Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Cassette for Dispensing Flexible Tubing Therefrom
Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to cassettes having plastic tubing
therein
used in the disposal of waste products such as soiled diapers and is more
particularly related
to said cassettes having registration features thereon for more efficient
stacking as well as to
aid in the prevention of improper installation of the cassettes into a
receptacle operable
therewith.
Background of the Invention
Historically, waste materials such as soiled diapers were disposed of by
simply
placing them in the trash, however, this presented sanitary and odor problems.
Moreover,
with regard to soiled diapers, these are typically disposed of, albeit
temporarily, in the area
where the child is changed. Usually this is the nursery where the child sleeps
and spends a
considerable amount of time. As such, maintaining a sanitary and relatively
odor free
environment is important.
A number of systems have been developed to address the above-described
disposal
and sanitary issues associated with soiled diapers. One such disposal system
is referred to as
the Diaper Genie manufactured by Playtex Products, Inc. of Westport, CT. This
system
employs a receptacle having an interior waste storage area and an interior
area for receiving
and retaining a cassette having a length of plastic tubing stored therein and
dispensable
therefrom. When a soiled diaper is inserted into the receptacle, it is pushed
through an
opening in the cassette where the soiled diaper is encased and substantially
sealed within the
plastic tubing. Once the quantity of plastic tubing in the cassette has been
exhausted, the
cassette is removed from the receptacle and replaced with a new cassette.
A problem that can sometimes occur when placing the cassette in the receptacle
is that
the cassette can inadvertently be installed upside down. When this occurs and
a soiled diaper
is inserted into the receptacle through the cassette, the diaper is exposed to
parts of the
cassette prior to encountering the plastic tubing. This creates potential
sanitary problems. In
addition, an overabundance of plastic tubing can be dispensed resulting in the
cassette having
to be prematurely replaced. Moreover, the amount of plastic tubing remaining
in the cassette
is not readily ascertainable.
Another difficulty associated with the above-described cassettes arises from
the fact
that they are sold in stores as replacements for exhausted cassettes and
therefore must be
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shipped in boxes to the various retail outlets. In order to be shipped and
sold, the cassettes
are generally stacked in the boxes and then stacked on top of one another on
store shelves.
The configuration of the cassettes has made them susceptible to toppling or
shifting relative
to one another when stacked on the store shelves. The cassette configuration
has also made
them difficult to stack so packing them into boxes for shipment is less than
optimal.
Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to
provide a
cassette and a cassette and receptacle system that improves upon or overcomes
the problems
and drawbacks associated with known cassettes and receptacles.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention resides in one aspect in a cassette for dispensing
flexible tubing.
The cassette includes a cassette body having a central tubular portion
defining an aperture
extending therethrough, through which, during use, waste materials such as
soiled diapers are
passed. The cassette includes an outer wall that surrounds the central tubular
portion with a
cassette bottom extending between and connecting the outer wall and the
central tubular
portion. The cooperation of the outer wall, the cassette bottom and the
central tubular portion
defines an interior area into which a length of flexible tubing is positioned
to be dispensed
from the cassette. A cover is coupled to the cassette body and at least
partially overlies the
interior area.
The cassette bottom includes first registration features located on an
outwardly facing
surface with the cover defining second registration features also located on
an outwardly
facing surface. The first registration features defined by the cassette bottom
and the second
registration features defined by the cover are matingly engageable with one
another so that
cassettes can be stacked one-on-top-of-the-other with the cooperation of the
first and second
registration features preventing successively stacked cassettes from shifting
relative to one
another.
In an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first and second
registration
features includes at least one and preferably a plurality of outwardly
projecting protuberances
with the other of the first and second registration features including at
least one and
preferably a plurality of recesses complementarily shaped to engage the
protuberances. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cassette bottom and the
cover are each
circular with the plurality of protuberances being defined by a plurality of
raised bumps
projecting outwardly from one of the cassette bottom and the cover, the raised
bumps being
radially and circumferentially spaced there around. Likewise, the recesses are
radially and
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circumferentially spaced around the other of the cassette bottom and the
cover. Each of the
recesses is complimentarily shaped to engage at least one of the protuberances
when cassettes
are successively stacked one-on-top-of-the-other.
