Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02616945 2008-01-10
Waste Storage Device
This is a divisional application of Canadian Patent Application Serial No.
2,369,563 filed on April 7, 2000.
Tbe invention relates to a waste storage device and a method of operatior,
of such a device.
It should be understood that the expression "the invention" and the like
encompasses the subject-matter of both the parent and the divisional
applications.
One known waste storage device is disclosed in GB Patent
No. 2206094 and described here with reference to Fig. 1. The device
is particularly useful for the storage for subsequent disposal of waste
such as babies' nappies or other personal waste material. A plastics container
21
is formed with an internal flange 22 from which a cylinder 23 extends upwards.
A pack consisting of a tubular core 1 inside a profusely circumferentially
pleated
length of flexible tubing 2 is located in the container 21 with the core I
resting on
the flange 22 and rotatable on the cylinder 23. To"begin using the pack to
form a
series of packages of objects, which in this particular example will be
considered
to be babies' disposable nappies, the top of the flexible tubing 2 is pulled
upwards
and tied into a knot 24. This closed end can then form the bottom of a package
to
be formed along the length of part of the tubing. This is effected by pushing
the
closed end downwards inside the core 1 and cylinder 23 by the object to be
packaged. As this is being done the flexible tubing 2 from the pleated length
slides over the top edge 25 (Fig_ 1) of the core 1 which is made sufficiently
smooth to prevent the flexible tubing from being damaged. The core I may be
approximately four inches (10.16cm) diameter but, of course, the diameter of
the
flexible tubing 2 is substantially more than this.
When the object has been thcvst well into the concentric core 1 and
cylinder 23, the package is closed by twisting the flexible tubing 2 above the
object as at 30 (Fig. 1). This is done by turning the core I with remaining
pleated
tubing thereon about the core axis. A unit 31 is formed for this purpose in
that it
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2
has a depending annular flange 50 formed-with an outer surface that is a taper
fit
in a fivsto-conical inner surface 51 at the top of the core 1. The package is
prevented from tuming about the axis of the core during this manual twisting
action by springs 52 fixed to the container 21 and projecting radially inwards
to
engage the package. These springs are equidistantly spaced round the container
21. Shallow, grooves dividing upwardly extending ridgcs are formed on the
frusto-conical inner surface 51 to stop slippage of the flexible tubing during
the
twisting operating.
By the aforesaid means, a series of connected closed packages 35 are
formed and this can be continued until the pleated tubing 2 is exhausted. In
the
arrangement of Fig. 1 the packages coliect in a bin portion 36 of the
container
closed at the bottom by a hinged base 53 normally held closed by a manually
operable catch of suitable type. When it is desired to remove the packages
from
the bin portion 36 for transport to a waste disposal facility, the uppermost
package
is severed above its upper twisted closure 30 and the hinged base 53 opened
for
the removal of the packages through the end of the bin portion. Even if the
twisted seals between the packages become loosened, the lid and the newIy
formed topmost twisted seal with prevent the escape of odours, vapours and
gases
to the ambient atmosphere. However, it has been found that when the tubing 2
is
made of high density polyethylene the twisted joints remain remarkably tight.
A development of this arrangement is disclosed in GB
2292725 and described here with refererice to Fig. 2. It will be
seen that an outwardly flared funnel 12 having an inlet edge 15 is
detachably connected to the top of the core 1 by a taper joint 16. The funnel
improves the hygiene of the device yet further because the flexible tubing 2
is
drawn from the pack as an object is pushed down, over the inlet edge 15 of the
funnel 12 to present a fresh and hygienic layer of tubing in the flared part
of the
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3
funnel. The funnel 12 is twisted to obtain the twisted closurc 30. An
altetnative
spring arrangement 14 is shown in Fig. 2 and described fully in GB 2292725.
GB 2206094 and GB2292725 both additionally disclose a cutting arrangenzent for
severing the tubing when it is desired to remove the packages for disposal. A
further improved cutting arrangement is described in International Patent
Application No. GB99/00243.
