F2240/132—Diapers

Definitions

  • This description relates broadly to the field of household and institutional waste disposal systems and processes, and more specifically to diaper pail systems and methods for hygienically holding and packaging particularly unsanitary and odiferous waste, such as used diapers, for eventual disposal.
  • the present invention relates to a method of storing used diapers for disposal.
  • DIAPER GENIE® One such system has been marketed under the trademark DIAPER GENIE®.
  • the original DIAPER GENIE® system uses a long, continuous length of plastic tubing that is dispensed from an annular space within a tube-holding cartridge that has a central opening.
  • the consumer prepares the system for use by closing one end of the tubing with a knot and pushing the knotted end through the central opening. He or she then inserts a waste package through the central opening, and the cartridge is rotated in order to create a twist seal in the tubing above the waste package. Additional tubing is dispensed as the cartridge is rotated. The process may be repeated until the storage compartment in the container is full. When this occurs, the consumer must physically cut the upper end of the tube and tie another knot at the open end of the tube.
  • Such systems yield an awkward chain of individual waste packets within compartments that are defined in the long tube by a multiplicity of twisted portions.
  • Such a system can be relatively complicated for the uninitiated, requiring the parent or caregiver to tie knots at both ends of the tube and to thread the tube through the central hole when installing a tubing cartridge. While this may not be a problem for an experienced individual, it could cause problems for an inexperienced caregiver, such as a young babysitter or grandparent. Using such a system could also be problematic for a disabled individual, especially a person who has vision problems or who lacks manual dexterity. Removing the long chain of waste packages from the storage space of such a device can also be cumbersome. Such systems are also uneconomical due to the amount of plastic tubing material used per waste package.
  • Another version of the DIAPER GENIE® system also requires the parent or caregiver to pull a measured length of plastic tubing out of a cassette and to tie a knot at the end of the tubing.
  • the knotted portion must then be pushed downwardly through a pair of spring-loaded jaws into a lower portion of the unit.
  • the parent or caregiver will then insert used disposable diapers that have been tightly rolled through a central opening in the cartridge downwardly into the knotted tube through a portion of the tube that is clamped by the spring-loaded jaws.
  • the parent or caregiver will use an integrated cutter mechanism to cut the upper portion of the tube and close it with a knot.
  • the tube having knots at both ends is then pulled out of the unit and thrown away.
  • both ends of the tubing are tied with a knot rather than sealed, which under certain circumstances can lead to leakage of liquid waste onto the floor or carpet, the unit or the clothing of a parent or caregiver.
  • waste disposal system Another type of waste disposal system has been invented by Mr. David Stravitz and is disclosed in United States Patents 6,612,099 , 6,804,930 , 6,851,251 , 7,114,314 , and 7,146,785 .
  • These systems may include a container that defines a waste receiving chamber, an insert defining a cavity for receiving a pack of flexible tubing and an inner lid that is connected to the container for covering or exposing an open top of the insert.
  • the inner lid and the insert define a dispensing opening through which the tubing passes during use of the waste disposal system.
  • An outer lid which is optionally pivotally connected to the container, is movable between a position in which the waste receiving chamber is accessible and a position in which the waste receiving chamber is covered.
  • a retention mechanism holds the waste package while a rotation mechanism causes rotation of the retention mechanism relative to the insert to cause a twist to be formed above a waste package when held by the retention mechanism. This encapsulates the waste package in the tubing.
  • Mr. Stravitz has more recently invented new diaper disposal systems in which a single use diaper pail bag has an upper end that is fixed between two different portions of a rigid frame that is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed with respect to the housing of the unit.
  • a rotatable member having a plurality of resilient, inwardly directed fingers is used to engage an intermediate portion of the single use bag in order to create a twist between upper and lower portions of the bag in order to form an odor seal. While certain principles within this system are believed to have considerable promise, there has been a need for additional innovation in order to provide a diaper disposal system of commercial quality that has the convenience, functionality and durability to be the best diaper disposal system ever developed.
  • US2005183401 (A1 ) relates to an integrated cutting system for a waste disposal device comprising a waste storage receptacle and a film cutting and sealing device.
  • a cartridge containing a continuous length of film is positioned over the receptacle.
  • the integrated cutting system further includes an activation mechanism operatively configured to alternatively engage a cutting device or a film sealing device capable of twistably sealing the film of the cartridge when the film is dispensed from the cartridge.
  • a selection mechanism is arranged to control the activation mechanism to either engage the cutting device while deactivating the film sealing device, or to engage the film sealing device while deactivating the cutting device.
  • the cutting device comprises a blade positioned to sever the film from the cartridge.
  • WO2010008412 (A1 ), which enjoys a priority date of 14 July 2008 and therefore represents prior art under Art.
  • 54(3) EPC i.e. only relevant for the question of novelty, relates to a waste disposal device which comprises a container defining a waste chamber for receiving waste, a stationary support member arranged in said container for supporting tubing having a closed or closable front end to thereby enable formation of a bag in container, a twisting assembly arranged in said container and defining an aperture through which the tubing passes while said twisting assembly engages with the tubing, and a rotation mechanism for rotating said twisting assembly relative to said support member while said twisting assembly engages with the tubing to thereby form a twist in the tubing.
  • WO 2007/130889 A2 relates to a waste disposal system and method, comprising a disposal bag with a hinged frame.
  • the disposal bag comprises a flexible material.
  • the flexible material may form a box.
  • the side walls of the box may be pre-folded to create a collapsing structure which can be folded flat. Preparing the folded box for use may involve unfolding the box by straightening the folded sides. A line pattern may be creased to preserve the fold pattern once the flexible material is attached to the frame in its three-dimensional form.
  • the bag may be constructed from a continuous piece of material.
  • a plurality of bags may be successively nested and the frames may be successively stacked, one upon the other.
  • the stack of nested bags may be contained in a container for storing and dispensing the bags.
  • the disposed waste may be baby diapers.
  • the bag has a wider dimension at the bottom end than at its opening where the frame is attached to the bag. Waste, such as a baby diaper, may be placed in a disposal bag, and the frame may be folded at a hinge such that opposing sides of the frame are brought into contact with one another and the waste is sealed within the disposal bag.