In another embodiment of the present invention the first registration features
are
defined by one or more first steps, each having a first raised portion and a
corresponding first
recessed portion. The second registration features are defined by one or more
second steps
each having a second raised portion and a corresponding second recessed
portion. The first
raised portions are matingly engageable with the second recessed portions and
the first
recessed portions are matingly engageable with the second raised portions so
that when
cassettes are stacked one on top of the other, the first steps of one of the
cassettes engage the
second steps of another of the cassettes thereby minimizing relative movement
between
successively stacked cassettes.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the first registration
features
include a first undulating surface formed by the cassette bottom and the
second registration
features include a second undulating surface formed by the cover. The first
and second
undulating surfaces are matingly engageable with one another so that when
cassettes are
stacked one on top of the other, the first undulating surface of one of the
cassettes engages the
second undulating surface of another of the cassettes thereby minimizing
relative movement
between successively stacked cassettes. Preferably, in this embodiment of the
present
invention, a lip extends along a peripheral surface defined by the cover so
that an outer
periphery defined by the cassette bottom is slidably engageable with the lip
when one cassette
is positioned on top of another cassette.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cover and the cassette
bottom
are each substantially circular with one of the first and second registration
features including
a plurality of outwardly projecting ribs and the other of the first and second
registration
features including a plurality of recesses. When two or more cassettes are
stacked on top of
one another, the ribs defined by one cassette are matingly receivable in the
recesses defined
by another cassette. Preferably, and in addition to the ribs and recesses
described above, the
cassette bottom and the cover each define an outer peripheral edge with one of
the cassette
bottom and the cover defining an annular raised area positioned internally of
the peripheral
edge and the other of the cassette bottom and the cover defining an annular
recessed portion
positioned internally of the peripheral edge. The annular raised portion is
slidably
engageable with the annular recessed portion when cassettes are successively
stacked on top
of one another.
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The present invention resides in a second aspect in a cassette for dispensing
flexible
tubing and a receptacle for receiving the cassette. The cassette is configured
essentially as
described above with the exception that for this embodiment it is not
necessary for the cover
to include registration features. Accordingly, the cassette includes a
cassette body having a
central tubular portion defining an aperture extending therethrough. An outer
wall surrounds
the central tubular portion and a cassette bottom extends between and connects
the outer
wall and the central tubular portion. The outer wall, the cassette bottom and
the central
tubular portion cooperate to define an interior area that surrounds the
central tubular portion
and into which a length of flexible tubing is positioned. A cover is coupled
to the body and
at least partially overlies the interior area so that the flexible tubing can
be dispensed
through an opening defined by an inner peripheral edge of the cover and the
central tubular
portion. The cassette bottom includes first registration features. While the
cover has been
described as not necessarily including registration features, this embodiment
of the present
is not limited in this regard as the cover can include registration features
mating engageable
with the registration features defined by the cassette bottom so that the
registration features
of successively stacked cassettes engage one another.
The receptacle includes an opening sized at least to receive the cassette and
defines
alignment features matingly engageable with those defined by the cassette
bottom thereby
minimizing the likelihood of the cassette being improperly installed within
the receptacle.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a cassette for dispensing
flexible tubing,
said cassette comprising: a cassette body having a central tubular portion
defining an
aperture extending therethrough, an outer wall surrounding said central
tubular portion and
a cassette bottom extending between and connecting said outer wall and said
central tubular
portion; said outer wall, said cassette bottom and said central tubular
portion cooperating to
define an interior area that surrounds said central tubular portion; said
cassette bottom
including first registration features, said first registration features are
operable to establish
an upright position of said cassette; a cover coupled to said body and at
least partially
overlying said interior area, said cover defining an interior peripheral edge
which is spaced
away from said central tubular portion thereby defining a gap therebetween,
said cover
defining second registration features positioned radially outward from said
gap; said first
and second registration features having complementary shapes and being
operable to
provide one-on-top-of-the-other shift resistant stackability of at least two
of the cassettes.
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In yet another aspect, the present invention resides in a dispensing assembly
comprising: a cassette comprising a cassette body having a central tubular
portion defining
an aperture extending therethrough, an outer wall surrounding said central
tubular portion
and a cassette bottom extending between and connecting said outer wall and
said central
tubular portion; said outer wall, said cassette bottom and said central
tubular portion
cooperating to define an interior area that surrounds said central tubular
portion; said
cassette bottom including first registration features; a cover coupled to said
body and at
least partially overlying said interior area; a receptacle including an
opening sized at least to
receive said cassette; and said receptacle defining alignment features formed
on an interior
surface defined by said receptacle and generally facing said first
registration features; and
said first registration features and said alignment features matingly engage
one another such
that said cassette is positioned upright in said receptacle.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cassette of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cassette of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cassette of the present
invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cassette
of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cassette of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 7.
