Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR PACKING DISPOSABLE OBJECTS INTO AN ELONGATED
TUBE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
(0001) The present invention relates to an apparatus for
packaging disposable material or objects into a tube of
flexible plastic film material. More specifically, the
invention relates to an apparatus for use to package waste
material, for example .babie's disposable diapers, or any
other kind of appropriate objects or material, into a tube
of flexible plastic film material and to store the so
packaged waste material in a hygienic and a substantially
odor-free manner, until it is collected.
2. Background Art
(0002) Known apparatuses of the above-mentioned type
generally comprise a container having an open or openable
upper portion in which the waste to be disposed of may be
inserted and a bottom portion in which the disposed waste is
stored. A ring-shaped cassette is mounted in the upper
portion of the container, and contains, in a pleated form, a
tube of flexible plastic film material which is formed into
an elongated tube which is knotted at a bottom end and into
which the waste material may be inserted and temporarity
stored.
(0003) In use, the waste to be disposed of is
inserted into the tube at the upper portion of the container
and the tube and waste are then pushed through the open
center of the cassette towards the bottom portion of the
container for storage purpose. Closeable means are also
provided for closing the tube below the cassette and thus
preventing bad odor from escaping from the tube during
storage.
(oood) In Canadian patent No. 1, 298, 191, these closeable
means are disclosed as a core that can be turned by a lid
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about a cylinder in order to twist the tube at regular
intervals to form successive "pouches" that are kept sealed
while they are stored.
(0005) In Canadian laid-open application No. 2,383,799, a
squeezing device is mounted in the container below the
cassette to pull the tube from the cassette and move it down
together with the objects inserted into the container. This
squeezing device comprises a pair of opposite rotatable
members between which the tube is inserted. The rotatable
members have a plurality of opposite bars extending
transversely to the tube in order to squeeze the tube, keep
it closed until other objects to be disposed of are inserted
into the upper portion of the container, and pull it down to
move the plastic film forming the tube and the objects
contained therein towards the bottom portion of the
container for storage purpose. Actuation of the rotatable
members in unison and in opposite direction to achieve the
requested squeezing, closing and pulling down of the plastic
film tube is preferably obtained by actuation of a lever
that is part of the container.
(0006) In Canadian laid-open application No. 2,441,837, a
plunging device is provided to compress the object to be
disposed of, and push it into the tube and to the bottom
part of the container. The plunging device includes two arms
with pivoting flaps attached thereto and opposing pivotable
slides.
(ooo~) All of these prior art devices have several
disadvantages. Their mechanisms have many parts and are
prone to breakage. These devices are also not user-friendly
and difficult to understand the operation thereof when first
purchased. They are costly to fabricate and they utilize
excess film from the cassettes adding to the cost of use.
Some also do not effectively contain the odors of the
disposed material.
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
(00081 It is therefore an aim of the present invention to
provide an improved apparatus for packing disposable objects
into an elongated tube of flexible plastic film material
which is easy to use.
(0o09~ It is also an aim of the present invention to
provide an improved apparatus for packing disposable objects
into an elongated tube of flexible plastic film, and which
apparatus is simple to assemble and have few moving parts.
(ooio~ It is a further aim of the present invention to
provide an improved apparatus for packing disposable objects
into an elongated tube which can use a lesser quantity of
flexible plastic film packing material than in the prior art
described above.
(0011 Another aim of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus, as above-described, which prevents the
accumulation of odors released from the disposable objects
which are disposed in the elongated tube.
(0012) Therefore, in accordance with a broad aspect of
the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for
packing at least one disposable object into an elongated
tube of flexible material. The apparaus comprises a bin
defining an enclosure with an opening defined at a top
thereof for receiving at least one disposable object to be
packed. A holder is provided within the bin proximate the
opening. The holder is adapted to receive a cassette of
flexible unfoldable film providing an elongated film tube.