  • a diaper pail assembly including a housing, the housing having a plurality of recesses; a bag unit having a bag frame and a flexible bag, the bag frame being releasably mounted to the housing so as to be prevented from rotating with respect to the housing, wherein the bag frame has a plurality of tabs that are respectively positioned within the plurality of recesses.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing, the housing having at least one recess; a bag unit having a bag frame and a flexible bag, the bag frame being releasably mounted to the housing so as to be prevented from rotating with respect to the housing, wherein the bag frame has at least one tab that is positioned within the recess; and wherein the housing further comprises a locking mechanism for releasably locking the tab within said recess.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a bag unit having a bag frame and a flexible bag, the bag frame having a lower surface and being releasably mounted to the housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing; and wherein the housing is constructed and arranged to permit a user to lift the bag frame from said housing by contacting the lower surface.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a flexible bag releasably mounted to the housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing; and a rotatable member for twisting a portion of the bag, the rotatable member comprising a plurality of flexible, inwardly extending fingers, and wherein a bag contact portion of the fingers has a kinetic frictional coefficient with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.37 to about 0.67.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a flexible bag releasably mounted to the housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing; and a rotatable member for twisting a portion of the bag, the rotatable member comprising a plurality of inwardly extending fingers that are fabricated from an elastomeric material, and wherein said elastomeric material has a hardness that is within a range of about 60 Shore A to about 120 Shore A.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a flexible bag releasably mounted to the housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing, the external surface of the flexible bag having a kinetic frictional coefficient with respect to like material that is within a range of about 0.12 to about 0.47; and a rotatable member for twisting a portion of the bag, the rotatable member comprising a plurality of inwardly extending fingers having a bag contact surface.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a bag releasably mounted to the housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing; and a rotatable member for twisting a portion of the bag, the rotatable member comprising a plurality of flexible, inwardly extending fingers and a corresponding plurality of spaces defined between the fingers, and wherein at least one of the spaces has a first width at a first location and a second width at a second location, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a bag releasably mounted to the housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing; and a rotatable member for twisting a portion of the bag, the rotatable member comprising a plurality of flexible, inwardly extending fingers, the fingers being constructed and arranged to define a central opening having a minimum diameter when the fingers are in an unstressed position, and wherein the minimum diameter is within a range of about 3 mm to about 13 mm.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a bag having a bag frame, the bag frame being releasably mounted to said housing so as not to rotate with respect to the housing; a rotatable member for twisting a portion of the bag, and wherein the rotatable member comprises a support member for supporting the bag frame.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a bag holder for holding a bag; a bottom surface for supporting the bag, wherein said bottom surface comprises a curved concave portion for aligning and centering the bag.
  • a diaper pail assembly which may include a housing; a lid mounted to the housing; a bag; a rotatable member for effecting twisting of the flexible bag; and a transmission mechanism for rotating the rotating member when the lid is closed, and wherein the transmission member includes a clutch mechanism that is constructed and arranged to disengage when a predetermined amount of force within said transmission mechanism is exceeded.
  • a diaper pail bag which may include a flexible bag; a frame attached to the flexible bag, the 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.
  • a diaper pail bag which may include a flexible bag; a frame attached to the flexible bag, the frame having a hinge defined therein; wherein the frame has a lower surface, and wherein the flexible bag is bonded to the lower surface.
  • a diaper pail bag which may include a flexible bag, at least a portion of the flexible bag being pleated; and a frame attached to the flexible bag.
  • a diaper pail bag which may include a flexible bag; and a frame attached to the flexible bag, the frame having a hinge defined therein permitting the frame to be moved between open and closed positions, and a plurality of outwardly extending registration projections.
  • the method of storing used diapers for disposal comprises the steps of: installing a bag assembly comprising a pleated flexible bag attached to a hinged frame member into a diaper disposal system, said pleated flexible bag having a first diameter at a first upper portion and a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter at a second lower portion, so that said second, lower portion of said pleated flexible bag is located within a storage space of the diaper disposal system; securing said hinged frame member to a housing so that said hinged frame member is secured against rotation with respect to said housing; placing at least one used diaper within the pleated flexible bag; and removing the bag assembly from the diaper disposal system and folding the hinged frame member in order to close the pleated flexible bag and to form a carrying handle.
  • Also disclosed is a method of storing used diapers which includes steps of installing a pleated flexible bag having a first diameter at a first upper portion and a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter at a second lower portion into a diaper disposal system so that said second, lower portion of said pleated flexible bag is located within a storage space of the diaper disposal system; placing at least one used diaper within the pleated flexible bag; and removing the pleated flexible bag from the diaper disposal system.
  • a method of opening a diaper pail bag which includes steps of providing a diaper pail bag assembly including a flexible bag portion and a hinged frame portion that is attached to the flexible bag portion, the step of providing a diaper pail bag assembly being performed by providing the diaper pail bag assembly with the hinged frame portion being in a closed, folded position; and manipulating at least two tab members that are integral with the hinged frame portion in order to move the hinged frame portion out of the closed position.
  • Also disclosed is a method of using a diaper pail assembly which includes steps of mounting an upper portion of a flexible bag to an upper portion of a diaper bag assembly; and pushing a lower portion of the flexible bag downwardly through a resilient rotatable sealing and gripping member having a bag engaging surface that has a kinetic frictional coefficient with respect to an outer surface of the flexible bag that is substantially within a range of about 0.37 to about 0.67.
  • Also disclosed is a method of using a diaper pail assembly which includes steps of installing a flexible bag into a diaper pail assembly, the flexible bag having an inner surface that has a kinetic frictional coefficient with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.08 to about 0.38; inserting a waste package into the flexible bag; and removing the flexible bag from the diaper pail assembly.
  • Also disclosed is a method of using a diaper pail assembly which includes providing a bag assembly having a bag frame and an attached flexible bag, the bag frame having a central opening, the central opening having a minimum lateral dimension that is substantially within a range of about 60 mm to about 180 mm; installing the bag assembly into a diaper pail assembly; inserting a waste package into the flexible bag; and removing the bag assembly from the diaper pail assembly.
  • Also disclosed is a method of using a diaper pail assembly which includes providing a bag assembly having a bag frame that is foldable about a hinge and that has a central opening, the bag assembly further including a flexible bag that is attached to the bag frame; installing the bag assembly into a diaper pail assembly; inserting a waste package into the flexible bag; and removing the bag assembly from the diaper pail assembly, the step of removing the bag assembly from the diaper pail assembly including a step of folding the bag frame about the hinge in order to form a carrying handle for the bag assembly.
  • Also disclosed is a method of using a diaper pail assembly which includes installing a flexible bag into a diaper pail assembly, the flexible bag having an outer surface and an inner surface; engaging the outer surface of the flexible bag to create a twist in the flexible bag; dispensing a powder material into an upper portion of the flexible bag above the twist; and inserting a waste package into the flexible bag by pushing the waste package downwardly through the twist, whereby a portion of the powder material is pushed with the waste package through the twist into a lower portion of the flexible bag.
  • Also disclosed is a method of using a diaper pail assembly which includes installing a flexible bag into a diaper pail assembly, the flexible bag having an outer surface, an inner surface and a lubricating material disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface; engaging the outer surface of the flexible bag to create a restricted portion in the flexible bag; and inserting a waste package into the flexible bag by pushing the waste package downwardly through the restricted portion, whereby the lubricating material facilitates passage of the waste package through the restricted portion.
  • a diaper pail assembly or system 10 includes a housing 12 and a lid member 14.
  • Lid member 14 is connected to the housing 12 by a hinge mechanism 16 so that the lid member 14 can be moved by a parent or caregiver between an open position that is shown in FIGURE 1 and a closed position that is shown in FIGURE 2 .
  • Housing 12 defines an interior storage space 13, best shown in FIGURE 5 , which can be accessed by a parent or a caregiver by opening a door 18.
  • the door 18 is hingedly mounted with respect to the housing 12.
  • Diaper pail assembly 10 further includes a base portion 20 that is constructed and arranged to support the housing 12 on an underlying horizontal surface such as a floor or a carpet.
  • a latching mechanism and gripping knob 22 is provided on the door 18 for permitting the consumer to open and close the door 18 in conventional fashion.
  • the latching mechanism and gripping knob 22 further includes a latch mechanism of conventional design that interengages with a portion of the housing 12 in order to selectively lock the door 18 in a closed position as shown in FIGURE 1 .