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FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cassette of the present
invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cassette of the present
5 invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cassette of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the cassette of FIG. 1
positioned
in a receptacle with the registration features defined by a bottom surface of
the cassette
matingly engaged with complimentarily-shaped alignment features defined by a
seating
surface of the receptacle.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cassette for dispensing plastic tubing is
generally
designated by the reference number 20. The cassette includes a cassette body
generally
designated by the reference number 22. The cassette body is defined by a
tubular central
portion 24 having an aperture 26 extending therethrough. An outer wall 28
surrounds the
tubular central portion 24 and is connected thereto by a cassette bottom 30.
The tubular
central portion 24, the outer wall 28 and the cassette bottom 30 cooperate
together to define
an interior area 32 into which a length of flexible tubing 34 is operably
positioned. A cover
generally designated by the reference number 36 is attached to the body 22.
The cover 36 has
an interior peripheral edge 37 that defines an opening 38 extending through
the cover. The
opening 38 is sized to form a gap 40 between the tubular central portion 24
and the interior
peripheral edge 37 of the cover 24. While the cassette 20 has been shown in
the illustrated
embodiment as being cylindrical, the present invention is not limited in this
regard as other
shapes such as squares, rectangles, ovals, and the like, or combinations of
these shapes, can
be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present
invention.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cassette bottom 30 defines first
registration
features, shown in the illustrated embodiment as a plurality of recesses 42
radially spaced
around an outer periphery of the cassette bottom. Similarly, the cover 36
defines second
registration features, shown in the illustrated embodiment as a plurality of
protuberances or
raised bumps 44. The recesses 42 and the raised bumps 44 are complimentarily
shaped
relative to one another so that when cassettes 20 are stacked one-on-top-of-
the-other, the
raised bumps 44 of one cassette matingly engage the recesses 42 of the next
successive
cassette, thereby minimizing the potential for relative movement between
successively
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stacked cassettes. While a plurality of recesses 42 and raised bumps 44 have
been shown and
described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as any number
of recesses and
raised bumps, even a single recess and raised bump can be employed. In
addition, while the
recesses and raised bumps, 42 and 44 respectively, have been shown as all
being the same
size and shape, the present invention is not limited in this regard as
different shapes, different
sizes, and combinations of different sizes and shapes can be employed without
departing
from the broader aspects of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an embodiment of the cassette 20 is shown therein
and
generally referred to by the reference number 120. The cassette 120 is similar
in many
respects to the cassette 20, accordingly like elements will be given similar
reference numbers
preceded by the numeral 1. The cassette 120 differs from the cassette 20 in
that instead of
recesses 42 and raised bumps 44, the first and second registration features
are in the form of
first and second steps, 142 and 144 respectively. Each of the first steps 142
is formed by a
raised portion 146 and an adjacent recessed portion 148. Likewise, each of the
second steps
144 is formed by a raised portion 150 and a corresponding recessed portion
152.
Accordingly, when two or more cassettes 120 are stacked one-on-top-of-the-
other, the first
and second steps, 142 and 144 respectively, matingly engage one another.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of the cassette 20 is shown therein
and
generally referred to by the reference number 220. The cassette 220 is similar
in many
respects to the cassette 20, accordingly like elements will be given similar
reference numbers
preceded by the numeral 2. The cassette 220 differs from the cassette 20 in
that instead of
recesses 42 and raised bumps 44, the first and second registration features
are in the form of
first and second undulating surfaces, 242 and 244 respectively. Each of the
first and second
undulating surfaces, 242 and 244 respectively, is formed by a by a series of
successive peaks
and valleys which in the illustrated embodiment vary in a sinusoidal pattern.
Accordingly,
when two or more cassettes 220 are stacked one-on-top-of-the-other, the peaks
of one of the
first and second undulating surfaces, 242 and 244 respectively, matingly
engage the valleys
of the other of the first and second undulating surfaces thereby causing
successively stacked
cassettes to nest into one another. The cover 236 of the cassette 220 includes
a lip 243
extending around an outer peripheral edge of the cover. When two or more
cassettes 220 are
stacked on top of one another, the lip 243 slidingly engages the outer wall
228 [not labeled on
Figure] of the next successively stacked cassette thereby minimizing or
preventing the
potential for relative movement between the cassettes.