These known systems allow a simple and hygienic method of storing a
large number of sanitary objects or packages such as diapers for disposal in
an
odour-free environment However a certain amount of manual intervention is
required for example opening lid, pushing the package through the jaws and
twisting the tubing above it In particular in some cornmercial applications
the
user may wish to perform the operation with minimum intervention in particular
to minimise contact with an apparatus containing -waste from different
origins.
The invention is set out in the clairn_s_ The invention provides a simple,
low intervention, hygienic pedal operated system_ The invention can be used
without the need for twistine in one embodiment, a pair of rollers pinching a
storage bao to prevent escape of odours, and the rollers may be symmelrically
driven to rotate, improving the operation of the sy:stera. Alternatively a
pair of
paddle rollers allow the waste to be dtawn down between successive pinch
points.
Provision of sensors allows the operation to be automated.
References herein to a storage bag or bag relate also to the flexible tubing
discussed above having a knotted or otherwise closed end, or in its open
configuration but acting as a bag.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste
storage device comprising a waste inlet for insertion of a waste product, a
storage
space for the waste product and a throat therebetween, the waste storage
device
being an-anged to receive a waste bag at the inlet, said waste bag extending
into the
storage space through said throat a gripper means provided at the throat
operable to
draw the waste product and bag through the throat and close the bag at the
throat,
said gripper means comprising co-operating rollers arranged to draw the waste
product and bag through the throat by rotation and close the bag at the throat
by
pinching action, wherein the co-operating rollers are rotated by a leverage-
operated
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3a
drive, said.leverage-operated drive biased to the rest position and arranged
to rotate the
rollers on its return to the rest position.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste
storage device comprising a waste inlet for insertion of a waste product, a
storage space
for the waste product and a throat therebetween, the waste storage device
being arranged
to receive a waste bag at the waste inlet, said waste bag extending into the
storage space
through the throat, the waste storage device including a rotatable support
provided in the
waste inlet arranged to fix the waste bag rotatably relative thereto, and
rotating means
operable for rotating the support relative to the throat, said rotating means
being rotated
by a leverage-operated drive, the leverage-operated drive being a pedal, and
wherein the
leverage-operated drive is biased to a rest position and includes means for
loading the
support for rotation, and releasing the support to rotate once the drive
returns to the rest
position.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method
of disposing of waste in a waste storage device, the waste storage device
including a
throat, flexible tubing provided in the throat, gripper means, gripper drive
means and a
moveable throat cover in which the moveable cover is opened, waste is placed
in the
throat, the moveable cover is closed and the drive means operates the gripper
means to
draw the waste and flexible tubing through the throat and close the flexible
tubing at the
throat, the gripper means comprising co-operating rollers arranged to draw the
waste
product and flexible tubing through the throat by rotation and close the
flexible tubing at
the throat by a pinching action, the co-operating rollers being rotated by a
leverage-
operated drive, and wherein the leverage-operated drive is biased to a rest
position and
arranged to rotate the rollers on its return to the rest position.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste
storage
device comprising a waste inlet for insertion of a waste product, a storage
space for the
waste product and a throat therebetween, the waste storage device being
arranged to
receive a waste bag at the inlet, said waste bag extending into the storage
space through
said throat, a gripper means provided at the throat operable to draw the waste
product and
bag through the throat and close the bag at the throat, said gripper means
comprising co-
operating rotatably mounted paddle assemblies biased into engagement with one
another,
each assembly comprising at least one paddle extending from a central axis of
rotation,
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3b
and having an end tip, the paddle assemblies synchronized such that as they
rotate, their
respective paddle tips come into engagement with each other to pinch the waste
bag
between them, the paddle assemblies being free to move together and apart
relative to
each other.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method
of disposing of waste in a waste storage device, the waste storage device
including a
throat, flexible tubing provided in the throat, gripper means, gripper drive
means and a