  • the door 18 is also preferably provided with a mechanism for releasably retaining the door 18 in the open position, so that the door 18 will not swing shut at a time that is inconvenient for the consumer.
  • a lid latching mechanism 24 includes a laterally expandable latch member 26 that is movably mounted on the lid member 14 and a mating recess 28 that is defined in the housing 12.
  • a button or actuating surface 30 is movably mounted on a side of the lid member 14 that is opposite the hinge mechanism 16 and is constrained with respect to the lid member 14 so as to permit only substantially vertically upward and downward movement with respect to the lid member 14.
  • a slotted plunger member 32 is integral with an underside of the actuating surface 30 and is constructed and arranged to cam against outer cam surfaces 25 of an opposed pair of pivotally mounted laterally expandable latch members 34, 36 when the actuating surface 30 is depressed by a consumer.
  • Latch members 34, 36 are biased by an internal spring towards the open position that is shown in FIGURE 4 .
  • the powder dispensing assembly 40 and its method of operation is preferably constructed as described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application S.N.12/609,136, filed October 30, 2009 .
  • Powder dispensing assembly 40 is preferably constructed and arranged to dispense a deodorizing or odor-absorbing powder such as sodium bicarbonate into a targeted area of the diaper pail assembly 10. It preferably includes a directional dispensing mechanism including an orifice for dispensing powder from the assembly 40 in such a manner that initial dispersal of the powder is concentrated to a single side of the powder dispensing assembly 40 that is preferably away from the hinge mechanism 16.
  • the lid member 14 of the diaper pail assembly 10 When a consumer desires to open the lid member 14 of the diaper pail assembly 10 in order to install a diaper pail bag or dispose an odiferous waste package such as a used disposable diaper, he or she will depress the actuator button 30, which will drive the plunger 32 downwardly, causing the plunger 32 to contact the outer cam surfaces 25 of the respective latch members 34, 36. This will cause the latch members 34, 36 to disengage from the recess 28 and enable the lid member 14 to be lifted upwardly.
  • An undercut 31 or recess is preferably defined in the housing 12 on an opposite side of housing 12 from the hinge mechanism 16 in order to give the consumer space to be able to exert lifting pressure on a lifting surface 33 of the lid member 14, as may be visualized by viewing FIGURE 1 . This will enable a parent or caregiver to easily lift the lid member 14 after the lid latching mechanism 24 has been disengaged.
  • diaper pail assembly 10 advantageously includes structure 44 for aligning and centering a diaper pail bag within the interior storage space 13 of the housing 12.
  • the aligning and centering structure 44 includes a bottom surface 46 defining a lowermost extent of the interior storage space 13 that includes a central, substantially flat portion 48 and an annular curved portion 50 surrounding the substantially flat portion 48.
  • the bottom surface 46 could be entirely concavely curved, or the central portion could even have a slight convex curvature.
  • the portion 50 could alternatively achieve its centering and aligning function if it was generally flat, or even slightly convex, as long as it is raised with respect to the central portion 46 and generally annular.
  • the central substantially flat portion 48 is preferably substantially circular in shape as viewed in top plan and has a maximum radius R 1 that is preferably substantially within a range of about 20 mm to about 130 mm, more preferably within a range of about 30 mm to about 100 mm and most preferably within a range of about 45 mm to about 85 mm.
  • the central portion 48 could have a generally oval shape as viewed in top plan.
  • the annular curved portion 50 occupies a substantial portion of the bottom surface 46 and is substantially concave, having an average radius of curvature R 2 that is preferably within a range of about 15 mm to about 120 mm. More preferably, the average radius of curvature R 2 of the annular curved portion 50 is substantially within a range of about 25 mm to about 80 mm, and most preferably within a range of about 30 mm to about 60 mm.
  • the curved concave portion 50 is preferably substantially at least 25% of the bottom surface 46 as a whole, more preferably substantially at least 40% of the surface area of the bottom surface 46 and most preferably substantially at least 60% of the surface area of the bottom surface 46.
  • the bottom surface 46 may additionally include a small upper ledge portion 52 at its extreme outer periphery, connected to the annular concave portion 50 by a concave portion that is shaped to provide a smooth transition between the annular concave portion 50 and the upper ledge portion 52.
  • the entire bottom surface 46 is constructed so as to have a maximum lateral extent, which in the preferred embodiment is represented by a maximum radius R 3 , that is preferably substantially within a range of about 60 mm to about 250 mm, more preferably substantially within a range of about 80 mm to about 180 mm, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 90 mm to about 150 mm.
  • a ratio R 2 /R 3 is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.15 to about 0.95, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.20 to about 0.60, and most preferably within a range of about 0.25 to about 0.45.
  • the bottom surface 46 also preferably is fabricated from a material, preferably polypropylene, that has a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.41 to about 0.71, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.46 to about 0.66, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.51 to about 0.61.
  • the bottom surface 46 also preferably is fabricated from a material that has a static coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.54 to about 0.84, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.59 to about 0.79, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.64 to about 0.74.
  • the bottom surface 46 and the external surface of the flexible bag 112 are also preferably fabricated from materials that create a relative static coefficient of friction therebetween that is substantially within a range of about 0.30 to about 0.60, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.35 to about 0.55, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.40 to about 0.50.
  • the bottom surface 46 and the external surface of the flexible bag 112 are also preferably fabricated from materials that create a relative kinetic coefficient of friction therebetween that is substantially within a range of about 0.17 to about 0.47, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.22 to about 0.42, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.27 to about 0.37.
  • annular concave portion 50 has a beneficial effect of aligning and centering the diaper pail bag in order to enhance the effectiveness of the twist seal 120 that will be described in greater detail below and to optimize the space efficiency within the flexible bag 112 and within the internal storage space 13.
  • the sloped walls of the annular portion 50 will direct the center of mass of a lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 112 radially inwardly toward a longitudinal axis of the housing 12 of the diaper pail assembly 10.
  • the resulting expansion will tend to occur radially outwardly and evenly in all directions, thus taking advantage of the entire storage space 13 within the housing 12 in a space-efficient manner.
  • more diapers may be stored within the diaper pail assembly 10 before it needs to be emptied than would otherwise be the case.
  • Diaper pail assembly 10 further preferably includes a rotatable sealing and gripping member 54 that is constructed and arranged to create a restricted portion within the flexible diaper pail bag 112 in order to provide a temporary odor seal. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by gripping and twisting the flexible diaper pail bag 112 in order to provide a temporary seal, as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the restricted portion could be created by pinching or folding a portion of the flexible bag 112 instead of by twisting it.
  • a transmission mechanism 56 is provided for causing rotation of the rotatable sealing member 54 for a predetermined rotational distance when the lid member 14 is moved from the open position shown in FIGURE 1 to the closed position shown in FIGURE 2 .
  • Transmission mechanism 56 includes a push rod member 58, visible in FIGURES 1 and 12-14 , that is caused and constrained to slide linearly downwardly when the lid member 14 is closed and linearly upwardly when it is opened.
  • Transmission mechanism 56 is designed so as not to cause any movement of the rotatable sealing member 54 when the lid member 14 is pivoted upwardly from the closed position to the open position.