A closing mechanism is located below the holder and
comprises first and second portions. The second portion is
biased in a closed position against the first portion and
defines a receiving surface for receiving the at least one
disposable object. The second portion is slidable from the
closed position to an open position through application of a
substantially vertical downward force against the receiving
surface and being slidable from the open position to the
closed position under the action of biasing means. The
closing mechanism in the open position defines a passage
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between the opening of the bin and a bottom portion of the
enclosure located below the closing mechanism. The closing
mechanism in the closed position closes the passage.
X00137 Also in accordance with a further broad aspect of
the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for
packing at least one disposable object into an elongated
tube of flexible material. The apparatus comprises a bin
having an opening defined at a top portion thereof. A.
cassette holder is located proximate the top portion of the
bin. A removable cassette, of unfoldable tubing of flexible
material is received in the cassette holder. The tubing
being pullable from the cassette and attached to form a
closed bottom for an elongated tube of increasing length
having an open top end aligned with the opening for
receiving the at least one disposable object within the
elongated tube. A closing mechanism is located below the
holder and comprises at least one moveable part biased in a
closed position and slidable between the closed position and
an open position by pushing the at least one disposable
object against the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism
in the closed position, pinches the flexible material such
as to seal the elongated tube from a remainder of the
elongated tube below the closing mechanism. The closing
mechanism, in the open position, allows the disposable
object to be pushed within the bin below the closing
mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
~ooia~ Reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings, showing by way of illustration a particular
embodiment of the present invention and in which:
fool5~ Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus
according to a particular embodiment of the invention;
toois~ Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of
Fig.1 with part of an outer wall thereof being omitted;
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(ooi~) Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus
of Fig. 1, showing a step of the insertion of a disposable
object within the apparatus;
(0018) Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus
of Fig. 1, showing a step subsequent to that shown in Fig. 3
where a closing mechanism of the apparatus is moved in an
open position by the insertion of the disposable object;
(0019) Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus and
the step illustrate in Fig. 4, with part of an outer wall
thereof being omitted;
(0020) Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus
of Fig. 1, showing a step subsequent to that shown in Fig. 4
where the closing mechanism is moved back in a closed
position;
(0021) Fig. 7 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig.1
with the closing mechanism located between the open and
closed positions; and
(0022) Fig. 8 is a rear view of the apparatus
illustrating a venting feature thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS
(0023) Referring to Figs. 1-2, there is shown an
apparatus 10 for packaging disposable objects in an
elongated tube 18 of flexible plastic film material. The
apparatus 10 comprises a bin 1 having a top portion 3 and a
bottom portion 5 hingedly connected to each other by a hinge
member 7, with outer walls 4,6 of the top and bottom
portions 3,5 defining an enclosure 2 of the bin 1. In the
embodiment shown, the top portion 3 and bottom portion 5
have substantially the same height, such that the hinge
member 7 is located approximately at mid-height of the bin
1. Alternate configurations are also possible, as long as
the various elements attached to the top portion 3 and
described below do not interfere with the pivoting motion
between the two portions 3,5. Such alternate configurations
include, for example, the top portion 3 forming a major
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portion of the bin 1 with the bottom portion 5 forming a
lesser portion.
(0024 The top and bottom portions 3, 5 are locked
together with a mechanism such as a push button latch 9,
located opposite of the hinge member 7. Upon actuation of
the push button 9, the top and bottom portions 3,5 are
disconnected and can be pivoted apart about the hinge member
7 to provide access to the enclosure 2, for example to empty
the bin 1.
(0025 The top portion 3 defines an opening 13 for
receiving disposable objects therethrough, and the bin 1
further comprises a lid 11 hingedly connected to the top
portion 3 such as to selectively open and close access to
the opening 13. Although in the embodiment shown the
apparatus has a generally circular opening 13, the present
invention is not limited to circular openings and could
function with openings of different shapes.
(0026 Still referring to Figs. 1-2, the apparatus 10
also comprises a holder 15 located within the top portion 3
proximate the opening 13 for holding a cassette 17 of
flexible unfoldable plastic film tubing 18, the cassette
having a central opening 19 which is generally aligned with
the bin opening 13. The cassette 17 has a top portion 21 and
a bottom portion 23, and the flexible tubing 18 exits from
the top portion 21 towards and beyond the bottom portion 23.
