US20070045483A1 - Disposal Bag And Support System - Google Patents
Disposal Bag And Support System Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070045483A1 US20070045483A1 US11/380,700 US38070006A US2007045483A1 US 20070045483 A1 US20070045483 A1 US 20070045483A1 US 38070006 A US38070006 A US 38070006A US 2007045483 A1 US2007045483 A1 US 2007045483A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bags
- bag
- support
- frame
- refuse
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65F1/141—Supports, racks, stands, posts or the like for holding refuse receptacles
- B65F1/1415—Supports, racks, stands, posts or the like for holding refuse receptacles for flexible receptables, e.g. bags, sacks
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- 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
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- 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
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
- B65F2220/00—Properties of refuse receptacles
- B65F2220/106—Collapsible
- B65F2220/1066—Collapsible telescopic
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
- B65F2220/00—Properties of refuse receptacles
- B65F2220/12—Properties of refuse receptacles nestable
Definitions
- Disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse in a various settings and for a multitude of applications. Whether it is in public facilities, restrooms, kitchens, offices or other settings where refuse is generated, disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse. Such bags are commonly used as liners for trash cans, waste bins, or other similar waste disposal units. The disposable bags, in such applications, are meant to protect the waste disposal unit from being fouled by any refuse so that the waste disposal unit does not require the frequent cleaning than would be needed if no such liner was used. This is particularly true in instances where the refuse may be wet or contain liquid. Such liners also make the collection and disposal of the refuse contained in a waste disposal unit more cleanly and convenient.
- such disposable bags are placed within the waste disposal unit in such a way that refuse is directed into the bag and does not fall between the bag and the interior side walls of the waste disposal unit.
- a plastic or flexible disposable bag is used as a liner
- the top of the bag is often folded over the open periphery of the waste bin, or is otherwise secured near the top of such a bin.
- paper, wax-coated paper, cellophane or plastic bags are often loosely placed in the bins, and rely on the structure of the bag to keep the bag upright and open to receive refuse.
- waste disposal units i.e., a trash can, a waste bin, recessed wall refuse container and the like.
- Such waste disposal units can be cumbersome to move to new locations or dispose of when they become damaged or exceptionally fouled. Replacement of such waste disposal units may be expensive. Additionally, such waste disposal units are not convenient for disposal of refuse in a temporary location or for a discrete period of time.
- the term “refuse” refers to something that is discarded as worthless, useless, or used up. It is generally directed to rubbish, trash, garbage, and may include, among other things, discarded sanitary products, kitchen waste, office waste, bathroom waste, household waste, yard and garden debris, and the like.
- sanitary products include, but are not limited to, feminine napkins, tampons, colostomy bags, ileostomy bags, male incontinence pads, baby diapers, disposable training pants for children, adult incontinence products including pads, disposable underwear, and so forth.
- fasteners means devices that fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together.
- Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, snap-fits, tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking male/female connectors, such as fishhook connectors, a fish hook connector includes a male portion with a protrusion on its circumference. Inserting the male portion into the female portion substantially permanently locks the two portions together.
- Couple includes, but is not limited to, joining, connecting, lo fastening, linking, or associating two things integrally or interstitially together.
- the term “configure” or “configuration” means to design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses. For example: a military vehicle that was configured for rough terrain; configured the computer by setting the system's parameters.
- Hinges refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of a part to a stationary component.
- Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, and living hinges.
- Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotable movement of one member in relation to another connected member.
- the term “substantially” refers to something which is done to a great extent or degree; for example, “substantially covered” means that a thing is at least 95% covered.
- alignment refers to the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines.
- orientation or “position” used interchangeably herein refer to the spatial property of a place where or way in which something is situated; for example, “the position of the hands on the clock.”
- waste disposal unit refers to a unit provided in a commercial or residential setting which is configured to receive refuse.
- waste disposal units include, disposal units such as sanitary disposal units, residential bathroom waste bins, residential kitchen refuse bins, commercial office waste bins, garbage cans, and the like.
- sanitary disposal unit refers to a unit provided on or in a wall or other structure of a public bathroom, that is, in the stall of each area containing a toilet, which is configured to receive sanitary products.
- an improved disposal bag system for disposing of refuse is desired. It would be desirable for such a system to provide a new empty disposal bag upon removal of an used disposal bag. In addition, such a system would desirably provide a safe and easy way for maintenance personnel to remove used disposal bags and seal them. Further, it would be desired that such a disposal bag system provide the user with additional functionalities to enhance the operation of the system, improve the system in use, and make the disposal of the refuse clean and easy. Finally, it is desired to have an easily transportable waste disposal system that may be placed wherever such a system is needed. Such a waste disposal system would desirably be used with an existing waste disposal unit or as a replacement of such a unit.
- the present invention is directed to a system for disposal of refuse, including a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support such that one bag of the plurality of bags is held in an opened position to receive refuse and when the one bag is removed, another bag of the plurality of bags is readily available for disposal of refuse.
- the support has an upper support surface and at least one leg and is configured to be folded into a folded configuration. In some embodiments, from the folded configuration, the support may be erected manually or in other embodiments the support may self-erect from the folded configuration.
- the system may be adapted to fit within a waste disposal unit and prevent refuse from falling between the system and the interior walls of the waste disposal unit.
- the support may be configured to hold the plurality of bags while holding the upper edge of the one bag of the plurality of bags coupled to the upper support surface of the support, the support configured to hold the one bag in an opened position.
- a system may further include a holder pivotally coupled to the support and such a holder may be positioned over the upper support surface of the support to hold the open end of a bag on the upper support surface.
- the plurality of bags may be a continuous web of bags where the closed end of preceding bags are attached to the open end of the subsequent bag.
- a web of bags may be a roll of bags.
- the web of bags may be contained and dispensed from a container.
- Another embodiment of the system includes a frame to which the plurality of bags are attached in a nested configuration and are held open for the disposal of refuse.
- Such frames may have bonding material to attach them to the upper support surface of the support, may be made of a plurality of laminate frames, have frame indicia, provide an odor control enhancement, have a cinch to secure the frame to the upper support surface, or any combination of such features.
- the bags attached to such frames may have tabs and, or alternative, may have lines of weakness to facilitated removal of the bags from such frames.
- the bags of the plurality of bags may have pull indicia, an lo odor control enhancement, a bonding material to close and seal the bags for disposal, or any combination of such features.
- the support may provide an odor control enhancement.
- the present invention is also directed to a system for disposal of refuse, including a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support, where the support is configured to be folded and restrained in a folded configuration, but will self-erect into an erect configuration when unrestrained.
- FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a support of the present invention in a folded configuration
- FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the support of FIG. 1B in an erected configuration, along with a plurality of bags, according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1B and showing a holder pivotably mounted to the support, the holder in an upright position;
- FIG. 3A is a perspective of another disposal system of the present invention in a restrained, folded configuration
- FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the disposal system of FIG. 3B in an unrestrained and self-erected configuration
- FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view of a multiple laminate frame and bag assembly with a support, according the present invention
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another disposal system according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another disposal system according to the present invention and illustrating various bag enhancements.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another disposal system of the present invention, the bag assembly having a flexible frame.
- the system of disposal of the present invention may be used for any refuse disposal needs.
- the invention is discussed and illustrated in terms of the specific needs and application for use in sanitary product disposal and other specific refuse disposal applications.
- Such examples are not intended to be limiting.
- Such concepts are applicable to not only to the specific refuse disposal applications discussed, but also to any waste disposal application that relies on refuse bags.
- the disposal systems 30 of the present invention are generally illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7 .
- the system 30 provides a plurality of bags 20 associated with a support 10 .
- the support 10 has at least one leg 12 and an upper support surface 14 such that when the support 10 is in its erected configuration, as shown in FIGS.1B . 2 , 3 B, and 4 - 7 , a bag 20 of the plurality of bags 20 may be held open to receive refuse.
- the filled bag 20 may be removed from the support 10 , and another bag 20 is ready to be held open on the support 10 to receive the subsequent refuse.
- the bags 20 may be provided in various formats, but all formats are associated with the support 10 in that one of the bags 20 is held up and open to readily accept refuse into such an open bag 20 and the rest of the plurality of bags 20 are held ready to replace the open bag 20 once it is filled.
- Such an association of bags 20 with the support may be individual bags 20 all held in reserve by the support 10 ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ), a web 55 of bags supplied along with and kept proximate to the support 10 ( FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5 ), bags 20 provided on a frame 70 , 130 that is supported by the support 10 , or any other configuration where a plurality of bags 20 are kept with the support 10 in such a way that the bags 20 are associated with the support 10 , as discussed above.
- the support 10 of the system 30 of the present invention has an upper support surface 14 and at least one leg 12 .
- the upper support surface 14 both supports the bags 20 and holds the bags 20 open during the disposal of refuse.
- the upper support surface 14 defines the opening 17 of the support 10 .
- Such an upper support surface 14 may be a fully enclosed perimeter 15 , as shown in FIGS.1B . 3 B, 5 , 6 and 7 , or may be discrete portions of the support 10 on which the bags 20 rest atop, such as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the support 10 is desirably tubular, but is not limited to such a structure. It may be formed from light-weight plastic, metal, cardboard, paperboard, or any combination thereof.