  • transmission mechanism 56 is constructed and arranged to cause the rotatable sealing member 54 to rotate a predetermined angular distance when the lid member 14 is closed.
  • this predetermined angular distance is substantially within a range of about 108 degrees to about 540 degrees, more preferably substantially within a range of about of about 120 degrees to about 450 degrees and most preferably substantially within a range of about 162 degrees to about 288 degrees.
  • Transmission mechanism 56 is depicted in greater detail in FIGURES 12-14 .
  • the push rod member 58 includes a toothed rack portion 60 that is best visible in FIGURE 13 .
  • the push rod member 58 is constrained to permit only vertical movement thereof with respect to the housing 12 by a slotted channel within the internal housing frame 70.
  • a rack engaging gear 59 is mounted for rotation with respect to the internal housing frame 70 in such a manner that it is permitted a limited amount of vertical movement with respect to the internal housing frame 70.
  • Rack engaging gear 59 has teeth that are operatively engaged with corresponding teeth on the toothed rack portion 60 when the rack engaging gear 59 is in its lowermost vertical position.
  • Transmission mechanism 56 further includes a second compound gear 62 having a first gear portion 68 and a second gear portion 69 that have common axes of rotation and are joined for common movement except when a predetermined transmission force therebetween is exceeded, when a clutch mechanism 63 will incrementally permit relative angular displacement therebetween in order to relieve internal forces within the transmission mechanism 56 and avoid damage to the diaper pail assembly 10.
  • the first gear portion 68 is operatively engaged with the rack engaging gear 59
  • the second gear portion 69 is operatively engaged with a third compound gear 65 having a first gear portion 66 and a second gear portion 67.
  • the third compound gear 65 is formed so that the first and second gear portions 66, 67 are integrally formed and are mounted for common rotation about a common axis.
  • the first gear portion 66 of the third compound gear 65 is in operative engagement with the second gear portion 69 of the second compound gear 62.
  • the second gear portion 67 of the third compound gear 65 is in operative engagement with a toothed rack portion 82 that is formed on an underside of a rotatable flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 that will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • the gear train mechanism 61 is operatively interconnected when the push rod member 58 moves downwardly, because the rack engaging gear 59 is in its lowermost vertical position and operatively engaged with the second compound gear 62. However, when the lid member 14 is pivoted upwardly from the closed position to the open position, the rack engaging gear 59 is lifted upwardly out of engagement with the second compound gear 62. Accordingly the gear train mechanism 61 will be disengaged and there will be no rotation of the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 when the lid member 14 is opened, which allows the twisted bag to remain closed.
  • the motion of pushing the waste package 118 downwardly through the twisted portion 120 may have the temporary effect of reducing the degree of twist in the twisted portion 120.
  • the amount of twist in the twisted portion 120 is increased, which reinforces the quality of the odor seal that is created by the twisted portion 120.
  • Clutch mechanism 63 includes two relatively slidable components that are biased together by a spring member 64, best shown in FIGURE 14 , which is operatively interposed between the second compound gear 62 and the internal housing frame 70.
  • the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 preferably includes a main body portion 71 having an outer flange 72 that defines an upper surface 74, which is preferably substantially flat. Alternatively, the upper surface 74 could be shaped so that it is slightly convex.
  • a plurality of retaining members 76 are defined as projections that are integral with a portion 78 of the internal housing frame 70. These are constructed and arranged to vertically constrain the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 so that is permitted to rotate with respect to the internal housing frame 70 but is precluded from upward vertical movement.
  • the retaining members 76 and the upper surface 74 of the outer flange 72 are preferably constructed and arranged to minimize relative friction therebetween.
  • the relative kinetic coefficient of friction between the retaining members and the upper surface 74 is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.12 to about 0.32, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.17 to about 0.27.
  • the relative static coefficient of friction between the retaining members and the upper surface 74 is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.23 to about 0.43, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.28 to about 0.38.
  • bearing members 77 are positioned to bear against a lower surface of a lower outer flange projection 73 of the outer flange 72.
  • Bearing members 77 are preferably fabricated out of a material having a relatively low coefficient of friction, such as nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyoxymethylene (POM). Most preferably, bearing members 77 are fabricated from POM.
  • FIGURE 15 also shows that the housing 12 preferably has a finger access recess 75 defined therein for permitting a parent or caregiver to place a finger against the lower surface 88 of the bag frame 90 in order to prise the bag frame 90 upwardly in order to disengage it from the housing 12. The consumer will perform such an action when removing the flexible bag assembly 110 from the diaper pail assembly 10.
  • the inherent flexibility of the bag frame 90 permits the bag frame 90 to be elastically deformed to the extent that is necessary to remove it from the housing 12 in this manner.
  • the main body portion 71 of the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 preferably includes an upper flange portion 84 having a narrow, convexly curved upper surface 86 that defines a low friction surface for supporting a lower surface 88 of a bag frame 90 that is part of a flexible bag assembly 110.
  • the upper surface 86 of the upper flange portion 84 preferably has a kinetic frictional coefficient with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.30 to about 0.50, and that is more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.35 to about 0.45. This ensures that the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 can simultaneously perform the function of supporting the underside of the bag frame 90 while being able to freely rotate with minimal friction.
  • the flexible bag assembly 110 will be described in greater detail below.
  • the main body portion 71 of the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 is preferably fabricated from a rigid plastic material, such as nylon, acetyl or POM, most preferably the latter, and preferably has a relatively low frictional coefficient with respect to like material.
  • the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 further includes a radially inner resilient portion 92 including a plurality of inwardly extending resilient finger members 94 that are configured to operatively interact with the flexible bag 112 in a complex manner that includes engaging the intermediate portion 113 of the flexible bag 112 to create a twisted portion 120 in order to effectively seal odors within the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag assembly 110 during use. This may be visualized by viewing FIGURE 20 .
  • the inner resilient portion 92 of the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 is also constructed in such a manner to make it easy for a parent or caregiver to push the lower portion 116 of the bag assembly 110 through the central portion of the inner resilient portion 92 during initial installation of a flexible bag assembly 110 into the diaper pail assembly 10. This is achieved through a combination of the unique shape of the individual resilient finger members 94, the shape of the spaces or slots 95 that are defined between the individual finger members 94 and the degree of elasticity and fiictional characteristics of both the finger members 94 and the outer and inner surfaces of the flexible bag 112.
  • FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of a flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54.
  • six resilient finger members 94 are spaced about an inner periphery of the main body portion 71 and extend radially inwardly to a central opening 96.
  • Six spaces or slots 95 are respectively defined between the adjacent finger members 94, with each of the finger members 94 and spaces 95 having substantially the same shape and dimensions in the preferred embodiment.
  • the shape of the finger members 94 and the slots 95 could be varied.
  • Each of the finger members 94 includes a distal, radially innermost end portion terminating at a convexly radiused tip 101 that is preferably shaped to have a radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm. More preferably, the convexly radius tips 101 are shaped to have radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 0.9 mm to about 1.9 mm. Tip portion 101 is also preferably thickened with respect to adjacent portions of the flexible fingers 94, as is discussed below.
  • Each of the finger members 94 is also preferably shaped so as to have a pair of side edges 98, 100, each of which is curved and preferably slightly concave so that each of the spaces defined by a pair of the opposing side edges 98, 100 is wider in a radially intermediate location than it is at the radially innermost location and a radially outermost locations.