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As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an embodiment of the cassette 20 is shown therein
and
generally referred to by the reference number 320. The cassette 320 is similar
in many
respects to the cassette 20, accordingly like elements will be given similar
reference numbers
preceded by the numeral 3. The cassette 320 differs from the cassette 20 in
that instead of
raised bumps 44, the second registration features defined by the cover 336 are
in the form of
outwardly projecting ribs 344 spaced radially around the cover. The second
registration
features defined by the cassette bottom 330 are in the form of recesses 342
sized and
positioned to matingly engage the ribs 344 when cassettes 320 are stacked one-
on-top-of-the-
other. In addition to the ribs 344 the cover 336 also defines an annular
raised portion 346
located internally of an outer peripheral edge 350 of the cover. In the
illustrated embodiment,
the annular raised portion 336 extends to the inner peripheral edge 337
defined by the cover.
The cassette bottom 330 includes an annular recessed portion 352, best seen in
FIG. 8, that is
complimentarily shaped to matingly engage the annular raised portion 346
defined by the
cover 336 when two cassettes 320 are successively stacked on top of one
another. While the
ribs 344 and the recesses 342 have been shown and described as being located
on the cover
336 and the cassette bottom 330 respectively, the present invention is not
limited in this
regard as the location of the ribs and recesses can be reversed. In such a
situation, the ribs
344 would be located on the cassette bottom 330 and the recesses 342 would be
located on
the cover. Likewise, the locations of the annular raised portion 346 and the
annular recessed
portion 352 can be switched so that the annular raised portion is located on
the cassette
bottom 330 and the annular recessed portion is located on the cover 336,
without departing
from the broader aspects of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an embodiment of the cassette 20 is shown therein
and
generally referred to by the reference number 420. The cassette 420 is similar
in many
respects to the cassette 20, accordingly like elements will be given similar
reference numbers
preceded by the numeral 4. The cassette 420 differs from the cassette 20 in
that instead of
raised bumps 44, the second registration features are in the form of semi-
circular raised
portions 444. The cassette bottom 430 includes semi-circular recesses 442,
best seen in FIG.
10, that are complimentarily shaped relative to the semi-circular raised
portions 444 so that
when cassettes 420 are stacked on top of one another, the semi-circular raised
portions 444
matingly engage the semi-circular recessed portions 442. While the semi-
circular raised
portions 444 and the semi-circular recesses 442 have been shown and described
as being
located on the cover 436 and the cassette bottom 430 respectively, the present
invention is not
limited in this regard as the location of the raised portions and recesses can
be reversed. In
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such a situation, the semi-circular raised portions 444 would be located on
the cassette
bottom 430 and the semi-circular recesses 442 would be located on the cover
436.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an embodiment of the cassette 20 is shown therein
and
generally referred to by the reference number 520. The cassette 520 is similar
in many
respects to the cassette 20, accordingly like elements will be given similar
reference numbers
preceded by the numeral 5. The cassette 520 differs from the cassette 20 in
that instead of
recesses 42 and raised bumps 44, the first and second registration features
are in the form of
slots 542 and key portions 544, located on the cover 536 and the cassette
bottom 530
respectively. In addition the cover 536 defines an outwardly extending arcuate
upper surface
550 and the cassette bottom 530 defines an inwardly extending arcuate recess
552
complimentarily shaped to matingly engage the arcuate upper surface 550 when
cassettes 520
are stacked on top of one another. Accordingly, when two or more cassettes 520
are stacked
on top of one another, the key portions 544 engage the slots 542 and the
arcuate raised
portion 550 engages the arcuate recessed portion 552. While the slots 542 have
been shown
and described as being positioned on the cover 536 and the key portions 544
have been
shown and described as being located on the cassette bottom 530, the present
invention is not
limited in this regard as the positions of the slots and key portions can be
reversed. Likewise,
the locations of the arcuate raised portion 550 and the arcuate recessed
portion 552 can also
be reversed without departing from the broader aspects of the present
invention.
Referring to FIG. 13, the above-described cassette 20 is shown positioned in a
receptacle 600. The receptacle is only partially illustrated as it can take
any number of forms.
However, each receptacle 600 of the present invention will include a seat
portion 602
defining alignment features 604 that are matingly engageable with the first
registration
features 42, 142, 242, 342, 442, and 542 defined by the cassette bottom 30,
130, 230, 330,
430, and 530. In this manner the cassette 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 and 520 can
be passed
through an opening 606 defined by the receptacle and positioned on the seat
portion 602 so
that the first engagement features mate with the alignment features thereby
minimizing the
potential for the cassette to be installed upside down.
Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the
detailed
embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that
various changes
may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements and steps thereof
without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be
made to adapt a
particular situation to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential
scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to
the particular
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embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the
invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the above description.