- the materials used for the support 10 are dependent upon the desired use, design of the support 10 , general design choice, and intended durability. One skilled in the art would understand how different materials would be appropriate for specific design criteria.
- the support 10 may have one or more legs 12 that elevate the upper support lo surface 14 for disposal of refuse. As shown in FIGS.1B . 2 , 6 and 7 , the support 10 may have multiple legs 12 . Alternatively, the support 10 may only have a single leg 12 .
- the support 10 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a helical compression spring design where the leg 12 is a single continuous portion of the support 10 that extends between the base 53 and the upper support surface 14 and elevates that upper support surface 14 above the base 53 .
- the support 10 may have one continuous leg 12 that is designed to both act as a base and elevate the upper support surface 14 .
- a single leg 12 may act as a stake that may be driven into the ground to support an upper support surface 14 and the plurality of bags 20 associated with the support 10 .
- the leg(s) 12 of the support 10 may have a foot 13 at the end of the leg 12 to provide a discrete base for the support 10 ( FIG. 4 ).
- the support 10 may have a full base 53 , such as shown in the designs illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 5 .
- the support 10 may be designed to not have a foot 13 or a base 52 (e.g., the leg 12 may function as a spike that is driven into the ground).
- the support 10 of the system 30 is additionally designed to make shipping and transport of the support 10 simple and convenient. This is accomplished by the support 10 being designed to fold down into a folded configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A .
- a “folded configuration” refers to a configuration of the support 10 that is folded to take up less space than when the support 10 . Where the support 10 is fully unfolded into its erected configuration. As shown in FIG. 1A , the folded configuration takes up less room than the fully erected system 30 , as shown in FIG. 1B .
- the folded configuration of the system 30 of FIGS. 1A and 1B only takes up the space that is inherent due to the dimensions of the support 10 itself, including overlapping legs 12 .
- the support 10 is designed to be folded by hinges 16 that connect the upper support surface 14 and the legs 12 of the support 10 .
- the legs 12 may be folded up to the underside of the upper support surface 14 .
- the folded configuration is acquired by pressing the upper support surface 14 toward the base 53 .
- the spring design support 10 is thus put in a compressed, folded state ( FIG. 3A ).
- the folded configuration of a system 30 of the type shown in FIG. 5 is formed by pressing down each of the mesh walls 19 of the support 10 toward the base 53 .
- Other systems 30 according to the present invention may have a folded configuration, as discussed here, or may have different folded configuration as determined by the unique configurations of each particular system 30 . In all such cases, the folded configuration puts the support 10 in a configuration that takes up less space than when the same support is fully erected, as necessary for the system 30 to be used for disposal of refuse.
- the support 10 of the present invention needs to be unfolded into its erect configuration for system 30 to be used for disposal of refuse.
- the support 10 may be designed to be unfolded manually such that the user would manipulate the leg(s) 12 from the folded configuration to the erect configuration.
- the support 10 may be configured to self-erect.
- Such a self-erecting support 10 would include springs, elastic members, or other structure, that is biased to the desired erect configuration necessary to support the assembly 10 and hold the bags 20 open for disposal of refuse.
- the self-erecting support 10 may need to be restrained to hold it in a substantially flat configuration and when unrestrained would return to its unrestrained open and erect configuration during use.
- the support 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a helical compression spring design. It is designed to be biased to the erect configuration shown in FIG. 3B .
- one or more clasps 51 would be required to keep the support 10 restrained in the folded (or compressed) configuration, shown in FIG. 3A .
- the size and shape of the system 30 may be any size and shape as appropriate for the desired use.
- the systems 30 illustrated in the figures are shown as generally rectangular, square or circular in shape, but they may be any shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, that is appropriate for the intended location, desired use, design choice, or any combination of such factors.
- the support 10 may be any size desired.
- the support may be of a size and shape to fit with bin of a waste disposal unit; it may be small enough to replace the bin in a sanitary disposal unit; it may be large enough to replace a trash bin in a home or a commercial setting; it may be large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris; or the support may be any other size adequate for the specific intended use.
- Such a support 10 may be configured, sized and shaped to work with an existing waste disposal unit or alternatively replace such a waste disposal unit.
- the bags 20 of the system 30 may be formed as one continuous unit having a shape which generally follows the rectangular shape and opening 17 of the support 10 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 7 .
- the bags 20 may be formed from one or two substantially flat panels which are heat sealed together to provide a generally rectangular bag.
- Each of the bags 20 includes an outer surface 27 and an inner surface 25 .
- An opening 32 is desirably provided along an upper edge 48 of an upper end 49 of the bag 20 .
- the configuration of the bag 20 is non-limiting, and any configuration for the bag 20 may be used.
- the bags 20 may be made of any material that is appropriate for the application lo and the refuse that is typically to be disposed of in such bags.
- refuse bags or waste receptacle liners are made from plastics such as polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other similar materials.
- the bags 20 may be made of a single ply of material or may be made from multiple plies of similar or dissimilar materials. Additionally, the bags 20 may be made from composites of films, nonwoven materials, woven materials, or combinations thereof.
- the bags 20 may incorporate elastic materials.
- the bags 20 may be puncture resistant. Different materials, substrate weights and thicknesses, elasticity, composite materials, and the like may be used in various combinations to provide the end user with a bag having the desired strength, flexibility, weight, puncture resistance, or other desired attributes.
- the number of bags 20 used with a particular system 30 is dependant on the desired use of such a system 30 and is a function of the particular use, convenience and design choice.
- the number of bags for a particular system 30 may be the number of bags 20 as are commonly removed during normal custodial intervals. If custodial staff empties a waste receptacle unit twice a day during a work week, it may be desired that the assemblies be equipped with ten bags.
- any number of bags may be effectively used in the system 30 of the present invention and would understand the balance between having enough bags to gain the efficiency of not having to replace bags with every disposal of a bag and having so many bags that the space for refuse is unacceptably limited.
- the bags 20 may be small enough to be used as a replacement for the bins commonly used in sanitary disposal units in public restrooms or may large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris.
- the bags 20 may be any size, shape and design as is appropriate for the particular intended use of the system 30 .
- the plurality of bags 20 may provided to the system 30 a variety of formats as appropriate for the intended use of the system 30 and the particular support 10 used.
- the bags 20 may a collection of individual bags 20 each having a tab portion 50 and a tab portion opening 52 .
- the tab portion opening 52 of such may be used to secure the bags 20 to an attachment flange 18 present on the upper support surface 14 of that particular support 10 .
- the bags 20 may be provided to the system 30 in a nested configuration and attached to a frame 70 , 130 that supports the bags 20 upon the upper support surface 14 .
- the bags 20 may be individually associated with laminate frames 41 and configured into a nested configuration, as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the bags 20 may alternatively be provided to the system 30 as a continuous web 55 of bags 20 .
- a continuous web 55 the closed end of a preceding bag is lo attached to the open end 32 of the following bag, such as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5 .
- the following bag 20 is then ready to be used to receive refuse.
- the closed end of the bag 20 receiving refuse will be attached to the web 55 .
- Such a continuous web 55 of bags 20 may be provided as a roll 56 of bags 20 ( FIG. 5 ), in fan-folded format, or any other format as is known in providing an continuous web. Regardless of format, the continuous web 55 of bags 20 may be contained and dispensed from a container 61 having a dispensing opening 63 , as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- the dispensing opening 63 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is associated with a container 61
- the dispensing opening 63 may alternatively be a portion of the support 10 , or a component attached to the support 10 , through which the web 55 of bags may be dispensed without a container 61 .
- the dispensing opening 63 may provide additional functionality to the system 30 .
- the dispensing opening 53 may be sized and shaped to help partially restrict the flow of the web 55 through the opening 63 , help separate the bags 20 upon removal of a filled bag 20 , hold the open end of a subsequent bag 20 once the preceding bag is removed, or may be configured for any combination of such functionalities.
- the bags 20 of the system 30 of the present invention may be provided as discussed here or they may be provided in other formats as are known.
- the formats discussed are only intended to be exemplary and are not intended to be limiting.
- the bags 20 may be provided to the system 30 in any format that provides a plurality of bags such that when a bag 20 is filled with refuse, it may be removed and another bag 20 is readily available for disposal of refuse.
- each bag 20 may include a bonding material 105 ( FIG. 6 ) which is desirably positioned on a surface of the bag 20 near the opening 32 of the bag 20 .
- the bonding material 105 may include, for example, but not by way of limitation, an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cohesive adhesive, such as a latex, and so forth.
- the bonding material 105 may additionally be covered by a release strip that would protect the bonding material 105 prior to use and could be removed when it is desired to securely close the bag 20 .
- the bags 20 may have a tab 93 that aids in removing a particular bag 20 from the system 30 .
- a tab 93 may additionally help securely close the bag.
- the tab 93 may be lo of a length to tie off a bag that has been twisted closed at its opening. Alternatively, more than one tab 93 may be present and such tabs could be tied together to close the bag 20 .
- drawstrings, ties, or other such similar components may be present on or associated with the bags 20 to aid in the secure closure and disposal of bags 20 filled with refuse.
- a sheet of cardboard or paperboard 107 may be treated with an odor sorbing material and included in or on the bags 20 .
- the sheet of paperboard 107 is desirably treated with an odor sorbing material such as activated carbon.