  • the average radius of curvature of each of the side edges 98 is preferably substantially within a range of about 50 mm to about 400 mm, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 100 mm to about 250 mm.
  • the curvature of the opposing side edges 98, 100 can be substantially constant, or it can alternatively be variable or formed of two or more compound curves.
  • the finger members 94 are preferably shaped and sized so that at least one of the spaces 95, when in an unstressed position, has a first width W 1 at a first location 102, which is preferably at an intermediate radial location along the finger members 94 where the width of the space 95 is at a maximum.
  • the first location 102 is located substantially at a radial midpoint of the opposing adjacent finger members 94.
  • Each space 95 further has a second width W 2 at a second location 104, which is preferably near the distal end of the respective finger members 94 where the width is at a minimum.
  • the first width W 1 is preferably greater than the second width W 2 .
  • the space 95 further has a third width W 3 defined at a third location 106 that is preferably near the radially outermost, proximal end of the respective finger members 94 where the width is at a minimum.
  • the first width W 1 is preferably greater than the third width W 3 .
  • the first, second and third locations 102, 104, 106 are accordingly radially spaced from each other, with the first location 102 being radially intermediate between the second and third locations 104, 106.
  • the first width W 1 is preferably substantially within a range of about 3 mm to about 11 mm, more preferably substantially within a range of about 4.5 mm to about 9.5 mm, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 6 mm to about 8 mm.
  • the second width W 2 is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, and more preferably within a range of about 1.5 mm to about 3.5 mm.
  • a ratio of the first width W 1 to the second width W 2 is preferably substantially within a range of about 1.5 to about 4.0, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 2.0 to about 3.5.
  • the third width W 3 is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, and more preferably within a range of about 1.5 mm to about 3.5 mm.
  • a ratio of the first width W 1 to the third width W 3 is preferably substantially within a range of about 1.5 to about 4.0, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 2.0 to about 3.5.
  • FIGURES 18 and 19 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 18-18 and 19-19, respectively, in FIGURE 17 .
  • These figures show that each of the resilient finger members 94 includes an upper surface 97 that is curved concavely with a varying radius of curvature so that the radially outermost portion between the first and third locations 102, 106 as viewed in FIGURE 17 has a smaller radius of curvature and is therefore more curved than the radially innermost portion between the first and second locations 112, 104.
  • each of the resilient finger members 94 initially curves downwardly from its proximal connection to the main body portion 71 and then flattens out, extending substantially horizontally from its intermediate portion to its most distal portion.
  • the lower surfaces 99 accordingly have a convex curvature that is more pronounced in the proximal portion of the finger 94 than in the distal portion.
  • each of the respective resilient finger members 94 are also preferably spaced from the upper surface 97 so that each of the finger members 94 has a substantially constant thickness, which is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 1.0 mm to about 2.0 mm.
  • the distal, radially innermost tip portions 101 of the finger members 94 are preferably slightly thickened with respect to the adjacent blade portions, as is best shown in FIGURE 19 .
  • the thickened tip portions 101 preferably have a thickness that is preferably substantially within a range of about 1.0 mm to about 6.0 mm, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 1.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.
  • the resilient finger members 94 are preferably fabricated from a flexible elastomeric material, which is most preferably a plastic material such as a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) material having a Shore A hardness that is preferably substantially within a range of about 60 to about 120, is more preferably substantially within a range of about 70 to about 110 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 80 to about 100.
  • a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material or a thermoplastic resin (TPR) could be used.
  • the material from which the resilient finger members 94 are fabricated preferably has a static coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.70 to about 0.95, that is more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.80 to about 0.94 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.85 to about 0.89.
  • This material further preferably has a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.37 to about 0.67, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.42 to about 0.62 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.47 to about 0.57..
  • each of the resilient finger members 94 that will contact the flexible bag 112 preferably has a static coefficient of friction with respect to the external surface of the flexible bag 112 that is substantially within a range of about 0.59 to about 0.89, that is more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.64 to about 0.84 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.69 to about 0.79.
  • This material further preferably has a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to the external surface of the flexible bag 112 that is substantially within a range of about 0.34 to about 0.64, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.39 to about 0.59 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.44 to about 0.54.
  • the external surface of the flexible bag 112 is preferably fabricated from a material that has a static coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.18 to about 0.48, that is more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.23 to about 0.43 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.28 to about 0.38.
  • This material further preferably has a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.12 to about 0.47, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.15 to about 0.42 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.18 to about 0.38.
  • the internal surface of the flexible bag 112 is preferably fabricated from a material that has a static coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.17 to about 0.47, that is more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.22 to about 0.42 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.27 to about 0.37.
  • This material further preferably has a kinetic coefficient of friction with respect to like material that is substantially within a range of about 0.08 to about 0.38, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.13 to about 0.33 and that is most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.18 to about 0.28.
  • FIGURE 20 is a diagrammatical depiction of a diaper pail assembly 10 shown in operation.
  • a bag assembly 110 having a bag frame portion 90 that is attached to an upper portion 114 of a flexible bag 112 is installed by a parent or caregiver into the diaper pail assembly 10 by seating the bag frame 90 into the housing 12 of the diaper pail assembly 10 in a manner that will be described in greater detail below.
  • the parent or caregiver will then push the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 112 downwardly into the internal storage space 13 of the housing 12 by pushing it through the resilient flexible fingers 94 of the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54.
  • the lid member 14 is then closed, which causes the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54 to rotate by a predetermined angular distance to create a twisted portion 120 in the intermediate portion 113 of the flexible bag 112.
  • the parent or caregiver will use the diaper pail assembly 10 by inserting a waste load package 118 such as a used disposable diaper into the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 112 by pushing it downwardly through the twisted portion 120 of the intermediate portion 113 of the flexible bag 112. This is performed against the resistance bias that is applied by the resilience of the resilient finger members 94.
  • the tapered, leaf-like pattern of each resilient finger member 94 and space 95 helps the bag 112 slide along the opposed edges 98, 100 that define the.space 95.
  • the tapered, leaf-like pattern of each resilient finger member 94 and space 95 helps to reduce drag between the bag 112 and the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54.
  • the bottom portion 116 of the flexible bag 122 is not expected to move substantially with respect to the housing 12 during the creation of the twisted portion 120, particularly when it is weighted down by a number of waste packages 118. Accordingly, the degree of twist that is created in the flexible bag 112 by the rotation of the retaining and sealing member 54 when the lid member 14 is closed is expected to be comparable and at least equal to the predetermined amount of angular rotation of the retaining and sealing member 54.
  • the degree of twist in the flexible bag 112 will be more than the predetermined amount of angular rotation of the retaining and sealing member 54 after insertion of the second waste package 118, because a certain amount of residual twisting will remain in the twisted portion 120 even after the first waste package 118 is pushed through the twisted portion 120.
  • both the external and internal surfaces of the flexible bag 112 is also preferably treated with a friction reducing slip agent in order to further reduce drag between the bag 112 and the flexible bag retaining and sealing member 54.
  • the internal surface is further treated or impregnated with a blocking agent in order to further reduce internal friction both with respect to itself and with respect to the waste packages 118.