moveable throat cover wherein the moveable cover is caused to open by a sensor
and a
control means, waste is placed in the throat, the moveable cover is closed
automatically
by the control means after a predetermined period and, subsequent to the cover
closing,
the control means controls the drive means operates the gripper means to draw
the waste
and flexible tubing through the throat and close the flexible tubing at the
throat.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
waste
storage device comprising:
a waste inlet for insertion of a waste product;
a storage space for the waste product;
a throat between said waste inlet and said storage space, the waste storage
device being
arranged to receive a waste bag at the inlet, said waste bag extending into
the storage
space through said throat;
a gripper means provided at the throat operable to draw the waste product and
bag
through the throat and close the bag at the throat;
a moveable throat cover;
control means for moving the cover; and
sensor means for sensing user proximity and issuing a signal to the control
means to
move the cover to an open position, the control means being arranged to close
the cover
at a predetenmined time after it is opened and subsequently to control a drive
means to
operate the gripper means.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a
waste
storage device comprising a waste inlet for insertion of a waste product, a
storage space
for the waste product and a throat therebetween, the waste storage device
being arranged
to receive a waste bag at the inlet, said waste bag extending into a storage
space through
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3c
said throat, a gripper means provided at the throat operable to draw the waste
product and
bag through the throat and close the bag at the throat, said gripper means
comprising co-
operating rotatably mounted paddle assemblies, each assembly comprising at
least one
paddle extending from a central axis of rotation, and each assembly being
mounted on a
respective pivoting support arm on which the assemblies are free to move
together and
apart relative to each other.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the drawings, of which:
Fig. I is a partially cut-away side view of a device of known type;
Fig. 2 is a partial sectional side view of another device of known type;
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4
Fig. 3 is a partially sectional, schematic view showing a waste storage
device according to the present invention;
Fig 4 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows the storage of packages in the waste storage device in a first
configuration;
Fig. 6 shows a detail of a means of rotating the core of flexible tubing in a
waste storage device;
Fig: 7 shows an alternative inlet arrangement for the waste storage device;
Fig. 8 shows a modular component for the system;
Fig. 9 in a cut-away view of components of a second embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 10 shows a detail of the second embodiment of Fig. 9; and
Fig. 11 shows a detail of the support arm according to the second
embodiment of the invention.
The invention relates to a waste storage device of an improved type, in
particular one which allows a simplified single-step operation. Referring to
Fig. 3,
in a preferred embodiment a container 21 includes a pedal assembly designated
generally 100 which is connected via linkages described in more detail below
to a
pair of rollers which draw the package and flexible tubing down into the
container
and to means for rotating the core containing the flexible tubing to twist the
tubing
between the package and the lid of the container. The various linkages are
spring
loaded such that when the pedal is depressed the lid opens, the rollers are
primed
to draw the package downwards and the core containing the tubing is primed to
rotate. Once the package has been inserted the pedal is released closing the
lid,
drawing the package downwards and finally rotating the core to close it above
the
packaging. As a result a fully automated system is achieved.
SUBSTtTUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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Referring to Fig. 3 in more detail, the pedal assembly 100 includes a pedal
face 101 projecting from a suitable aperture in the container wall 21, towards
the
base of the container allowing easy foot operation. The pedal face 101 extends
from an arTrl 115 centrally pivotally mounted on a first pivot 200. A second
arm
5 121 is also centrally pivotally mounted on a pivot 202 and symmetrically
positioned about the centre line of the container with relation to the first
arm 115.
In their relaxed position the arms 115, 121 slant downwardly towards the
centre of
the container 21 and are connected at their lower ends by a pin and slot
arrangement 204, 206 allowing symmetrical pivotal movement of the arm 121
mirroring that to the arm 115 as the pedal face 101 is depressed providing
improved control and operation of the system as a whole. Also connected to the
arms 115 and 121 at the connecting point is an upwardly extending fiuther arm
116 which has at its upper end a freeiy rotating chain sprocket 138.