- activated carbon is NUCHAR SA activated carbon from Westco Corporation, New York, N.Y.
- NUCHAR SA activated carbon from Westco Corporation, New York, N.Y.
- a mixture of 100 grams sodium silicate at 38.3% solids and 19.2 grams of activated carbon is dispersed in 20 grams of water.
- a final coating formulation having a solids of about 41% was obtained with the solids content consisting of about 33% carbon and 67% binder.
- the carbon concentration of the coating was about 14%.
- This formulation was applied to an uncoated side of paperboard. Such as PRINTKOTE bleached paperboard (available from Westvaco Corporation, New York, N.Y.) using a No. 12 wire wound rod at a coat weight of about 26 lbs/ream (ream size 3000 ft 2 ) to a nominal thickness of about 1.2 mils.
- the weight of carbon in the applied coating was about 3.8 mg/in 2
- Coating formulations useful in the present invention desirably have a solids content of from about 30-45% depending upon the method of application. Coat weights may range from 3-26 lbs/ream, and the activated carbon content of the coating may range from about 20-95%, depending upon the degree of odor absorption desired.
- One method of applying activated carbon to paperboard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,916, to Parks, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- Another method of applying activated carbon to articles is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,424 to Bewick-Sonntag et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- adhesives such as pressure sensitive adhesives
- a binder permits the activated carbon to be applied to plastics and/or polymers.
- the inner surface 25 of the bags 20 may be treated with an activated carbon coating.
- Other activated carbon treatments, such as activated carbon ink, may be used as well for any portion of the bags 20 .
- the bag 20 itself may be treated or may be made of material that allows for easy removal of an individual bag from the plurality of bags 20 .
- One problem often encountered with nested materials is the tendency of bags 20 to be attracted to each other, due to static electric charge when an inner bag of the plurality of bags 20 is being removed from the plurality of bags 20 .
- the bags 20 may have an anti-static treatment or may be made of a reduced static-susceptible material such as ultra low density polyethylene.
- additional functionalities may be added to the bags
- the bags may have an anti-viral or anti-bacterial treatment associated within or on the bags. Such treatments may help reduce the bacteria or virus levels within the bags.
- Another possible functionality for the bags of the present invention is the incorporation of superabsorbent materials into the bags.
- superabsorbents could be added as a substrate to the bags or may be incorporated into the walls of the bags so to absorb any free liquid that may be present in the bags.
- FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 an exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 , and includes a support 10 having a upper support surface 14 providing an opening 17 that desirably is generally rectangular in shape.
- the support 10 desirably includes at least one leg 12 . In this particular instance, a pair of legs 12 is provided.
- the support 10 includes an attachment flange 18 which is coupled to the upper support surface 14 .
- the support 10 operates as a structure to hold a plurality of disposal bags 20 , which are desirable releasably coupled to the attachment flange 18 .
- the plurality of the bags 20 desirably each include a bag tab 50 having an bag tap opening therein 52 which permits the plurality of bags 20 to be coupled to the support 10 , as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2 .
- Each new bag 20 in the plurality of bags desirably is positioned such that its outer surface 27 near its upper edge 48 is positioned over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the release strips 36 covering the bonding material 105 on the inner surface 25 near the upper end 49 of the bag 20 are removed and deposited in the bag 20 .
- the bag tab 50 is lifted from the attachment flange 18 , and the sides of the bag 20 near the upper end 49 are pressed together so that the bonding material 105 provides closure and sealing of the bag 20 .
- a holder 80 may be used to assist in holding the bag 20 on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 , as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- the holder 80 is desirably pivotably coupled to the support 10 .
- the holder 80 is shown as a generally rectangular structure that closely follows the shape of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the holder 80 includes a lower surface 84 which contacts the upper support surface 14 .
- the lower surface 84 may include grooves (not shown) to permit the holder 80 to sit firmly on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the holder 80 assists in retaining the bag 20 on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 by providing weight and friction against the upper end 49 of the bag 20 so that the bag 20 does not pull away from the upper support surface 14 .
- the holder 80 desirably pivots upward, away from the upper support surface 14 so that the bag 20 may be removed therefrom.
- the holder 80 may be formed from metal, plastic, cardboard, and so forth.
- a plurality of disposable bags 20 which are coupled together desirably via there bag tabs 50 are provided.
- a support 10 is also desirably provided.
- the bags 20 are coupled to the support 10 via positioning the bag tab openings 52 in the bag tabs 50 over the attachment flange 18 .
- a first bag is disposed on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 by disposing its outer surface 27 adjacent its upper edge 48 over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the holder 80 is then positioned over the perimeter 18 of the support 10 so that the holder is positioned against the upper edge 48 of the bag 20 .
- the user can easily lift the holder 80 and detach the bag 20 via the bag tab 50 from the remaining plurality of empty bags 20 .
- the release strips positioned adjacent the inner surface 25 of the upper end 49 are removed and disposed in the bag 20 , and the sides of the bag are pressed together. In this manner, the bag 20 is configured to seal itself to provide a closure to the bag 20 .
- the next bag 20 in the plurality of bags 20 is desirably positioned over the support 10 , as previously described.
- the support 10 is a helical (or coil) compression spring design having a circular upper support surface 14 , a circular base 53 , and a helical leg 12 that extends between the upper support surface 14 and the base 53 .
- a support 10 may be a single, continuous tubular design or may be separate pieces that are joined together by any method or means as are known to join the particular materials used to make the individual pieces of such a support 10 .
- the base 53 includes the bottom turn of the coil design and a circular piece that covers the area within that bottom turn of the coil.
- the helical compression spring design of the support of FIGS. 3A and 3B is biased toward the erect configuration of FIG. 3B and is the shape the support 10 will assume when it is unrestrained.
- the folded configuration, shown in FIG. 3A is obtained by compressing the spring design and restraining the support 10 with a clasp 51 attached to the base 53 .
- the support 10 is more convenient to transport and store in this folded configuration. Prior use of the system 30 , the support 10 is unrestrained by removing the clasp 51 thus allowing the support 10 to self-erect to the erect configuration of FIG. 3B .
- the plurality of bags 20 are provided as a continuous web 55 of bags 20 contained within a container 61 , and dispensed through a dispensing opening 63 in the top of the container 61 .
- the container 61 may be releaseably attached to the base 53 , such that the container 61 may be held in place during use, but may easily be removed once the web 55 of bags 20 is consumed and replaced with a new container 61 with a new web 55 of bags 20 .
- Such attachment to the base 53 may be accomplished with a pressure sensitive adhesive, double-sided tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, or some other similar type of fastener.
- the web 55 of bags 20 is pulled from the container 61 and a first bag 20 is disposed on the upper support surface 14 of the bag holder 10 by disposing its outer surface 27 adjacent its upper edge 48 over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the user can detach the bag 20 from the continuous web 55 of bags and the next bag 20 is desirably position over the support 10 , as previously described.
- FIG. 5 Another exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- the system 30 shown in FIG. 5 is similar in operation to the system 30 as shown and described for FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- the plurality of bags 20 is provided to the system 30 as a continuous web 55 of bags in a roll 56 format.
- a roll holder 57 connected to the base 53 of the support 10 is used to hold the roll 56 in place during use of the system 30 .
- the support 10 of FIG. 5 is generally cube-shaped with an opening 17 at the top defined by the upper support surface 14 , a base 53 , and legs 12 and mesh side walls 19 on all four sides that extend between the base 53 and the upper support surface 14 .
- the four joints where the legs 12 meet the base 53 and the four joints where the legs 12 and sides of the upper support surface 14 meet are all flexible such that the support 10 may be folded down and restrained in a folded configuration, with the meshed side wall 19 folded and proximate to the base 53 .
- the support 10 Prior to use, the support 10 is relieved of the restraint and biasing within those same joints will self-erect, or “pop-up”, the support into its erect configuration for use.
- the roll 56 is pulled such that a first bag 20 is disposed on the upper support surface 14 of the bag holder 10 by disposing its outer surface 27 adjacent its upper edge 48 over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the user can detach the bag 20 from the roll 56 of bags and the next bag 20 is desirably position over the support 10 , as previously described.
- the support 10 as shown and described in FIG. 5 is desirably made of mesh sides 17 of nylon mesh with the legs 12 and the sides of the upper support surface 14 made of flexible rods enclosed within nylon sleeves.
- Such a support 10 is similar in design to pop-up nylon laundry hampers as are known.
- FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 illustrate yet another exemplary disposal system 30 according to the present invention.
- the system 30 includes a plurality of bags 20 that are provided attached to a frame 70 that is adapted rest upon the upper support surface 14 of a support 10 .
- the bags 20 are attached to the frame 70 in a nested configuration.
- Such a nested configuration refers to the bags 20 being situated such that all but an outermost bag 23 is fitted inside another of the plurality of bags 20 .
- the plurality of bags 20 are held in an open configuration such that the innermost bag 21 is held open to receive refuse.
- Subsequent bag(s) 22 are fitted around the innermost bag 21 in a nested configuration.
- All of the bags of the plurality of bags 20 may be the same type of bags or different types of bags may be present within the plurality.