It will be understood that such cassettes are well known in
the art and essentially comprise a length of flexible
plastic film material that is folded (see for example such a
cassette shown in US patent application number
US2003/0121923). However, to better contain odors it is
preferable that the film material be a multiple layer film
having an odor barrier therein such that odors do not
permeate through the film material.
(0027 In the embodiment shown, the holder 15 includes a
top annular flange 12 extending inwardly from the top of the
outer wall 4 of the top portion 3. A tubular vertical wall
14 extends downwardly from an inner end of the top annular
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flange 12. A bottom annular flange 16 extends inwardly from
a bottom end of the tubular vertical wall 14, thus defining
a seat where the cassette 17 is supported with the top
portion 21 thereof substantially aligned with the top of the
bin 1. The bottom annular flange 16 extends without
substantially blocking the central opening 19 of the
cassette 17 to avoid interference with the movement of the
flexible tubing 18. One will also appreciate that the holder
15 may take many alternate shapes and forms. In an alternate
aspect, the holder 15 could be a horizontal flange
surrounding the opening 13, upon which the top portion 21 of
the cassette 17 would rest. It is also understood that other
types and geometries of cassettes 17 can be used with the
present invention, and as such the holder 15 can take any
alternate configuration adapted to the type of cassette 17
used.
~0o28~ Again referring to Figs. 1-2, the apparatus 10
further includes a closing mechanism 25 whose purpose is to
provide access to the flexible tubing extending therebelow
and preventing odors from escaping from the flexible tubing
18. In one form of use, it permits the disposable objects to
push down against the bottom of the tube to draw out the
flexible tubing 18. One aspect of note is that the flexible
tubing 18 passes over the closing mechanism 25, thereby
isolating the mechanism 25 from the disposable objects to be
packaged, reducing the need for constant cleaning of the
mechanism 25. In this respect, one will appreciate that one
of the prefered uses for the apparatus 10 of the present
invention is the disposal of baby diapers.
X00297 The closing mechanism 25 comprises a fixed portion
27, which comprises a generally "C"-shaped member rigidly
connected under the bottom annular flange 16 of the holder
15. Alternate types of connections are also possible for the
fixed portion 27, including connection to an additional
support member connected to the holder 15 or to another part
of the top portion 3. The curved fixed portion 27 defines a
rounded apex 29 which projects into the opening 13, as can
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be also seen in Fig. 7. The fixed portion 27 defines a
receiving surface 28 downwardly inclined toward a movable
portion 31 of the closing mechanism 25.
LOO3o~ The movable portion 31 of the closing mechanism 25
is also generally "C"-shaped inside cross-section and is
biased against the fixed portion 27 in a closed position
shown in Figs. 1-2 such as to generally close the opening 13
of the apparatus 10. The curved movable portion 31 defines a
rounded apex 32 projecting into the opening 13, as can also
be seen in Fig. 7. The movable portion 31 defines a
receiving surface 34 downwardly inclined toward the fixed
portion 27, the two receiving surfaces 28,34 forming a "V"
directing an object therebetween. In the closed position,
contact between the two portions 27,31, which in the
embodiment shown is between the apex 32 of the movable
portion and a bottom part of the fixed portion located below
the apex 29 thereof. These portions are wave-shaped to
provide comfort to the hand of a user person. It also
provides good sealing of a plastic film tube 18 engaged or
pinched therebetween.