Below the core i of flexible tubing 2 are provided a pair of rollers 111,
each biased into engagement with one another by arms 105 (of which only one is
sbown for clarity) loaded by springs 208. The tubing passes between the
rollers
I 11 and is pinched between them to cut off odours from the storage space
below
the rollers_ The rollers 1 I I are an-anged for drawing flexible tubing and a
package
down into the body oÃthe container_ The rollers are driven by a chain 210
which
is fixed at each end to an upper end (in the rest position) of the respective
airns
115, 121, preferably via pivoting spring assemblies 123 allowing flexibilitv
and
give in the arrangement whilst maintaining tension at all times. The chain
passes
over a sprocket 180 on each roller 111 and down around the underside of the
sprocket 138 on the arm 116 between and below the rollers. As a result the
chain
210 adopts an M-configuration.
Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that rollers 1 I 1 interact with locking
or
clutch pins 37,119 allowing one-way operation by chain 210. The operation of
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6
the one-way drive assembly will be familiar to the skilled person, and any
form of
one-way drive, for example a suitable clutch is appropriate. In the version
shown,
as the chain passes in the fitst direction as the pedal is depressed, clutch
pin 199
which has an angled face slips over the corresponding angle-toothed face of a
clutch plate, whilst clutch pin 137 which has an angled face locks against the
oppositcly angle-toothed face of a further clutch plate. When the direction of
rotation reverses, the clutch pin 119 locks against the oppositely-angled
toothed
face of the clutch plate, whilst clutch pin 137 conversely slips. Clutch pin
119 is =
keyed to the sprocket 180 via an axle through the roller 111 in the embodiment
shown. It will be appreciated that references to a' clutch" embrace the specif-
c
angle-toothed arrangement set out above together with any other appropriate
one-
way drive.
Arm 115 is further biased into the rest, upwardly slanted position by a
tension spring 113 extending upwardly to an anchor point on the container 21.
Arm 121 is attached via a rigid link 104 (partially shown) to a pivot point
212
offset from and generally above a pivot hinge 214 for the container lid 3. The
rigid link 104 is also attached to the twisting arrangement designated
generally
150 and discussed in more detail below.
This part of the operation of the invention will now be described in more
detail. As the pedal face 101 is depressed the arm 115 pivots in an anti-
clockwise
direction about pivot 200. At the same time, by virtue of the engagement of
pin
204 and slot 206 the symmetrical ann 121 pivots in a clockwise direction about
pivot 202. Ihe pin 204 and slot 206 move to an over centre position such that
the
arms 115 and 121 now slant in the opposite direction from the centre of the
container 21 downwardly. The ends of the chain 210 are drawn downwardly,
tension being maintained by the spring arrangements 123 on the respective ends
of the arms 115, 12 1. At the same time arm 116 is raised such that the chain
. . . ' . Y '. ' == . . -
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7
sprocket 138 is in the position shown generally as 138'. However because of
the
clutch pin arrangement 137,119, the chain slips relative to the rollers 111
such
that they do not rotate. At the same time, tension spring 113 is held under
tension,
urging the ann 115 back to its original position. Rigid link 104 is drawn
downwardly by arm 121, pulling the container lid 3 into an open position by
virtue of the offset of the pivot points 212, 214.
Accordingly at this stage the arrangement is primed for use, the pedal face
101 in its depressed position. A package such as a diaper or other waste
product is
inserted into the centre of the core 1 as explained in more detail above: The
pedal
face 101 is then released and the arm 115 is urged into its original position
by
tension spring 113. At the same time arm 121 is also urged to its original
position
bv virtue of the interaction of pin 204 and slot 206, closing the lid 3
through the
rigid links 104. The arm 116 is drawn downwardly bringino with it chain
sprocket 138. Chain 210 now engages rollers 111 as clutch pins 137,119 now
engage. As a result the rollers are driven such that their contacting faces
each
draw the package dowmvardly_ The rollers are able to separate to accommodate
the paclcage by virtue of the spring loaded arms 105. In order to load a new
core 1
with flexible tubing 2 it is simply necessarv to knot the end of the tubing
and push
it down between the rollers 111 so that it is securely gripped_
As a result the user merely has to depress the pedal face 101 and insert the
package into the open centre of the core 1. Depression of the pedal face I
preloads the system such that mere release of the pedal face 101 allows the
remainder of the operation to be completed without further user intervention.