- the outermost bag 23 may be removed from the frame 70 in the same manner as the previous bags or it may be disposed along with the frame 70 . Additionally, the outermost bag 23 may be stronger bag than the other bags that are nested within the outermost bag 23 or may have a reinforcing liner such that if the bags nested within the outermost bag 23 were to fail, the refuse would ultimately be contained within the outermost bag 23 .
- Bags 20 are attached to the frame 70 and are individually removable when filled. Bags 20 are attached to the frame 70 by any means as is known in the art to attach bags 20 to the frame 70 .
- the bags 20 may be adhered to each other and the last bag adhered to the frame 70 .
- the bags 20 may be attached to the frame 70 by fasteners, at various points about the frame 70 .
- the bags 20 may be thermally sealed to the frame 70 .
- the bags may alternatively be attached by any other type of fastener that is appropriate for the materials used for the bags and the frame 70 . Any of such attachment methods or means may be used individually or in combination.
- the bags 20 may be easily and individually releasable from the plurality of bags upon the bag being filled with refuse.
- the bag may be intermittently sealed to the frame 70 such that individual bags may be easily removed when appropriate.
- the bags may have perforations such that the bags may be torn from the plurality of bags without disturbing the attachment of the plurality of bags to the frame 70 .
- the bags 20 may additionally have tabs 93 that facilitate easy and cleanly removal bags 20 filled with refuse. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , such tabs 93 provide the user with a surface to grab on to in order to pull the bag free of the frame 70 . Additionally, such tabs 93 may be associated with a line of weakness 91 to further facilitate the removal of the bags 20 from the frame 70 . Such a line of weakness 91 , may be perforations, areas of weakened material, scoring or other such means as to allow the bags 20 to be torn from the frame 70 .
- pull indicia 103 may be associated with the tabs 93 .
- Such indicia may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message.
- the pull indicia 103 may be used to help the user locate the tab 93 , indicate the function of the tab 93 , and help the user differentiate the individual tabs 93 of the plurality of bags 20 .
- indicia may be used on the tabs 93 , or on the bags themselves, to help the custodial staff determine if a new set of bags 20 should be installed or will need to be installed soon.
- the outermost bag 23 may be a different color, or have a differently colored tab 93 , than that of the other bags and thus indicate to the custodial staff that new bags 20 should be installed.
- One skilled in the art would be able to see how different indicia could be used on the tabs 93 , or on the bags 20 , to communicate a desired message to the user of such a system 30 .
- the frame 70 may be generally rectangular in shape, however, the frame 70 may be any size and shape as is appropriate for particular desired use.
- the frame 70 may be rectangular, square, elliptical, circular, or any other shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, that is desired and is appropriate for the upper support surface 14 that it will rest upon.
- the frame 70 may be made from any material that is appropriate to attach and support the plurality of bags 20 of the system 30 .
- the materials of the frame 70 may be rigid as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , or may be flexible as shown in FIG. 7 . It is intended that the frame 70 will be disposable and that the materials used to make the frame 70 will be appropriate for such disposal. Typically, the frame 70 will be make from heavy paper cardstock or plastic, however, the frame 70 may be made from any material that will support the plurality of bags 20 .
- odor control functionality may additionally, or alternatively, be incorporated into the frame 70 or on to the surface of the frame 70 of the present invention.
- the frame 70 may be a single, unitary piece or it may made up of a plurality of individual laminate frames 41 that are plied together to form the frame 70 .
- individual laminate frames 41 may be plied upon a single base frame 40 .
- the individual bags 20 of the plurality of bags 20 would each be attached to one of these individual laminate frames 41 .
- Each of these individual laminate frames 41 and individual bag assemblies could then be removed upon the filling of the individual bag.
- the frame 70 may also be designed to include disposal functionality.
- the frame 70 may be formed such that each opposed end portions of the frame 70 is formed to include a hinge or foldable portion, desirably a living hinge 113 .
- the foldable portion may be scored, folded and/or notched in middle to each opposed end portion of the frame 70 so that the frame 70 folds as shown and/or described herein. Therefore, as used herein, “foldable portion” includes both a hinge and a scored, folded and/or notched area which permits each end portion of the frame 70 to fold.
- the frame 70 desirably includes a bonding material 115 such as, for example, but not by way of limitation, an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cohesive adhesive, such as a latex, and so forth, that is disposed on at least a portion of the frame 70 .
- a pressure sensitive adhesive When used, it is desirably covered by a release strip 117 .
- the frame 70 When the assembly is removed, the frame 70 is configured to fold inward along a direction indicated by the arrows. Desirably, release strips 117 are removed and deposited in the bag, and the frame 70 is folded inward so that the upper surface of the frame 70 adheres to itself to create a secure closure of the assembly.
- the laminate frames 41 may have frame tabs 43 that provide the user with a portion of the particular laminate frame 41 that can be easily grasped to remove that frame 41 .
- Such frame tabs 43 may additionally have tab indicia 45 that help differentiate the frame tabs 43 , indicate to the user where they need to pull to remove the frame 41 , indicate the number of laminate frames 41 remaining, or any other message, or combination of messages, that are desired to be communicated to the user.
- the laminate frames 41 may have frame indicia 47 associated with the frame 41 to indicate a message to the user.
- Such frame indicia 47 may be located at distinct locations on individual laminate frames 41 or may be located on the entire laminate frame 41 .
- the laminate frames 41 have frame indicia 47 that differentiate the individual laminate frames from each other. As such, if the user saw a letter “A” on the frame they would know that they had several laminate frame and bag assemblies available before they would have to replace the entire assembly of laminate frames 41 .
- the base frame 40 may have a frame indicia 47 ; when such a base frame 40 indicia was visible, the user would know that a new assembly of laminate frames 41 should be installed.
- such frame indicia 47 may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message.
- frame indicia 47 may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message.
- the frames 70 shown in the variations of FIGS. 4 and 6 all illustrate frames 70 that need to be rigid enough to be capable of being supported by the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 .
- the frame may alternatively be a flexible frame 130 , as shown in FIG. 7 .
- Such a flexible frame 130 may be made of the same materials as the bags 20 or may be made of some similar flexible material.
- the flexible frame 130 may be made of an elastic material.
- the flexible frame 130 may fit over the periphery 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 . Additionally, the flexible frame 130 may also have a cinch 133 that helps secure the flexible frame 130 to the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 . Such a cinch 133 , may be an elastic band, a draw string capable of being pulled tight, crimping of a portion of the flexible frame 130 , or some other similar means or method associated with the flexible frame 130 that secures the flexible frame 130 in place while in use.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Refuse Receptacles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/217,036, entitled “Disposal Bag And System For Disposing Of Sanitary Products” and filed on Aug. 31, 2005, in the name of Wanda W. Jackson et al.; and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/215,908, entitled “Disposal Bag And System For Disposing Of Sanitary Products” and filed on August 31, 2005, in the name of Joseph Mitchell et al.; which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- Disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse in a various settings and for a multitude of applications. Whether it is in public facilities, restrooms, kitchens, offices or other settings where refuse is generated, disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse. Such bags are commonly used as liners for trash cans, waste bins, or other similar waste disposal units. The disposable bags, in such applications, are meant to protect the waste disposal unit from being fouled by any refuse so that the waste disposal unit does not require the frequent cleaning than would be needed if no such liner was used. This is particularly true in instances where the refuse may be wet or contain liquid. Such liners also make the collection and disposal of the refuse contained in a waste disposal unit more cleanly and convenient.
- In use, such disposable bags are placed within the waste disposal unit in such a way that refuse is directed into the bag and does not fall between the bag and the interior side walls of the waste disposal unit. Where a plastic or flexible disposable bag is used as a liner, the top of the bag is often folded over the open periphery of the waste bin, or is otherwise secured near the top of such a bin. In other applications, such as sanitary napkin disposal bins used in public bath room facilities, paper, wax-coated paper, cellophane or plastic bags are often loosely placed in the bins, and rely on the structure of the bag to keep the bag upright and open to receive refuse.
- However, such applications for disposable bags are often deficient. Plastic bags, even when placed over the upper edge of the bin, often slip down into the bin when the bag becomes filled. Additionally, plastic bags placed over the top periphery of waste bins often trap air between the bag and the bin. Such trapped air displaces space that is needed for waste within the bag and when more waste is disposed in the bin the trapped air often displaces and dislodges the bag from the periphery of the bin. In applications where paper or cellophane bags are used, such bags frequently collapse or fold inward, allowing sanitary products and the like to be disposed between the bag and a wall of the bin, thereby soiling the bin.
- Removal of the disposable bags also creates problems. In use, the user must remove the bag and any refuse which may have fallen between the bag and the wall of the bin. Further, the user must then clean the bin before placing a new bag in the bin, so that the bin does not become malodorous. Such bag removal and cleaning is often a dirty, odorous, and unpleasant activity of the user. In commercial settings, bag removal and bin cleaning are hazardous activities for maintenance personnel, who must handle with care sanitary products and other refuse contaminated with body fluids and the like.
- With the removal of each full bag, another empty bag must be secured in place prior to the waste disposal unit being ready to receive more refuse. Each time a new bag lo is placed in the unit is another instance when the bag may be placed improperly such that refuse falls between the bag and the interior walls or the waste disposal unit. In addition to the increased probability of incorrect bag installation or poor placement, placing a new bag in the bin is an extra step for a user to perform. In instances where maintenance personnel are servicing the waste disposal units of an entire facility, the time it takes to place a new bag in the waste disposal unit incrementally increases the time the maintenance personnel needs to take in cleaning the entire facility.
