US20060045391A1

US20060045391A1 - Disposal bag

Info

Publication number: US20060045391A1
Application number: US10/931,620
Authority: US
Inventors: Karin Reglar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-01
Filing date: 2004-09-01
Publication date: 2006-03-02

Abstract

A disposal bag (1) which allows a person to discreetly and sanitarily dispose of personal hygiene items, such as feminine napkins, tampons, adult diapers, baby diapers and the like. The disposal bag (1) is comprised of an opaque bag portion (2) and a means for sealing (3). The opaque bag portion (2) hides the contents of the disposal bag (1) while the sealing means (3) maintains the hygiene items in the disposal bag (1) and prevents foul odors from escaping. The disposal bag (1) is preferably made of a material that produces little to no sound when handled.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to disposal bags, more specifically, a disposal bag for the placement of personal hygiene items, such as feminine napkins, tampons, adult undergarments and the like.
Although menstruation is a normal biological process in a female's life, many find the subject embarrassing. Moreover, both men and women are especially anxious when speaking about or dealing with the items used during menstruation, namely feminine napkins and tampons.
Feminine hygiene product companies have become increasingly aware of female's concerns about being discreet and have, over the years, created feminine napkins and tampons that are small enough for a female to easily hide in a purse. In fact, some companies have even created feminine hygiene products that will fit in the palm of a hand. Although these smaller feminine hygiene products have greatly improved a woman's ability to hide feminine hygiene products for use, nothing has been done to improve a woman's ability to hide feminine hygiene products after use.
Oftentimes, a woman will simply flush the used product down the toilet. Although she has flushed away any evidence that she is using a feminine hygiene product, her actions could have costly consequences down the road. Over time, the flushed feminine hygiene products could eventually become lodged in a plumbing system. The only way to remedy this type of situation is to contact a plumber who may have to remove the piping in order to dislodge and remove the used feminine hygiene products.
In other instances, females will simply wrap the used feminine hygiene product in a wad of toilet paper and throw it into a nearby trash can. Although this method of disposal will not cause any plumbing problems, much toilet paper is needlessly wasted and other persons who use the restroom will see the wadded-up toilet paper in the trash can. Thus, the menstruating female will not be able to mask the fact that she is using the feminine hygiene product.
In addition to embarrassment, unsanitary conditions are created when a woman simply wraps the used feminine hygiene product in toilet paper and throws it into a nearby trash can. If in a public restroom, cleaning men and women must empty out a trash can containing items with blood. Although the item is wrapped, sometimes women do not wrap the used feminine hygiene product well, thus allowing the toilet paper to unravel and expose the used product. If in a private restroom, other family members or even pets may discover the wrapped up item and open, revealing an unpleasant surprise. In addition, the used product could produce an unpleasant smell.
Not only do feminine hygiene products cause this type of embarrassment and unsanitary conditions, but other personal hygiene products, such as diapers for adults and babies, liners and underpads, cause the same type of anxieties and concerns.
Thus, the need exists for a discreet and sanitary device for the acceptance of used personal hygiene products.

The relevant prior art includes the following patents:



Pat. No. (U.S.
unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue Date

5,950,818	Paulsen	09-14-1999
5,287,960	Kalb et al.	02-22-1994
5,902,047	Yeager	05-11-1999
4,186,786	Kirkpatrick	02-05-1980
5,884,771	McCormick	03-23-1999
5,579,916	Manko	12-03-1996
6,393,614	Eichelbaum	05-28-2002
5,988,386	Morrow	11-23-1999

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a disposal bag for the discreet disposal of personal hygiene products.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a disposal bag that is opaque so as to hide the contents of the bag.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a disposal bag that makes little to no sound when handled.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a disposal bag that is sealable.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a disposal bag that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a disposal bag comprised of an opaque bag portion and a means for sealing. The bag portion is opaque so as to hide the contents of the bag. The means for sealing may be adhesive, clips, snaps or a zipper so as to securely seal the bag and the contents located therein.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a frontal plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a frontal plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a downward view of an open end of the embodiment of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

- 1. disposal bag
- 2. bag portion
- 3. means for sealing
- 4. feminine napkin
- 5. zipper
- 6. tampon
- 7. snaps
- 8. open end
- 9. closed end
- 10. adhesive strip

With reference to FIG. 1, a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The disposal bag 1 has an opaque bag portion 2 and a means for sealing 3. The bag portion 2 is opaque so as to hide the contents, for example, a feminine napkin 4, of the disposal bag 1. The sealing means is preferably a zipper 5, which allows a person to securely seal the contents of the disposal bag 1. To use the present invention, a person simply inserts the item he or she wishes to discard into the open end 8 of the disposal bag 1. Then, the person seals the bag 1 via the sealing means 3. Because the bag portion 2 has a closed bottom end 9, the contents are now sealed within the disposal bag 1.
In FIG. 2, a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The disposal bag 1 utilizes snaps 7 as a means for sealing 3. In addition, the bag portion 2 is longer and narrower so as to accommodate a tampon 6.
Referring to FIG. 3, a downward view of the open end 8 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is shown. The tampon 6 is placed in the disposal bag 1 so as to be completely surrounded by the bag portion 2.
In FIG. 4, a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The disposal bag 1 utilizes an adhesive strip 10 as its sealing means 3 so as to prevent the contents of the disposal bag 1 from falling out. The adhesive strip 10 is preferably located on the inner portions of the open end 8.
The present invention is preferably made of a plastic material that produces little to no noise when handled so as to afford greater discretion. In addition, the disposal bags 1 may come in a variety of shapes and sizes so as to accommodate various sized personal hygiene products, such as feminine napkins, tampons, adult diapers, baby diapers, liners, underpads and any other personal hygiene item where discreet and sanitary disposal is desired.
The use of the present invention will allow persons to discreetly dispose of personal hygiene items in a sanitary manner.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A disposal bag comprising:

an opaque bag portion having an open end and a closed end; and

a means for sealing said opaque bag portion open end.

2. The disposal bag of claim 1 wherein:

said means for sealing is at least one snap.

3. The disposal bag of claim 1 wherein:

said means for sealing is adhesive.

4. The disposal bag of claim 1 wherein:

said means for sealing is at least one zipper.

5. A method for using a disposal bag comprising an opaque bag portion; and

a means for sealing said opaque bag portion, said method comprising the steps of:

a. a user unsealing said opaque bag portion;

b. the user inserting at least one personal hygiene item; and

c. the user sealing said means for sealing.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein:

said sealing means is at least one snap.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein:

said sealing means is adhesive.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein:

said sealing means is at least one zipper.