As
can be seen the embodiment includes a funnel 12 as discussed in relation to
Fig. 2.
In addition there is provided in the preferred embodiment an outer bag 220
into
which the flexible tubing containine the packages is received. As a result the
hygiene of the system for the user is enhanced in particular by the funnel 12,
and a
. . . . r ~ ~ . .
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8
double-layer system is provided to reduce the risk of osmosis by virtue of the
outer bag 220. This arrangement is described in more detail in intemationai
application No. W098/17536. In addition the cover has a continuously curved
upper surface preventing users from resting items such as cigarette ends on
it.
Referring now to Fig. 5, the packaging arrangement achieved by the =
invention described thus far is shown. In particular the rollers 111 pinch the
flexible tubing above the package that has been most recently drawn through,
recording risk of odour escape. = In addition a tight seal and generally tight
packaging as shown at 34 are achieved as air is squeezed out by the rollers
111
allowing additional compaction of waste in a given volume. In practice this
system is simple to manufacture and operate and requires minimal user effort
whilst maintaining the level of hygiene and ease of use of previous waste
disposal
systems.
Alternatively or in addition a linkage system can be incorporated as
discussed above allowing a further step of twisting the flexible tubing above
successive packages. Retunning to Fig 3. arm 121 is further attached to an
upwardly extending rigid link 110 at a pivot point 220 an-anged above and to
the
right of the main pivot 202 in a relaxed position. As a result when pedal face
101
is depressed and arm 121 rotates in a clockwise direction about pivot 202,
rigid
link 110 is drawn downwardly. Attached to the upper end of the.link 110 is a
catch assembly 109 which is generally V-shaped, with pivot point 222 at the
apex
of the V, a point of connection to the link 110 at one end and a catch at the
other
end. Movement of the link I 10 rotates the catch 109 into and out of
engagement
with a stop 131 on a tension spring 118. The tension spring 118 is attached
via
stop 131to a cable 125. The cable 125 passes around a pair of V-pulleys 102,
108
having axes parallel to one anotheT and perpendicular to the axis of rotation
of the
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9
core 1. The cable is attached at its other end to the upper end of arm 115 in
its
relaxed position.
Fig. 6 shows, between the V-pulleys 102, 108, the cable 25 passing around
an outer, rotatable support 230 for the core I and anchored at 127 thereto.
The
outer support 230 has an annular horizontal face on which an inner support 232
for the core rests and a vertical outer face around which the cable passes.
The
inner support 232 is rotatable on the outer support 230 but rotatably fixed in
relation to the core 1 which rests upon it. Rotation of the inner and outer
supports
230, 232 can be locked by a catch 107 allowing the outer support 230 to rotate
independently of the inner support 232 in a first direction, but to lock
rotation of
both of them in the opposite direction. Operation of the catch 107 is again in
accordance with the principles of a one-way clutch which will be well-known to
the skilled person. In particular a pair of clutches having angled faces
cooperating
with saw-toothed clutch faces may be provided allowing simultaneous lock and
slip in a first direction, and the converse in the reverse direction, as
discussed in
relation to clutch pins 119,137 discussed above. Preferably the angle of the
faces
is shallow allowing reasonable freedom in the drive slipping direction.
When the foot pedal is depressed the cable 12 is drawn downwardly
around pulley 102, and rotates the outer support 230 in the fust direction. In
this
direction the catch 107 is diseneaged such that the inner support 232 does not
rotate with the outer support 230. The cable passes around pulley 108 and
draws
the tension spring 118 into tension. The tension spring 118 is locked in that
position by catch 109 which is rotated into engagement with the stop 131 as
the
rigid link 110 is drawn downwardly by the arm 121. In addition, as discussed
in
more detail above, the rollers 1 I 1 are preloaded, the lid 3 is lifted
upwardly and so
forth. When the pedal face 101 is released the ann 115 is drawn back upwardly
by viriue of the tension spring 113, rotating the rollers and drawing the
packages
. . . . . . , Y ' .. ' . - .