- Such problems are experienced in both commercial and residential settings. Just as custodial staff have issues with liner bags collapsing in sanitary disposal units, similar problems occur with liners slipping down inside of bathroom refuse bins, office paper bins, and the like. Similarly, consumers have problems with trash bags slipping off of the waste bins in the kitchen, home, office, yard, or bathroom such that refuse falls between the outside of the bag and the bin.
- Finally, all of the discussion thus far has been addressed to bags that are being used with an existing waste disposal unit, i.e., a trash can, a waste bin, recessed wall refuse container and the like. Such waste disposal units can be cumbersome to move to new locations or dispose of when they become damaged or exceptionally fouled. Replacement of such waste disposal units may be expensive. Additionally, such waste disposal units are not convenient for disposal of refuse in a temporary location or for a discrete period of time.
- Definitions
- As used herein, the term “refuse” refers to something that is discarded as worthless, useless, or used up. It is generally directed to rubbish, trash, garbage, and may include, among other things, discarded sanitary products, kitchen waste, office waste, bathroom waste, household waste, yard and garden debris, and the like.
- As used herein, the term “sanitary products” include, but are not limited to, feminine napkins, tampons, colostomy bags, ileostomy bags, male incontinence pads, baby diapers, disposable training pants for children, adult incontinence products including pads, disposable underwear, and so forth.
- As used herein, the term “fasteners” means devices that fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, snap-fits, tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking male/female connectors, such as fishhook connectors, a fish hook connector includes a male portion with a protrusion on its circumference. Inserting the male portion into the female portion substantially permanently locks the two portions together.
- As used herein, the term “couple” includes, but is not limited to, joining, connecting, lo fastening, linking, or associating two things integrally or interstitially together.
- As used herein, the term “configure” or “configuration” means to design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses. For example: a military vehicle that was configured for rough terrain; configured the computer by setting the system's parameters.
- As used herein, the term “hinge” refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of a part to a stationary component. Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, and living hinges. Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotable movement of one member in relation to another connected member.
- As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to something which is done to a great extent or degree; for example, “substantially covered” means that a thing is at least 95% covered.
- As used herein, the term “alignment” refers to the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines.
- As user herein, the terms “orientation” or “position” used interchangeably herein refer to the spatial property of a place where or way in which something is situated; for example, “the position of the hands on the clock.”
- As used herein, the term “waste disposal unit” refers to a unit provided in a commercial or residential setting which is configured to receive refuse. Such waste disposal units include, disposal units such as sanitary disposal units, residential bathroom waste bins, residential kitchen refuse bins, commercial office waste bins, garbage cans, and the like.
- As used herein, the term “sanitary disposal unit” refers to a unit provided on or in a wall or other structure of a public bathroom, that is, in the stall of each area containing a toilet, which is configured to receive sanitary products.
- These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification.
- In light of the problems and issues discussed above, it is desired to have an improved disposal bag system for disposing of refuse is desired. It would be desirable for such a system to provide a new empty disposal bag upon removal of an used disposal bag. In addition, such a system would desirably provide a safe and easy way for maintenance personnel to remove used disposal bags and seal them. Further, it would be desired that such a disposal bag system provide the user with additional functionalities to enhance the operation of the system, improve the system in use, and make the disposal of the refuse clean and easy. Finally, it is desired to have an easily transportable waste disposal system that may be placed wherever such a system is needed. Such a waste disposal system would desirably be used with an existing waste disposal unit or as a replacement of such a unit.
- The present invention is directed to a system for disposal of refuse, including a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support such that one bag of the plurality of bags is held in an opened position to receive refuse and when the one bag is removed, another bag of the plurality of bags is readily available for disposal of refuse. The support has an upper support surface and at least one leg and is configured to be folded into a folded configuration. In some embodiments, from the folded configuration, the support may be erected manually or in other embodiments the support may self-erect from the folded configuration. The system may be adapted to fit within a waste disposal unit and prevent refuse from falling between the system and the interior walls of the waste disposal unit.
- In some embodiments, the support may be configured to hold the plurality of bags while holding the upper edge of the one bag of the plurality of bags coupled to the upper support surface of the support, the support configured to hold the one bag in an opened position. Such a system may further include a holder pivotally coupled to the support and such a holder may be positioned over the upper support surface of the support to hold the open end of a bag on the upper support surface.
- In other embodiments, the plurality of bags may be a continuous web of bags where the closed end of preceding bags are attached to the open end of the subsequent bag. Such a web of bags may be a roll of bags. Additionally, the web of bags may be contained and dispensed from a container.
- Another embodiment of the system includes a frame to which the plurality of bags are attached in a nested configuration and are held open for the disposal of refuse. Such frames may have bonding material to attach them to the upper support surface of the support, may be made of a plurality of laminate frames, have frame indicia, provide an odor control enhancement, have a cinch to secure the frame to the upper support surface, or any combination of such features. The bags attached to such frames may have tabs and, or alternative, may have lines of weakness to facilitated removal of the bags from such frames.
- In various embodiments, the bags of the plurality of bags may have pull indicia, an lo odor control enhancement, a bonding material to close and seal the bags for disposal, or any combination of such features. Additionally, in some embodiments, the support may provide an odor control enhancement.
- The present invention is also directed to a system for disposal of refuse, including a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support, where the support is configured to be folded and restrained in a folded configuration, but will self-erect into an erect configuration when unrestrained.
-
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a support of the present invention in a folded configuration; -
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the support ofFIG. 1B in an erected configuration, along with a plurality of bags, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar toFIG. 1B and showing a holder pivotably mounted to the support, the holder in an upright position; -
FIG. 3A is a perspective of another disposal system of the present invention in a restrained, folded configuration; -
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the disposal system ofFIG. 3B in an unrestrained and self-erected configuration; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view of a multiple laminate frame and bag assembly with a support, according the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another disposal system according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another disposal system according to the present invention and illustrating various bag enhancements; and -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another disposal system of the present invention, the bag assembly having a flexible frame. - Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example and embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention include these and other modifications and variations as coming within the scope and spirit of the invention.
- The system of disposal of the present invention may be used for any refuse disposal needs. For simplicity the invention is discussed and illustrated in terms of the specific needs and application for use in sanitary product disposal and other specific refuse disposal applications. However, such examples are not intended to be limiting. Such concepts are applicable to not only to the specific refuse disposal applications discussed, but also to any waste disposal application that relies on refuse bags.