  • the inherent resilience of the flexible bag 112 at the twisted portion 120 in conjunction with the inward resilient bias that is imparted to the outer surface of the flexible bag 112 by the resilient finger members 94 keep the outermost portions of the waste package 118 tightly against the inner surface of the flexible bag 112, which maintains an effective odor seal even during insertion of the waste package 118 into the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 112. This minimizes leakage of odor from the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 12 through the twisted portion 120 where it could be detected by the parent or caregiver.
  • powder material such as sodium bicarbonate is dispensed from the powder disperser 40 into the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112, above the twisted intermediate portion 113.
  • the powder material is retained in the upper portion 114 above the twisted intermediate portion 113 of the flexible bag 112 for a period of time before a portion of it is swept by the parent or caregiver into the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag as the parent of caregiver pushes a waste package 118 downwardly through the twisted intermediate portion 113.
  • the powder material accordingly deodorizes or absorbs odor in the upper area of the diaper pail assembly 10 for a period of time when it is positioned within the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112, and later in the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 112.
  • the powder material which is preferably sodium bicarbonate, has a preferred granularity that is expressed as a mean particle size maximum dimension that is substantially within a range of about 40 microns to about 140 microns. More preferably the mean particle size maximum dimension is substantially within a range of about 60 microns to about 120 microns and most preferably substantially within a range of about 80 microns to about 100 microns.
  • the powder material also preferably has a bulk density that is substantially within a range of about 48 lb/ft 3 to about 78 lb/ft 3 , more preferably within a range of about 53 lb/ft 3 to about 73 lb/ft 3 and most preferably within a range of about 58 lb/ft 3 to about 68 lb/ft 3 .
  • FIGURE 21 is a top elevational view of a flexible bag assembly 110 that may be used in the method according to the invention.
  • Flexible bag assembly 110 includes a flexible bag 112 that is pleated so as to permit the lower portion 116 of the flexible bag 112 to expand to a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the flexible bag 112 at its point of attachment to the bag frame 90.
  • Bag frame 90 is preferably fabricated from a plastic material such as high density polyethylene, and includes a first portion 120 that is generally semicircular in shape and a second portion 122 that is also generally semicircular in shape.
  • Bag frame 90 defines an upper surface 121, as is shown in FIGURE 21 , and a lower surface 88 that is best shown in FIGURE 22 .
  • Bag frame 90 is preferably constructed so as to be foldable about a hinge portion 124 from the open position that is shown in FIGURES 21 and 22 to the closed position that is shown in FIGURE 25 . In the closed position that is shown in FIGURE 25 , the closure of the bag frame 90 effectively closes the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112 and prevents odors from escaping from the flexible bag 112.
  • the bag frame 90 when in the closed position forms a convenient handle that is shaped and sized for a consumer to conveniently grip in order to carry the flexible bag 112, together with any waste load packages 118 that are stored therein, to a location that is remote from the diaper pail assembly 10 for final disposal of the flexible bag 112 and the waste load packages 118.
  • the hinge portion 124 is preferably integrally molded into the bag frame 90 and is formed as a linear area that has a reduced cross-sectional thickness, so as to permit folding of the bag frame 90 into the closed position.
  • the bag frame 90 further includes an annular inner surface 126 that defines a central opening 128 that forms the open end of the bag frame assembly 110 when the bag frame 90 is in the open position.
  • the central opening 128 is preferably substantially circular and preferably has a maximum inner lateral dimension or diameter D i that is substantially within a range of about 60 mm to about 180 mm. More preferably, the inner diameter Di is substantially within a range of about 85 mm to about 150 mm.
  • Bag frame 90 also preferably is constructed to have an outer circumferential surface 130 that is preferably substantially circular in shape and that defines a minimum outer diameter D o that is preferably within a range of about 90 mm to about 270 mm, more preferably within a range of about 120 mm to about 250 mm and most preferably within a range of about 140 mm to about 230 mm.
  • the inner diameter D i represents a first diameter of the flexible bag 112 at a location proximate the frame 90.
  • the flexible bag 112 at its lower portion 116 further includes a second diameter D L that is preferably the maximum diameter of the entire flexible bag 112.
  • the second diameter D L is depicted in FIGURE 20 , and should properly be measured for purposes of this document with the lower portion 116 of the bag 112 expanded to the maximum extent permitted by the construction of the bag 122 in a shape that is circular in transverse cross-section.
  • the second diameter D L is larger than the first diameter D i .
  • the second diameter D L is preferably substantially within a range of about 9 cm to about 40 cm, more preferably substantially within a range of about 13 cm to about 30 cm, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 15 cm to about 25 cm.
  • a ratio of the first diameter D i to the second diameter D L is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.20 to about 0.90, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.40 to about 0.75, and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.50 to about 0.70.
  • the flexible bag assembly 110 further is constructed so as to have a length that is preferably substantially within a range of about 30 cm to about 110 cm, more preferably within a range of about 40 cm to about 100 cm, and most preferably within a range of about 50 cm to about 80 cm.
  • a plurality of male, radially outwardly extending projections 132, 134, 136, 138 are preferably integrally formed in the bag frame 90 for permitting secure registration of the bag frame 90 with respect to the housing 12 of the diaper pail assembly 10 during use.
  • a plurality of recesses 133 are defined in the housing 12 for receiving the respective projections 132, 134, 136, 138 in such a manner that the bag frame 90 is secured against rotation relative to the housing 12 and is securely oriented and aligned in a horizontal position when the projections 132, 134, 136, 138 are received within the respective recesses 133.
  • a retaining projection 135 is preferably provided in each of the respective recesses 133 for releasably locking the respective projection 132, 134, 136, 138 within the respective recess 133.
  • the retaining projections 135 are preferably fabricated from a substantially rigid plastic material and are integral with the housing 12 of the diaper pail assembly 10. The inherent flexibility of the material from which the bag frame 90 is fabricated permits the parent or caregiver to manipulate the bag frame 90 into the secured position wherein each of the projections 132, 134, 136, 138 are positioned beneath the respective retaining projections 135. Similarly, the inherent flexibility of the bag frame 90 is utilized when removing the bag frame 90 from the housing 12.
  • Releasable locking structure 140 is also preferably provided on the bag frame 90 in order to permit the parent or caregiver to releasably lock the bag frame 90 into the closed position that is shown in FIGURE 25 .
  • the releasable locking structure 140 includes a curved female recess 142 that is defined in the first portion 120 of the bag frame 90 and a mating curved male projection 144 that is defined in the second portion 122 of the bag frame 90.
  • the curved mating portions 142, 144 advantageously and preferably extend along most of the outer periphery of the respective portions 120, 122 of the bag frame 90 in order to effectively retain odors within the flexible bag assembly 110 when it is in the closed position shown in FIGURE 25 .
  • the releasable locking structure 140 accordingly is constructed and arranged to define an effective odor seal as well as a locking mechanism to retain the bag frame 90 in the closed position.
  • the curved mating portions 142, 144 preferably have a substantially constant radius and preferably subtend an angular distance that is preferably substantially within a range of about 90° to about 179°, more preferably within a range of about 120° to about 179° and most preferably within a range of about 150° to about 179°. The larger the angular distance covered by the curved mating portions 142, 144, the more effective odor seal will be created by the releasable locking structure 140.