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WO 00/61466 PCT/GB00f01307
down as discussed in more detail above. The an:n 121 reverts to its original
position pushing rigid link 110 upwardly and rotating the catch 109 out of
engagement with stop 131. The catch 109 and stop 131 co-operate such that the
stop is released only at the end of the stroke of the rigid link 110. As a
result,
5 once the ann 121 has reverted to its rest position, and the package has been
drawn
below rollers I 11, spring 118 is released allowing it to contract. This draws
the
cable 125 rapidly downwardly around the pulley 108, rotating the outer support
230 in the opposite direction and hence, by virtue of engagement of the catch
107,
the inner support 232 as well. As a result the core I is twisted relative to
the
10 rollers 111 creating a twist in the flexi-ble tubing 2 above the package.
Whcn the
outer support 230 stops rotating, there may be a small amount of additional
rotation of the inner support 232 by virtue of its momentum because of the
rapidity at which the spring 118 relaxes and the shallow angle on the clutch
slip
face in the drive direction, creating further twisting and a yet tighter seal_
Fig. 7 shows a slight variant on the arrangement of Fig. 5 in which a
different shaped funnel is provided allowing certain waste items to be more
easily
inserted. In particular the funnel is of an elongate oval shape but any
appropriate
shape may be selected as long as its circumference is substantially the same
as that
of the circular funnel.
It will be appreciated that the pedal assembly 100 including the chain 210,
and the rotating assembly 150 can be provided offset from the flexible tubing
and
outer bag 220, as can be seen in Fig. 4. As a result there is no interference
between the assembly and the positioning and storage of the packages. In
addition
the assembly can be made in modular form as shown in Fig. 8 and retrofitted to
existing arrangements in any sized container.
Referring now to Fig. 9, an alternative embodiment is shown in which the
foot operated system is replaced by a motor driven system. As discussed
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11
previously, the waste inlet includes a funnel 303 over which a length of
flexible
tubing 304 passes stored in a cassette 305, the flexible tubing 304 is drawn
down
into a waste receptacle (not shown) below a pair of rollers 315 carrying
paddles or
fingers 316. In the embodiment shown the paddles include rounded rubber or
otherwise flexible ends 320, and the rollers 31 5 are arranged to rotate in
contrary
directions synchronised such that, as the rollers rotate, the corresponding
paddles
from each roller come into engagement between the rollers. The rollers are
mounted on support arms 314 and are biased together by a tension spring 317
linking their axes of rotation such that the blades are pulled into engagement
but
the rollers can nonetheless rotate.
A motor 318 which can be, for example, a 12 volt DC motor co-operates
with a gear train to drive a gear 310 which drives a first roller 315 and a
second
eear 311. The second gear 311 drives a second roller 315 such that the two
rollers
rotate in contrary direction. The rollers 31 5 preferably include gears
:12,313 on
13 which the paddles are mounted.
Tumincy now to the rollers 315 once again, in the version shown five
equiangular paddles are provided on each roller although it will be
appreciated
that any appropriate number of paddles can be adopted. Each of the paddle
blade
tips is covered bv a soft rubber extrusion 320 which ensures a high
coefficient of
friction between the paddle blade tip and the extemal face of the film to
prevent
slipping. As a result as the paddles rotate into engaeement with one another
and
then move generally downwards, they pull the ftim at the same time, a constant
pinching force being introduced by the biasing of pinch springs 317 (a
further.
spring is provided at the rear, not shown).
Referring now to Fig. 10 further detail of the upper part of the waste
disposal device is shown, where common reference numerals denote common
parts. Mounted to the thin outer body 306 are pivoting dual-type lid halves
302
Y . . .
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12
which pivot between a closed position (shown in solid lines) and an open
position
(shown in dotted tines). ln the open position waste can be placed into funnel
303.
The lid halves are powered in any appropriate manner to open upon detection of
a
waste product by infrared or other appropriate sensor 301 wliich is connected
to
appropriate control means (not shown)_ One paddle roller 315 is shown in side
view from which it can be seen that the paddles are planar in nature and
elongate
such that their blade tips 316 extend the full length of the waste aperture
width
such that the entiretv of the flexible tubing is pinched closed between them.