- The
disposal systems 30 of the present invention are generally illustrated inFIGS. 1A-7 . Thesystem 30 provides a plurality ofbags 20 associated with asupport 10. Thesupport 10 has at least oneleg 12 and anupper support surface 14 such that when thesupport 10 is in its erected configuration, as shown inFIGS.1B . 2, 3B, and 4-7, abag 20 of the plurality ofbags 20 may be held open to receive refuse. When such abag 20 is filled with refuse, the filledbag 20 may be removed from thesupport 10, and anotherbag 20 is ready to be held open on thesupport 10 to receive the subsequent refuse. - The
bags 20 may be provided in various formats, but all formats are associated with thesupport 10 in that one of thebags 20 is held up and open to readily accept refuse into such anopen bag 20 and the rest of the plurality ofbags 20 are held ready to replace theopen bag 20 once it is filled. Such an association ofbags 20 with the support may beindividual bags 20 all held in reserve by the support 10 (FIGS. 1A and 1B ), aweb 55 of bags supplied along with and kept proximate to the support 10 (FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5),bags 20 provided on aframe support 10, or any other configuration where a plurality ofbags 20 are kept with thesupport 10 in such a way that thebags 20 are associated with thesupport 10, as discussed above. - In general, the
support 10 of thesystem 30 of the present invention has anupper support surface 14 and at least oneleg 12. Theupper support surface 14 both supports thebags 20 and holds thebags 20 open during the disposal of refuse. Thus theupper support surface 14 defines theopening 17 of thesupport 10. Such anupper support surface 14 may be a fullyenclosed perimeter 15, as shown inFIGS.1B . 3B, 5, 6 and 7, or may be discrete portions of thesupport 10 on which thebags 20 rest atop, such as shown inFIG. 4 . - The
support 10, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A-7 , is desirably tubular, but is not limited to such a structure. It may be formed from light-weight plastic, metal, cardboard, paperboard, or any combination thereof. The materials used for thesupport 10 are dependent upon the desired use, design of thesupport 10, general design choice, and intended durability. One skilled in the art would understand how different materials would be appropriate for specific design criteria. - The
support 10 may have one ormore legs 12 that elevate the uppersupport lo surface 14 for disposal of refuse. As shown inFIGS.1B . 2, 6 and 7, thesupport 10 may havemultiple legs 12. Alternatively, thesupport 10 may only have asingle leg 12. For example, thesupport 10 shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B is a helical compression spring design where theleg 12 is a single continuous portion of thesupport 10 that extends between the base 53 and theupper support surface 14 and elevates thatupper support surface 14 above thebase 53. Similarly, thesupport 10 may have onecontinuous leg 12 that is designed to both act as a base and elevate theupper support surface 14. In a example of asystem 30 that could be used outdoors (i.e., for yard and garden waste and debris), asingle leg 12 may act as a stake that may be driven into the ground to support anupper support surface 14 and the plurality ofbags 20 associated with thesupport 10. - The leg(s) 12 of the
support 10 may have afoot 13 at the end of theleg 12 to provide a discrete base for the support 10 (FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, thesupport 10 may have afull base 53, such as shown in the designs illustrated inFIGS. 3B and 5 . However, as discussed above, however, thesupport 10 may be designed to not have afoot 13 or a base 52 (e.g., theleg 12 may function as a spike that is driven into the ground). - The
support 10 of thesystem 30 is additionally designed to make shipping and transport of thesupport 10 simple and convenient. This is accomplished by thesupport 10 being designed to fold down into a folded configuration, such as shown inFIGS. 1A and 3A . As used herein, a “folded configuration” refers to a configuration of thesupport 10 that is folded to take up less space than when thesupport 10. Where thesupport 10 is fully unfolded into its erected configuration. As shown inFIG. 1A , the folded configuration takes up less room than the fully erectedsystem 30, as shown inFIG. 1B . The folded configuration of thesystem 30 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B only takes up the space that is inherent due to the dimensions of thesupport 10 itself, including overlappinglegs 12. - In the
systems 30 shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B , 2, 4, 6, and 7, thesupport 10 is designed to be folded byhinges 16 that connect theupper support surface 14 and thelegs 12 of thesupport 10. In such designs thelegs 12 may be folded up to the underside of theupper support surface 14. In thesystem 30 ofFIGS. 3A and 3B , where thesupport 10 is a helical compression spring-type design, the folded configuration is acquired by pressing theupper support surface 14 toward thebase 53. Thespring design support 10 is thus put in a compressed, folded state (FIG. 3A ). The folded configuration of asystem 30 of the type shown inFIG. 5 , is formed by pressing down each of themesh walls 19 of thesupport 10 toward thebase 53. -
Other systems 30 according to the present invention may have a folded configuration, as discussed here, or may have different folded configuration as determined by the unique configurations of eachparticular system 30. In all such cases, the folded configuration puts thesupport 10 in a configuration that takes up less space than when the same support is fully erected, as necessary for thesystem 30 to be used for disposal of refuse. - From its folded configuration, the
support 10 of the present invention needs to be unfolded into its erect configuration forsystem 30 to be used for disposal of refuse. Thesupport 10 may be designed to be unfolded manually such that the user would manipulate the leg(s) 12 from the folded configuration to the erect configuration. Alternatively, thesupport 10 may be configured to self-erect. - Such a self-erecting
support 10 would include springs, elastic members, or other structure, that is biased to the desired erect configuration necessary to support theassembly 10 and hold thebags 20 open for disposal of refuse. As such, the self-erectingsupport 10 may need to be restrained to hold it in a substantially flat configuration and when unrestrained would return to its unrestrained open and erect configuration during use. For example, thesupport 10 illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B is a helical compression spring design. It is designed to be biased to the erect configuration shown inFIG. 3B . In such asystem 30, one ormore clasps 51 would be required to keep thesupport 10 restrained in the folded (or compressed) configuration, shown inFIG. 3A . - The size and shape of the
system 30 may be any size and shape as appropriate for the desired use. Thesystems 30 illustrated in the figures are shown as generally rectangular, square or circular in shape, but they may be any shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, that is appropriate for the intended location, desired use, design choice, or any combination of such factors. - Similarly, the
support 10 may be any size desired. The support may be of a size and shape to fit with bin of a waste disposal unit; it may be small enough to replace the bin in a sanitary disposal unit; it may be large enough to replace a trash bin in a home or a commercial setting; it may be large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris; or the support may be any other size adequate for the specific intended use. Such asupport 10 may be configured, sized and shaped to work with an existing waste disposal unit or alternatively replace such a waste disposal unit. - The
bags 20 of thesystem 30 may be formed as one continuous unit having a shape which generally follows the rectangular shape and opening 17 of thesupport 10, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 7. Alternatively, thebags 20 may be formed from one or two substantially flat panels which are heat sealed together to provide a generally rectangular bag. Each of thebags 20 includes anouter surface 27 and aninner surface 25. Anopening 32 is desirably provided along anupper edge 48 of anupper end 49 of thebag 20. The configuration of thebag 20 is non-limiting, and any configuration for thebag 20 may be used. - The
bags 20 may be made of any material that is appropriate for the application lo and the refuse that is typically to be disposed of in such bags. Typically such refuse bags or waste receptacle liners are made from plastics such as polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other similar materials. Thebags 20 may be made of a single ply of material or may be made from multiple plies of similar or dissimilar materials. Additionally, thebags 20 may be made from composites of films, nonwoven materials, woven materials, or combinations thereof. Thebags 20 may incorporate elastic materials. Thebags 20 may be puncture resistant. Different materials, substrate weights and thicknesses, elasticity, composite materials, and the like may be used in various combinations to provide the end user with a bag having the desired strength, flexibility, weight, puncture resistance, or other desired attributes. - The number of
bags 20 used with aparticular system 30 is dependant on the desired use of such asystem 30 and is a function of the particular use, convenience and design choice. For example, the number of bags for aparticular system 30 may be the number ofbags 20 as are commonly removed during normal custodial intervals. If custodial staff empties a waste receptacle unit twice a day during a work week, it may be desired that the assemblies be equipped with ten bags. One skilled in the art would see that any number of bags may be effectively used in thesystem 30 of the present invention and would understand the balance between having enough bags to gain the efficiency of not having to replace bags with every disposal of a bag and having so many bags that the space for refuse is unacceptably limited. - The
bags 20 may be small enough to be used as a replacement for the bins commonly used in sanitary disposal units in public restrooms or may large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris. Thebags 20 may be any size, shape and design as is appropriate for the particular intended use of thesystem 30. - The plurality of
bags 20 may provided to the system 30 a variety of formats as appropriate for the intended use of thesystem 30 and theparticular support 10 used. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, thebags 20 may a collection ofindividual bags 20 each having atab portion 50 and atab portion opening 52. The tab portion opening 52 of such may be used to secure thebags 20 to anattachment flange 18 present on theupper support surface 14 of thatparticular support 10. - Another bag format, as illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and 7 , thebags 20 may be provided to thesystem 30 in a nested configuration and attached to aframe bags 20 upon theupper support surface 14. Similarly, thebags 20 may be individually associated withlaminate frames 41 and configured into a nested configuration, as shown inFIG. 4 . - Finally, the
bags 20 may alternatively be provided to thesystem 30 as acontinuous web 55 ofbags 20. In such aweb 55, the closed end of a preceding bag is lo attached to theopen end 32 of the following bag, such as shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B and 5. Insuch systems 30, when onebag 20 is filled and removed from thesystem 30, it is removed from the end of theweb 55, and the followingbag 20 is then ready to be used to receive refuse. At any point during use, the closed end of thebag 20 receiving refuse will be attached to theweb 55. - Such a
continuous web 55 ofbags 20 may be provided as aroll 56 of bags 20 (FIG. 5 ), in fan-folded format, or any other format as is known in providing an continuous web. Regardless of format, thecontinuous web 55 ofbags 20 may be contained and dispensed from acontainer 61 having a dispensingopening 63, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B . - Additionally, while the dispensing
opening 63 shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B is associated with acontainer 61, the dispensingopening 63 may alternatively be a portion of thesupport 10, or a component attached to thesupport 10, through which theweb 55 of bags may be dispensed without acontainer 61. In either case, the dispensingopening 63 may provide additional functionality to thesystem 30. By way of non-limiting examples, the dispensingopening 53 may be sized and shaped to help partially restrict the flow of theweb 55 through theopening 63, help separate thebags 20 upon removal of a filledbag 20, hold the open end of asubsequent bag 20 once the preceding bag is removed, or may be configured for any combination of such functionalities. - The
bags 20 of thesystem 30 of the present invention may be provided as discussed here or they may be provided in other formats as are known. The formats discussed are only intended to be exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Thebags 20 may be provided to thesystem 30 in any format that provides a plurality of bags such that when abag 20 is filled with refuse, it may be removed and anotherbag 20 is readily available for disposal of refuse. - Additional functionality may be present in, on, or associated with the
bags 20 of the present invention. For example, thebags 20 of the present invention may have one or more features that aid in the closure and disposal of thebag 20 containing refuse. In one option, eachbag 20 may include a bonding material 105 (FIG. 6 ) which is desirably positioned on a surface of thebag 20 near theopening 32 of thebag 20. Thebonding material 105 may include, for example, but not by way of limitation, an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cohesive adhesive, such as a latex, and so forth. Thebonding material 105, may additionally be covered by a release strip that would protect thebonding material 105 prior to use and could be removed when it is desired to securely close thebag 20. - The
bags 20 may have atab 93 that aids in removing aparticular bag 20 from thesystem 30. Such atab 93 may additionally help securely close the bag. Thetab 93 may be lo of a length to tie off a bag that has been twisted closed at its opening. Alternatively, more than onetab 93 may be present and such tabs could be tied together to close thebag 20. - Similarly, drawstrings, ties, or other such similar components may be present on or associated with the
bags 20 to aid in the secure closure and disposal ofbags 20 filled with refuse. - Another additional functionality could be an odor sorbing material that is disposed on or in each of the
bags 20. A sheet of cardboard orpaperboard 107 may be treated with an odor sorbing material and included in or on thebags 20. The sheet ofpaperboard 107 is desirably treated with an odor sorbing material such as activated carbon. One such activated carbon is NUCHAR SA activated carbon from Westco Corporation, New York, N.Y. For example, to provide such a sheet ofpaperboard 107, a mixture of 100 grams sodium silicate at 38.3% solids and 19.2 grams of activated carbon is dispersed in 20 grams of water. A final coating formulation having a solids of about 41% was obtained with the solids content consisting of about 33% carbon and 67% binder. The carbon concentration of the coating was about 14%. This formulation was applied to an uncoated side of paperboard. Such as PRINTKOTE bleached paperboard (available from Westvaco Corporation, New York, N.Y.) using a No. 12 wire wound rod at a coat weight of about 26 lbs/ream (ream size 3000 ft2) to a nominal thickness of about 1.2 mils. The weight of carbon in the applied coating was about 3.8 mg/in2 - Starch or polyvinyl alcohol may be used as the binder system. Coating formulations useful in the present invention desirably have a solids content of from about 30-45% depending upon the method of application. Coat weights may range from 3-26 lbs/ream, and the activated carbon content of the coating may range from about 20-95%, depending upon the degree of odor absorption desired. One method of applying activated carbon to paperboard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,916, to Parks, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Another method of applying activated carbon to articles is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,424 to Bewick-Sonntag et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- Moreover, adhesives, such as pressure sensitive adhesives, may also be used as the binder system. Such a binder permits the activated carbon to be applied to plastics and/or polymers. As such, for example, but not by way of limitation, the
inner surface 25 of thebags 20, or at least a portion thereof, may be treated with an activated carbon coating. Other activated carbon treatments, such as activated carbon ink, may be used as well for any portion of thebags 20. - The
bag 20 itself may be treated or may be made of material that allows for easy removal of an individual bag from the plurality ofbags 20. One problem often encountered with nested materials is the tendency ofbags 20 to be attracted to each other, due to static electric charge when an inner bag of the plurality ofbags 20 is being removed from the plurality ofbags 20. To overcome this static attraction of bags, thebags 20 may have an anti-static treatment or may be made of a reduced static-susceptible material such as ultra low density polyethylene. - In various embodiments, additional functionalities may be added to the bags For example the bags may have an anti-viral or anti-bacterial treatment associated within or on the bags. Such treatments may help reduce the bacteria or virus levels within the bags.