  • FIGURE 22 which is a bottom plan view of the bag frame 90 shown in the open position
  • the male, radially extending projections 132, 134, 136, 138 are preferably staggered about the outer periphery of the bag frame 90 so that the projection pairs 134, 138 and 132, 136 are adjacent to each other but do not fully overlap when in the closed position shown in FIGURE 25 .
  • the projections 132, 134, 136, 138 are spaced so that there is a slight but not full overlap between the corresponding projection pairs 134, 138 and 132, 136.
  • each of the projections 132, 134, 136, 138 is preferably constructed so as to have an outer surface that is convexly about a radial center locus 147.
  • the radial center locus 147 of the projection 134 is preferably spaced a first distance L 1 from a vertical transverse centerline of the bag frame 90 and a second distance L 2 from a horizontal transverse centerline as viewed in bottom plan as shown in FIGURE 22 .
  • the radial center locus 147 of the projection 132 is preferably spaced by the second distance L 2 from the vertical transverse centerline and by the first distance L 1 from the horizontal centerline.
  • the projection 138 is preferably spaced by the first distance L 1 from the horizontal centerline and by the second distance L 2 from the vertical centerline, and the projection 136 is preferably spaced by the first distance L 1 from the vertical centerline and by the second distance L 2 from the horizontal centerline.
  • the first distance L 1 is less than the second distance L 2 . More preferably, the first distance L 1 has a ratio with respect to the second distance L 2 that is preferably substantially within a range of about 0.60 to about 0.95 and that is more preferably within a range of about 0.75 to about 0.90. In an alternative embodiment, the first distance L 1 could be greater than the second distance L 2 .
  • the female curved mating portion 142 of the releasable locking structure 140 preferably has a small projection 150 defining an undercut for receiving and retaining the male curved mating portion 144 in the locked position.
  • the male curved mating portion 144 also preferably includes a projection 148 for engaging the projection 150 in the female curved mating portion 142.
  • the female and male mating portions 142, 144 are shown in the secured positions in FIGURES 28-30 .
  • the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112 has a complex and advantageous construction in order to ensure secure attachment to the lower surface 88 of the bag frame 90. It is preferably die cut in order to correspond to the shape of the bag frame 90.
  • a film reinforcement insert 154 is bonded to a portion of the lower surface 88 that includes areas of the first and second portions 120, 122 as well as the hinge portion 124.
  • the film reinforcement insert 154 is preferably fabricated from a film material that is substantially identical in construction to the film material from which the flexible bag 112 is fabricated. It increases the strength of the seal that is formed between the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag in the lower surface 88 of the bag frame 90. It also provides the additional benefit of providing some reinforcement to the hinge portion 124.
  • the film reinforcement insert 154 is shown in isolation in FIGURE 27 and includes a first portion 156 that is bonded to the first portion 120 of the bag frame 90, as shown in FIGURE 22 , and a second portion 160 that is bonded to the second portion 122 of the bag frame 90.
  • the film reinforcement insert 154 is preferably tacked or heat sealed to the lower surface 88 using a hot tool such as a hot tip soldering iron prior to the assembly of the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112 to the bag frame 90.
  • the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112 further preferably includes a primary seal portion 162 that is bonded, tacked or heat sealed to a semicircular portion of each of the first and second portions 120, 122 of the bag frame 91 on the lower surface 88.
  • the primary seal portion 162 is integral with the upper portion 114 and includes a first end 164, an opposite second end 166 and a curved central portion 168.
  • the first and second ends 164, 166 preferably respectively have broadened end portions that in the preferred embodiment are substantially circular.
  • the first and second ends 164, 166 are bonded by heat sealing to the respective film reinforcement inserts 154, which enhances the strength of the ultimate bond between the first and second ends 164, 166 and the underside 88 of the bag frame 90.
  • each pleat 176 includes three plies 182, 184, 186 of the film material 190 from which the flexible bag 112 is fabricated, with a first fold 178 being defined between the first and second plies 182, 184 and a second fold 180 being defined between the second and third plies 184, 186.
  • Each of the pleats 176 is preferably substantially parallel to adjacent pleats and is preferably oriented so as to extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the flexible bag assembly 110 that is substantially perpendicular to the transverse plane in which the bag frame 90 is positioned during use.
  • the flexible bag 112 preferably includes at least two pleats 176 around the outer periphery, more preferably at least four pleats 176 and most preferably at least six pleats 176. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible bag 112 has eight pleats 176.
  • FIGURE 28 is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along lines 28-28 in FIGURE 25 .
  • the primary seal 162 is constructed and arranged so that all three plies of the upper portion 114 are bonded to each other, with the inwardmost ply 182 being directly bonded to the lower surface 88 of the bag frame 90.
  • FIGURE 29 which is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along lines 29-29 and FIGURE 25 .
  • FIGURE 30 is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along lines 30-30 in FIGURE 25 , showing a portion of the primary seal 162 at a portion of the upper flexible bag portion 114 between adjacent pleats 176. In this location, which is between adjacent pleats 176, only a single layer of the film material 190 overlies the lower surface 88 of the bag frame 90.
  • a bag assembly 110 also preferably and advantageously includes a plurality of secondary seals 170 that are formed in the upper portion 114 of the flexible bag 112 in an area that is closely adjacent to the bag frame 90.
  • the flexible bag 112 is preferably fabricated by welding two sheets of the film material 190 together. One of the sheets forms the portion of the flexible bag 112 that is bonded to the first portion 120 of the bag frame 90, while the other of the sheets forms a portion of the flexible bag 112 that is bonded to the second portion 122 of the bag frame 90.
  • Each secondary seal includes a first end 172 and a second end 174, and is formed by creating a supplemental heat seal or weld of the two sheets of the film material 190 together slightly beneath the bag frame 190, as is shown in FIGURE 25 .
  • the first end 172 of the secondary seal 170 is preferably separated from the bag frame 90 by a small distance D s that is preferably substantially within a range of about 1 mm to about 12 mm, more preferably within a range of about 3 mm to about 9 mm and most preferably within a range of about 4 mm to about 7 mm.
  • the film material 190 preferably is fabricated from a material that substantially prevents transmission of odors therethrough and that is substantially liquid impervious.
  • a preferred embodiment of the film material 190 is diagrammatically shown in FIGURE 31 and includes a first outer layer 192 that defines the outer surface of the flexible bag 112, a second layer 194, a third layer 196, a fourth layer 198, a fifth layer 200, a sixth layer 202, and a seventh, inner layer 204 that defines the inner surface of the flexible bag 112.
  • the film material 190 preferably has a total thickness that is preferably substantially within a range of about 15 ⁇ m to about 45 ⁇ m, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 20 ⁇ m to about 40 ⁇ m.
  • the first and seventh external layers 192, 204 are fabricated to ensure durability and their ability to be heat sealed together and to the bag frame 90.
  • these layers are preferably fabricated using a slip agent in order to ensure that the coefficients of friction are within the predetermined ranges described above.
  • the slip agent which is preferably cis-13-Docosenoamide, CAS NO.: 112-84-5 , decreases the engagement between the film material 190 and the bag-engaging surfaces of the finger members 94 both when the lower portion 116 is pushed downwardly by the user through the finger members 94, and when the intermediate portion 113 of the bag member 112 is engaged and twisted by the finger members 94.