The
transmission between the motor and gear train 8 and the paddles can be seen
more
clearly from Fig. 10, in particular the motor shaft transnzits the drive via
pinion
309 to gear 310 (visible in Fig. 9). As can also be seen from Fig. 10, in the
embodiment shown, the pinch sprinc, 317 extends between the upper ends of the
support arms through which the axes 322 of the rollers pass.
In operation the bin is opened by the user passing their hand in front of the
infrared or other sensor 301 mounted behind a lens (not shown) in the main
case
of the bin or receptacle 306. When the beam is broken the main outer lid 302
is
powered open to reveal the funnel 303 and fiim 304. Control means are provided
to control the operation and in the preferred embodiment the outer lid remains
open for approximately 4.5 seconds giving the user sufficient time to place
the
waste material into the funnel. Closure of the lid 302 allows the motor 308 to
be
powered for a period, for example, of 15 seconds, the period being determined
such that an appropriate length of film is drawn through the funnel. On
insertion
the waste material sits close to the pinch point between two engaging paddles
on
the rollers 315. As the film is drawn down and new film pulled out to replace
it
from the cartridge 305, the waste is also drawn down into the waste receptacle
(best seen in Fig. 10). Once the cycle has been completed the device is ready
to
be activated by the next user.
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13
The gear train 310, 311, 312, 313 ensures that each paddle is driven by the
motor as discussed above. To avoid the gears 312, 313 meshing their diameter
is
smaU enough that when the roller axles are closest together (the position
where the
paddle tips are fiuthest from an imaginary line joining the axles of the
rollers) the
gears still do not meet. The support arms 314 mesh with each other at point
324
such that the rollers 315 are both equally displaced as waste passes between
them.
In the embodiment shown the support arms 314 are meshed by providing a nose
on one atm registering with a notch on the other.
To accommodate a greater range of movement, this simpler arrangement
can be replaced by a gear arrangement as shown in Fig. 11. Fig. I 1 shows the
detail of a support arm including an improved meshing feature with the
cotresponding support arm. As will be seen the arm includes a toothed circular
portion arranged to engage with a similarly toothed or notched portion on the
other arm allowing a greater degree of movement in register with one another.
Preferably the arm is an H section. In particular a plurality of teeth 330 can
be
seen.
The axles 326 of the lower gears 310,311 rotate in bearings on the
receptacle main body or fixed relative to the receptacle main body. The
support
amts 314 pivot around the axles 326 at their lower ends. The rollers 315 are
held
in the desired position, but free to move together and apart symmetrically, by
virtue of the spring connection between the upper ends of the support arms 314
and the mesh engagement with the gears 310,311.
Because paddles or vanes are provided, the waste product placed into the
funnel does not have to pass through the pinch point between co-operating
paddles 320. For example in the embodiment shown, the pinch point moves
downward by approximately 60mm and the next pair of blades accordingly pinch
approximately 60mm above the previous pinch point. Packages up to 70mm tliick
CA 02616945 2008-01-10
WO 00/61466 PCT/GB00/01307
14
can be accommodated especially if the support arms are meshed as discussed
above.
At the end of the operation the flexible tubing 304 is once again pinched
above the waste area such that users cannot see down into the waste area and
odours do not escape from it.
It will be appreciated that the various possible atrangements described
herein can be interchanged as appropriate both in embodiments described and
the
documents incorporated by reference. In addition either the simplified roller
system or the simplified twisting system of Figs. 3.to 8 can be used
independently
of the other as appropriate. As a result the arrangements shown in Fig. 3 and
discussed above in which each package is separated by twists above and below
it
is achieved.
In addition the embodiments shown in Figs. 8 to 11 can be driven in any
appropriate manner such as the batteries shown at 318 or mains power.
Alternative motor types can be used and indeed manual operation, for example
peddle operation as in Figs. 2 to 8 can be adopted. The rollers can carry any
desired number of paddles with any appropriate spacing and the various
materials
used will be entirely evident to the skilled person.
. . . . . . . Y ' - '= ' . , . ,