- Another possible functionality for the bags of the present invention is the incorporation of superabsorbent materials into the bags. Such superabsorbents could be added as a substrate to the bags or may be incorporated into the walls of the bags so to absorb any free liquid that may be present in the bags.
- More particularly, an
exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, and includes asupport 10 having aupper support surface 14 providing anopening 17 that desirably is generally rectangular in shape. Thesupport 10 desirably includes at least oneleg 12. In this particular instance, a pair oflegs 12 is provided. Thesupport 10 includes anattachment flange 18 which is coupled to theupper support surface 14. Thesupport 10 operates as a structure to hold a plurality ofdisposal bags 20, which are desirable releasably coupled to theattachment flange 18. The plurality of thebags 20 desirably each include abag tab 50 having an bag tap opening therein 52 which permits the plurality ofbags 20 to be coupled to thesupport 10, as shown inFIGS. 1B and 2 . - Each
new bag 20 in the plurality of bags desirably is positioned such that itsouter surface 27 near itsupper edge 48 is positioned over theperimeter 15 of theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. When thebag 20 becomes filled, the release strips 36 covering thebonding material 105 on theinner surface 25 near theupper end 49 of thebag 20 are removed and deposited in thebag 20. Thebag tab 50 is lifted from theattachment flange 18, and the sides of thebag 20 near theupper end 49 are pressed together so that thebonding material 105 provides closure and sealing of thebag 20. - A
holder 80 may be used to assist in holding thebag 20 on theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10, as illustrated inFIG. 2 . Theholder 80 is desirably pivotably coupled to thesupport 10. Theholder 80 is shown as a generally rectangular structure that closely follows the shape of theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. Theholder 80 includes alower surface 84 which contacts theupper support surface 14. Thelower surface 84 may include grooves (not shown) to permit theholder 80 to sit firmly on theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. When thebag 20 becomes filled, theholder 80 assists in retaining thebag 20 on theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10 by providing weight and friction against theupper end 49 of thebag 20 so that thebag 20 does not pull away from theupper support surface 14. When thebag 20 is to be removed, theholder 80 desirably pivots upward, away from theupper support surface 14 so that thebag 20 may be removed therefrom. - The
holder 80, or a portion thereof, may be formed from metal, plastic, cardboard, and so forth. - In a method of use, a plurality of
disposable bags 20 which are coupled together desirably via therebag tabs 50 are provided. Asupport 10 is also desirably provided. Thebags 20 are coupled to thesupport 10 via positioning thebag tab openings 52 in thebag tabs 50 over theattachment flange 18. A first bag is disposed on theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10 by disposing itsouter surface 27 adjacent itsupper edge 48 over theperimeter 15 of theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. Theholder 80 is then positioned over theperimeter 18 of thesupport 10 so that the holder is positioned against theupper edge 48 of thebag 20. - When the
bag 20 is full, the user can easily lift theholder 80 and detach thebag 20 via thebag tab 50 from the remaining plurality ofempty bags 20. The release strips positioned adjacent theinner surface 25 of theupper end 49 are removed and disposed in thebag 20, and the sides of the bag are pressed together. In this manner, thebag 20 is configured to seal itself to provide a closure to thebag 20. In the meantime, thenext bag 20 in the plurality ofbags 20 is desirably positioned over thesupport 10, as previously described. - Another
exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B . In thisparticular system 30, thesupport 10 is a helical (or coil) compression spring design having a circularupper support surface 14, acircular base 53, and ahelical leg 12 that extends between theupper support surface 14 and thebase 53. Such asupport 10, may be a single, continuous tubular design or may be separate pieces that are joined together by any method or means as are known to join the particular materials used to make the individual pieces of such asupport 10. Thebase 53 includes the bottom turn of the coil design and a circular piece that covers the area within that bottom turn of the coil. - The helical compression spring design of the support of
FIGS. 3A and 3B is biased toward the erect configuration ofFIG. 3B and is the shape thesupport 10 will assume when it is unrestrained. The folded configuration, shown inFIG. 3A , is obtained by compressing the spring design and restraining thesupport 10 with aclasp 51 attached to thebase 53. Thesupport 10 is more convenient to transport and store in this folded configuration. Prior use of thesystem 30, thesupport 10 is unrestrained by removing theclasp 51 thus allowing thesupport 10 to self-erect to the erect configuration ofFIG. 3B . - The plurality of
bags 20, in thesystem 30 ofFIGS. 3A and 3B , are provided as acontinuous web 55 ofbags 20 contained within acontainer 61, and dispensed through a dispensingopening 63 in the top of thecontainer 61. Thecontainer 61 may be releaseably attached to thebase 53, such that thecontainer 61 may be held in place during use, but may easily be removed once theweb 55 ofbags 20 is consumed and replaced with anew container 61 with anew web 55 ofbags 20. Such attachment to the base 53 may be accomplished with a pressure sensitive adhesive, double-sided tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, or some other similar type of fastener. - In a method of use, the
web 55 ofbags 20 is pulled from thecontainer 61 and afirst bag 20 is disposed on theupper support surface 14 of thebag holder 10 by disposing itsouter surface 27 adjacent itsupper edge 48 over theperimeter 15 of theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. When thebag 20 is full, the user can detach thebag 20 from thecontinuous web 55 of bags and thenext bag 20 is desirably position over thesupport 10, as previously described. - Another
exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 5 . Thesystem 30 shown inFIG. 5 is similar in operation to thesystem 30 as shown and described forFIGS. 3A and 3B . The plurality ofbags 20 is provided to thesystem 30 as acontinuous web 55 of bags in aroll 56 format. Aroll holder 57 connected to thebase 53 of thesupport 10, is used to hold theroll 56 in place during use of thesystem 30. - The
support 10 ofFIG. 5 is generally cube-shaped with anopening 17 at the top defined by theupper support surface 14, abase 53, andlegs 12 andmesh side walls 19 on all four sides that extend between the base 53 and theupper support surface 14. The four joints where thelegs 12 meet thebase 53 and the four joints where thelegs 12 and sides of theupper support surface 14 meet are all flexible such that thesupport 10 may be folded down and restrained in a folded configuration, with themeshed side wall 19 folded and proximate to thebase 53. Prior to use, thesupport 10 is relieved of the restraint and biasing within those same joints will self-erect, or “pop-up”, the support into its erect configuration for use. - In the a similar manner of use as discussed above, the
roll 56 is pulled such that afirst bag 20 is disposed on theupper support surface 14 of thebag holder 10 by disposing itsouter surface 27 adjacent itsupper edge 48 over theperimeter 15 of theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. When thebag 20 is full, the user can detach thebag 20 from theroll 56 of bags and thenext bag 20 is desirably position over thesupport 10, as previously described. - The
support 10 as shown and described inFIG. 5 , is desirably made of mesh sides 17 of nylon mesh with thelegs 12 and the sides of theupper support surface 14 made of flexible rods enclosed within nylon sleeves. Such asupport 10 is similar in design to pop-up nylon laundry hampers as are known. -
FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, illustrate yet anotherexemplary disposal system 30 according to the present invention. Thesystem 30 includes a plurality ofbags 20 that are provided attached to aframe 70 that is adapted rest upon theupper support surface 14 of asupport 10. Thebags 20 are attached to theframe 70 in a nested configuration. Such a nested configuration refers to thebags 20 being situated such that all but anoutermost bag 23 is fitted inside another of the plurality ofbags 20. Furthermore, the plurality ofbags 20 are held in an open configuration such that theinnermost bag 21 is held open to receive refuse. Subsequent bag(s) 22 are fitted around theinnermost bag 21 in a nested configuration. When theinnermost bag 21 is filled, it is removed from theframe 70, and thesubsequent bag 22 is then available for use as it is held open by theframe 70. All of the bags of the plurality ofbags 20 may be the same type of bags or different types of bags may be present within the plurality. - In such a nested configuration, the
outermost bag 23 may be removed from theframe 70 in the same manner as the previous bags or it may be disposed along with theframe 70. Additionally, theoutermost bag 23 may be stronger bag than the other bags that are nested within theoutermost bag 23 or may have a reinforcing liner such that if the bags nested within theoutermost bag 23 were to fail, the refuse would ultimately be contained within theoutermost bag 23. -