  • the first and seventh external layers 192, 204 each both preferably have a thickness that is substantially within a range of about 2.75 ⁇ m to about 6.75 ⁇ m, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 3.75 ⁇ m to about 5.75 ⁇ m.
  • the most preferable dimensions are shown in Table 1.
  • An anti-block agent is also preferably provided in the external layers 192, 204 in order to prevent the film material from sticking together.
  • a zeolite preferably CAS NO: 1318-02-1 , is used.
  • the second and six layers 194, 202 are fabricated to ensure durability and preferably include a pigmentation agent in order to provide a desired coloration.
  • a slip agent is also preferably included in these layers 194, 202, which is preferably cis-13-Docosenoamide, CAS NO.: 112-84-5 .
  • the second and six layers 194, 202 each both preferably have a thickness that is substantially within a range of about 3.25 ⁇ m to about 7.25 ⁇ m, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 4.25 ⁇ m to about 6.25 ⁇ m.
  • the most preferable dimensions are shown in Table 1.
  • the second and sixth layers 194, 202 could be integrated into the first and seventh outer layers 192, 204 in order to create a five layered material.
  • the thickness of each combined layer would preferably be substantially within a range of about 8.0 ⁇ m to about 12.0 ⁇ m, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 9.0 ⁇ m to about 11.0 ⁇ m.
  • the third and fifth layers 196, 200 are tie layers having the function of binding the respective adjacent layers together.
  • an anhydride-modified linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) adhesive resin is used, such as Dupont 41E687.
  • the third and fifth layers 196, 200 each both preferably have a thickness that is substantially within a range of about 1.75 ⁇ m to about 5.75 ⁇ m, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 2.75 ⁇ m to about 4.75 ⁇ m. The most preferable dimensions are shown in Table 1.
  • the fourth, middle layer 198 is a barrier layer that ensures that the film material 190 is substantially impervious to liquids and odor transmission. It preferably has a thickness that is substantially within a range of about 0.50 ⁇ m to about 4.50 ⁇ m, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 1.50 ⁇ m to about 3.50 ⁇ m. The most preferable dimensions are shown in Table 1.
  • the respective layers most preferably have a construction and a thickness as described in the following table: TABLE 1 Base Material Thickness (um / inch / % of total) 1st layer (Outer layer) 66.0% mLLDPE + 30.0% LDPE + 3.8% slip agent + 0.2% anti-block agent by weight 4.75um / 0.00019" / 15.8% -mLLDPE is preferably ExxonMobil 1018FA -LDPE is preferably ExxonMobil LD100 series -Slip agent is preferably cis-13-Docosenoamide, CAS NO.: 112-84-5 - Anti-block agent is preferably Zeolite, CAS NO : 1318-02-1 2nd layer 66.3% mLLDPE + 28.5% LDPE + 3.8% slip agent + 1.4% colorant by wt 5.25um / 0.00021" / 17.5% -mLLDPE is preferably ExxonMobil 1018FA -LDPE is preferably Exxon
  • EVOH most preferably Nippon Gohsei ET3803 5th layer - Tie layer 3.75um / 0.00015" / 12.5%
  • a anhydride-modified linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) adhesive resin most preferably Dupont 41E687 6th layer 66.3% mLLDPE + 28.5% LDPE + 3.8% slip agent + 1.4% colorant by wt 5.25um / 0.00021" / 17.5% -mLLDPE is preferably ExxonMobil 1018FA -LDPE is preferably ExxonMobil LD100 series -Slip agent is preferably cis-13-Docosenoamide, CAS NO.: 112-84-5 -Colorant is preferably SPEM-5M1629 7th layer (Inner layer) 66.0% mLLDPE + 30.0% LDPE + 3.8% slip agent + 0.2% anti-block agent by weight 4.75

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Refuse Receptacles (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Verfahren zur Lagerung gebrauchter Windeln für die Entsorgung, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
    Installieren einer Sackanordnung (110), die einen gefalteten flexiblen Sack (112) umfasst, der an einem angelenkten Rahmenglied (90) angebracht ist, in einem Windelentsorgungssystem (10), wobei der gefaltete flexible Sack (112) einen ersten Durchmesser an einem ersten oberen Abschnitt (114) und einen zweiten Durchmesser hat, der an einem zweiten unteren Abschnitt (116) größer als der erste Durchmesser ist, so dass der zweite untere Abschnitt (116) des gefalteten flexiblen Sacks in einem Lagerraum (13) des Windelentsorgungssystems (10) angeordnet ist,
    Befestigen des angelenkten Rahmenglieds (90) an einem Gehäuse (12), so dass das angelenkte Rahmenglied (90) gegen Drehung bezüglich des Gehäuses (12) gesichert ist,
    Platzieren mindestens einer gebrauchten Windel in den gefalteten flexiblen Sack (112) und
    Entfernen der Sackanordnung (110) aus dem Windelentsorgungssystem (10) und Klappen des angelenkten Rahmenglieds (90), um den gefalteten flexiblen Sack (112) zu schließen und einen Traggriff zu bilden.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Schritt des Befestigens des angelenkten Rahmenglieds (90) an dem Gehäuse (12) durch Positionieren einer Vielzahl von an dem angelenkten Rahmenglied (90) angeordneten Laschengliedern (132) in entsprechende Aussparungen (133), die in dem Gehäuse (12) definiert sind, durchgeführt wird.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Schritt des Installierens des gefalteten flexiblen Sacks (112) das Schieben des zweiten unteren Abschnitts (116) des gefalteten flexiblen Sacks (112) durch eine Öffnung (96), die durch eine Vielzahl von federnden Fingergliedern (94) definiert ist, aufweist.
  4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Vielzahl von federnden Fingergliedern (94) einen Sackeingriffsabschnitt haben, der so konstruiert und angeordnet ist, dass er bezüglich ähnlichen Materials einen Gleitreibungskoeffizienten in einem Bereich von 0,37 bis 0,67 hat.
  5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Öffnung (96) in einer nicht gespannten Position einen Mindestdurchmesser hat, der im Bereich von 3 mm bis 13 mm liegt.
EP10827353.3A 2009-10-30 2010-10-22 Verfahren zur entsorgung von gebrauchten windeln Active EP2493784B1 (de)

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Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/609,703 US20110099950A1 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System and method for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,771 US8635838B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,844 US20110099945A1 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System and method for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,842 US8739501B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,801 US8833592B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System and method for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,850 US10343842B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System and method for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,743 US20110099956A1 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System and method for disposing waste packages such as diapers
US12/609,836 US8567157B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2009-10-30 System for disposing waste packages such as diapers
PCT/US2010/053768 WO2011053530A2 (en) 2009-10-30 2010-10-22 System and method for disposing waste packages such as diapers

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CN111942673B (zh) * 2020-08-21 2022-02-01 张娜娜 一种医疗垃圾袋自动捆扎收集机器人
CN112550993B (zh) * 2020-12-18 2024-05-14 安徽机电职业技术学院 一种便于清理的防污垃圾桶
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2782539A1 (en) 2011-05-05
EP2493784A2 (de) 2012-09-05
WO2011053530A2 (en) 2011-05-05
WO2011053530A3 (en) 2011-11-03
EP3659947A1 (de) 2020-06-03
CA2782539C (en) 2020-01-28
EP2493784A4 (de) 2016-04-13

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