LOO3i~ The movable portion 31 is slidingly supported by a
support 35 which includes a pair of spaced apart, generally
vertical walls 39 extending downwardly from the holder 15,
for example from the bottom flange 16, with the opening 13
being aligned therebetween. Each of the walls 39 has a
bottom, angled edge 40. A bottom piece 41, which in the
embodiment shown is integral with the fixed portion 27 but
can alternately be independent therefrom, interconnects the
bottom edges 40 of the two walls 39. The bottom piece 41 has
a substantially "U"-shape including two wall members 43
connected at one end to the fixed portion 27 and
interconnected at another end by a transverse member 45 (see
Fig. 2). Each wall member 43 is connected to the bottom edge
40 of one of the walls 39 to define an angled slot 37
therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the slot 37 is angled
at approximately 40° with respect to the horizontal,
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although any other working angle can meet the objects of the
invention with appropriate modifications.
(0032) Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the movable
portion 31 includes aligned pins 47 extending therefrom and
engaging the slots 37, such that the movable portion 31 is
slidingly movable along an angular direction defined by the
slots 37. The distance between the transverse member 45 and
the fixed portion 27 is such that the movable portion 31 can
move between the closed position and an opened position
(shown in Fig. 4) enough to let a disposable object 55 to
pass between the portions 27,31.
(0033) As shown in Fig.2, an elongated helical spring 49
is connected to and extends between the two pins 47 of the
movable portion 31 and around the back of the fixed portion
27, such as to bias the movable portion 31 in the closed
position. The concave shape of the back of the fixed portion
27 helps maintain the spring 49 aligned in a plane defined
by the slots 37.
(0034) Alternately, the fixed portion 27 can be replaced
by a portion movable opposite of the movable portion 31, the
two being biased together in the closed position. Such a
configuration could be, for example, two sliding members
symmetrical with respect to one another about a vertical
axis defined at the point of contact therebetween, such as
two "C"-shaped members similar in configuration to the
movable member 31 shown, two rollers, etc., which are
slidable away from each other upon downwardly pushing an
object thereon, and are biased together for example by being
roterconnected by one or a plurality of springs. However,
such a mechanism includes additional parts and is not as
reliable.
(0035) In order to assist the user in correctly placing
the disposable object 55, the apparatus may further
advantageously be provided with a ring 61 removably
installed over the cassette 17, providing a downward shape
around the openings 13, 19 which creates a funnel effect and
guides the user's hand.
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~0036~ Referring particularly to Fig.2, the apparatus 10
can further include, within the bin 1, an integrated cutting
tool 50, which can be for example attached to the transverse
member 45 of the support 35, and can include a blade 52
located between two spaced apart protective fingers 54 sized
such as to prevent a user's finger from reaching the blade
52 but still allowing a portion of tubing 18 to be inserted
between the fingers 54 to be cut on the blade 52.
(0037 In order to prepare the apparatus for use, and
with reference to Fig.l, a user person opens the cover 11,
takes a leading edge 51 of flexible tubing 18, ties it into
a knot 53 and pushes the knot 53 beyond the region.33, just
beyond the closing mechanism 25. Alternately, the tube end
with the knot 53 could be pulled down to the bottom of the
bin l, for example by pivoting and opening the top portion 3
such as to. gain access to the enclosure 2, and pulling the
tube end with the knot 53 through the closing mechanism 25
and beyond to the bottom of the bin. The top portion 3 is
then re-engaged with the bottom portion 5. Accordingly a
length of empty flexible tubing 18 extends to the bottom and
is now ready to receive disposable objects 55 therein from
the closing mechanism. Therefore, the film material is not
pulled from the cassettes as disposable objects are placed
into the tube.
~0038~ In use and referring to Fig.3, when a disposable
object 55 needs to be packaged, the lid ll of the apparatus
is lifted, thereby providing access to the opening 13.
The disposable object 55 to be packaged is placed into the
opening 13 (in this case, the cassette 17 of flexible tubing
18 surrounds the object 55). The receiving surfaces 28,34 of
the fixed and movable portions 27,31 of the closing
mechanism biased together in the closed position form a "V"
which directs the disposable object 55 in the hand of a user
person toward the contact region 33.