Bags 20 are attached to theframe 70 and are individually removable when filled.Bags 20 are attached to theframe 70 by any means as is known in the art to attachbags 20 to theframe 70. For example, thebags 20 may be adhered to each other and the last bag adhered to theframe 70. Alternatively, thebags 20 may be attached to theframe 70 by fasteners, at various points about theframe 70. As another example, thebags 20 may be thermally sealed to theframe 70. The bags may alternatively be attached by any other type of fastener that is appropriate for the materials used for the bags and theframe 70. Any of such attachment methods or means may be used individually or in combination. - Additionally, it may be desired to attach the
bags 20 to theframe 70 so they are easily and individually releasable from the plurality of bags upon the bag being filled with refuse. For example, the bag may be intermittently sealed to theframe 70 such that individual bags may be easily removed when appropriate. Alternatively, the bags may have perforations such that the bags may be torn from the plurality of bags without disturbing the attachment of the plurality of bags to theframe 70. - The
bags 20, may additionally havetabs 93 that facilitate easy and cleanlyremoval bags 20 filled with refuse. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 ,such tabs 93 provide the user with a surface to grab on to in order to pull the bag free of theframe 70. Additionally,such tabs 93 may be associated with a line ofweakness 91 to further facilitate the removal of thebags 20 from theframe 70. Such a line ofweakness 91, may be perforations, areas of weakened material, scoring or other such means as to allow thebags 20 to be torn from theframe 70. - Additionally, pull
indicia 103 may be associated with thetabs 93. Such indicia may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message. Thepull indicia 103 may be used to help the user locate thetab 93, indicate the function of thetab 93, and help the user differentiate theindividual tabs 93 of the plurality ofbags 20. - Alternatively, or additionally, indicia may be used on the
tabs 93, or on the bags themselves, to help the custodial staff determine if a new set ofbags 20 should be installed or will need to be installed soon. For example, theoutermost bag 23 may be a different color, or have a differently coloredtab 93, than that of the other bags and thus indicate to the custodial staff thatnew bags 20 should be installed. One skilled in the art would be able to see how different indicia could be used on thetabs 93, or on thebags 20, to communicate a desired message to the user of such asystem 30. - As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6 , theframe 70 may be generally rectangular in shape, however, theframe 70 may be any size and shape as is appropriate for particular desired use. For example, theframe 70 may be rectangular, square, elliptical, circular, or any other shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, that is desired and is appropriate for theupper support surface 14 that it will rest upon. - The
frame 70 may be made from any material that is appropriate to attach and support the plurality ofbags 20 of thesystem 30. The materials of theframe 70 may be rigid as shown inFIGS. 4 and 6 , or may be flexible as shown inFIG. 7 . It is intended that theframe 70 will be disposable and that the materials used to make theframe 70 will be appropriate for such disposal. Typically, theframe 70 will be make from heavy paper cardstock or plastic, however, theframe 70 may be made from any material that will support the plurality ofbags 20. - In same manner as discussed for the
bags 20, odor control functionality may additionally, or alternatively, be incorporated into theframe 70 or on to the surface of theframe 70 of the present invention. - The
frame 70 may be a single, unitary piece or it may made up of a plurality of individual laminate frames 41 that are plied together to form theframe 70. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 4 , individual laminate frames 41 may be plied upon asingle base frame 40. In these laminate frame executions, theindividual bags 20 of the plurality ofbags 20 would each be attached to one of these individual laminate frames 41. Each of these individual laminate frames 41 and individual bag assemblies could then be removed upon the filling of the individual bag. - The
frame 70 may also be designed to include disposal functionality. For example, as shown inFIG. 6 , theframe 70 may be formed such that each opposed end portions of theframe 70 is formed to include a hinge or foldable portion, desirably aliving hinge 113. The foldable portion may be scored, folded and/or notched in middle to each opposed end portion of theframe 70 so that theframe 70 folds as shown and/or described herein. Therefore, as used herein, “foldable portion” includes both a hinge and a scored, folded and/or notched area which permits each end portion of theframe 70 to fold. Theframe 70 desirably includes abonding material 115 such as, for example, but not by way of limitation, an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cohesive adhesive, such as a latex, and so forth, that is disposed on at least a portion of theframe 70. When a pressure sensitive adhesive is used, it is desirably covered by arelease strip 117. When the assembly is removed, theframe 70 is configured to fold inward along a direction indicated by the arrows. Desirably, release strips 117 are removed and deposited in the bag, and theframe 70 is folded inward so that the upper surface of theframe 70 adheres to itself to create a secure closure of the assembly. - Additionally functionality may be added to the
frame 70 or the laminate frames 41 to improve the ease of removal or alternatively, or additionally, communicate a desired message to the user. For example, as shown inFIG. 4 , the laminate frames 41 may have frame tabs 43 that provide the user with a portion of theparticular laminate frame 41 that can be easily grasped to remove thatframe 41. Such frame tabs 43 may additionally havetab indicia 45 that help differentiate the frame tabs 43, indicate to the user where they need to pull to remove theframe 41, indicate the number of laminate frames 41 remaining, or any other message, or combination of messages, that are desired to be communicated to the user. - Similarly, or alternatively, the laminate frames 41 may have
frame indicia 47 associated with theframe 41 to indicate a message to the user.Such frame indicia 47 may be located at distinct locations on individual laminate frames 41 or may be located on theentire laminate frame 41. For example, as shown inFIG. 4 , the laminate frames 41 haveframe indicia 47 that differentiate the individual laminate frames from each other. As such, if the user saw a letter “A” on the frame they would know that they had several laminate frame and bag assemblies available before they would have to replace the entire assembly of laminate frames 41. Similarly, thebase frame 40 may have aframe indicia 47; when such abase frame 40 indicia was visible, the user would know that a new assembly of laminate frames 41 should be installed. - Whether they are on the frame tabs 43, on the laminate frames 41, or both,
such frame indicia 47 may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message. One skilled in the art would be able to see how various indicia types and locations could be used to communicate a desired message to the user of the disposal system of the present invention. - The
frames 70 shown in the variations ofFIGS. 4 and 6 , all illustrateframes 70 that need to be rigid enough to be capable of being supported by theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. However, the frame may alternatively be aflexible frame 130, as shown inFIG. 7 . Such aflexible frame 130 may be made of the same materials as thebags 20 or may be made of some similar flexible material. Theflexible frame 130 may be made of an elastic material. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , theflexible frame 130, may fit over theperiphery 15 of theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. Additionally, theflexible frame 130 may also have acinch 133 that helps secure theflexible frame 130 to theupper support surface 14 of thesupport 10. Such acinch 133, may be an elastic band, a draw string capable of being pulled tight, crimping of a portion of theflexible frame 130, or some other similar means or method associated with theflexible frame 130 that secures theflexible frame 130 in place while in use. - It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples and discussion, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.
Claims (25)
Priority Applications (2)
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PCT/US2006/034037 WO2007027897A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-08-31 | System for disposal of refus |
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US11/215,908 US20070045324A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2005-08-31 | Disposal bag and system for disposing of sanitary products |
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US11/380,700 US20070045483A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-04-28 | Disposal Bag And Support System |
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US11/215,908 Continuation-In-Part US20070045324A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2005-08-31 | Disposal bag and system for disposing of sanitary products |
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US20140312185A1 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2014-10-23 | Elaheh Moayed Sabeti | Portotrash (portable personal garbage storage/disposal unit) |
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US10293983B1 (en) * | 2015-11-09 | 2019-05-21 | Trish Kaplan | Garbage bag set and associated use thereof |
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US20190352922A1 (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2019-11-21 | Jeffrey J Berrigan | Decontamination Ring |
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