~oo3s~ As shown in Figs. 3-5, the user person pushes the
disposable object 55 in a downward direction as illustrated
by arrow 56. The angled receiving surface 34 of the movable
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portion 31 helps the downward force to be easily converted
along the direction of the slots 37 such as to force the
movable portion 31 from its closed position in contact with
the fixed portion 27 (Fig. 3) to its open position (Figs. 4-
5) against the force of the spring 49, through a sliding
movement illustrated by arrow 57 in Figs. 4-5. Since the
movable portion 31 is moved by the force applied on the
disposable object 55, it slides only enough for the
disposable object 55 to go through, with most of the opening
created by the movement of the movable portion 31 being
blocked by the disposable object 55 such as to minimize the
propagation of odors through the opening 13.
eoo4o~ Referring now to Fig. 6, once the disposable
object 55 passes beyond the apex 32 of the movable portion
31, the user person releases the disposable object 55 and
withdraws his or her hand. The movable portion 31, under the
action of the spring 49, rapidly returns to the closed
position through a sliding movement illustrated by arrow 58,
effectively sealing the object 55 within the flexible tubing
18. The curved profile of the fixed portion 27 below the
apex 29 and more importantly of the movable portion 31 below
the apex 32 help push the disposable object 55 further down,
if there is resistance, as the movable portion 31 returns to
the closed position to apply a downward pushing force. Of
course, if a tube has been drawn out the disposable objects
face down by gravity into the tube, as previously described.
~0041~ For each new disposable object 55 to be packed,
the process is repeated, each time either dropping the
disposable object within the already drawn length of
flexible tubing 18 within the enclosure 2, or drawing out an
additional length of flexible tubing 18 to accommodate
another disposable object as the disposable object moves
down into the tube inside the apparatus 10, until the
enclosure 2 is full, containing an object-filled segment of
flexible film tubing 18. The top portion 3 is pivoted away
from the bottom portion 5. The flexible tubing 18 is then
cut, for example by using the cutting tool 50 provided, and
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then tied to form a substantially sealed pouch which can be
removed from the bin 1. The top portion 3 is pivoted back
into engagement with the bottom portion 5 to use the
apparatus 10 again as described above.
(0042 As mentioned hereinabove, by using plastic film
cassettes wherein the film has an odor barrier greatly
reduces accumulated light odors within the bin, when in use.
However, when the top portion 3 of the bin is opened to
remove a filled tubing segment, accumulated light odors are
released and this can create a foul smell. In order to
prevent accumulation of such light odors, the apparatus can
be provided with vent .slots 60 and 61 located at a bottom
end and near a top end, respectively, of the unit as shown
in Fig. 8 or at any other convenient locations. This
provides for constant venting should there be an escape of
odor about the film tube. Accordingly, foul odors cannot
accumulate to increase the concentration thereof which would
be released by opening the top portion 3 of the bin.
(0043 Advantages of the present invention include the
use of a wedge-type closing mechanism 25 of simple
construction with few parts to seal the flexible tubing 18.
The mechanism 25 greatly reduces the complexity of the
apparatus 10, makes the assembly simple, and allows for the
use of a lesser quantity of flexible tubing 18 than prior
art devices. Furthermore, angling the course of the movable
portion 31 permits the optimization of little horizontal
clearance versus the force required to bias the movable
portion 31. Finally, the shape of the individual portions of
the mechanism (as seen in cross-section), prevent disposable
objects from "coming back up" - that is, once a disposable
object has been inserted under pressure to pull film
material, it will be forced to remain in the flexible tubing
by the closing mechanism.
(0044 As above mentioned, the portions 31 and 27,
particularly the receiving surfaces 28,34 have alternating
rounded peaks and valleys, which are roughly sized to mate a
human finger, permitting ease of entry of the disposable
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object into the flexible tubing with a hand, as shown in
Fig. 7.
~0045~ The embodiment of the present invention described
above is intended to be exemplary. Those skilled in the art
will therefore appreciate that the foregoing description is
illustrative only, and that various alternate configurations
and modifications can be devised without departing from the
spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is intended to embrace all such configurations,
modifications and variances which fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
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