Abstract:
A rotating cartridge capable of dispensing flexible tubing coupled to a hinged lid of a container housing the cartridge. A rotation mechanism communicating with the lid rotates the cartridge automatically as the hinged lid is closed, thus twisting and sealably encapsulating a waste package inserted into the flexible tubing that is dispensed by the cartridge.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of application Ser. No. 10/693,087, filed on Oct. 23, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/456,428, filed on Jun. 6, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/138,058, filed on May 2, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,099, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/288,186 filed on May 2, 2001; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/337,355, filed on Nov. 8, 2001, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/359,148, filed on Feb. 20, 2002. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to waste disposal devices using packs of flexible tubing, and more particularly, to improved health care apparatus for the sanitary and odorless packaging and disposal of diapers and similar or related waste, medical waste, industrial waste and any other waste wherein sanitary and substantially odorless disposal is desired.  
         [0003]     The present invention also relates to replaceable cartridges of tubing for a waste disposal device and rotation mechanisms for rotating such a tubing cartridge, some of which provide for automatic rotation of the tubing cartridge.  
         [0004]     The present invention also relates to waste disposal devices using packs of flexible tubing and including a compacting mechanism which compacts the waste.  
         [0005]     More specifically, the present invention is related to a waste disposal device including rotating cartridge coupled to hinged lid.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0006]     In households having an infant or very young child wearing disposable diapers, a diaper pail is usually placed in the bathroom or nursery for the receipt and disposal of soiled diapers.  
         [0007]     One prior art construction of a diaper pail comprises a large garbage can-like container which receives a plastic bag. The bag is inserted into the interior of the container, with the upper portion thereof being folded over a top rim of the container to maintain the bag in engagement therewith. A cover member is attached to the container and is movable between a closed position in which the cover member is situated over the top rim of the container to cover the open end of the bag, and an open position in which the open end of the bag is uncovered and thereby enables the placement of a soiled diaper into the bag. A foot pedal is provided and coupled to the cover member to enable the cover member to be moved from the closed position to the open position by depressing the foot pedal.  
         [0008]     Another prior art diaper pail is sold under the trademark “Diaper Genie”. Diaper pails of the Diaper Genie™ type are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,049 (Richards et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,512 (Richards et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,200 (Jacoby et al.), U.S. Pat. No 6,128,890 (Firth) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,240 (Jacoby et al.).  
         [0009]     The diaper pails shown in these patents generally comprise a container formed with an internal ring-shaped flange. A tubular core or cartridge rests on the flange and houses a continuous length of flexible, substantially non-resilient plastic tubing. A twist rim is rotatably coupled to the cartridge such that rotation of the twist rim causes twisting of the tubing. Means are provided to hold a diaper stationary when the twist rim rotates to twist the tubing and seal an end of the diaper to form a twisted closure. A cover is removably attached to the container and includes a lid. To prepare the diaper pail for use, the cover is removed, an end of the tubing is removed from the cartridge and pulled upward and tied into a knot. The knotted end is then placed into the container over an annular flange to form a waste insertion reservoir or chamber bounded by the tubing. The cover is re-attached to the container and the diaper pail is ready for use. In use, a soiled diaper is inserted into the waste insertion reservoir bounded by the tubing and the twist rim is then manually rotated as the diaper is held stationary to cause the diaper to be encapsulated in the tubing by the formation of a twist in the tubing above the diaper. Rotation of the twist rim also causes an additional amount of tubing to be removed from the cartridge and be pushed into the waste insertion reservoir to prepare it for a subsequent insertion of a diaper. The subsequent insertion of another diaper into the waste insertion reservoir causes the previously encapsulated diaper to pass into the hollow interior of the container. A series of connected, closed and encapsulated waste packages is created and the encapsulation process can be continued until the tubing is exhausted or the container is full. When the container is full but tubing remains, the uppermost package is severed above its upper twisted closure, the severed end of the tubing is tied into a knot and an access door pivotally connected to the bottom end of the container is opened for the removal of the packages.  
         [0010]     A major inconvenience of diaper pails of the “Diaper Genie”.™ type is that it is necessary to manually tie both ends of the tubing to use the diaper pail. That is, initially, upon insertion of a new cartridge, an end of the tubing is removed from the cartridge and must be tied into a knot, the knotted end then being pushed into the container to form the waste insertion chamber. Thereafter, when the container is fall but tubing remains in the cartridge, the tubing is severed at a location above the upper twisted closure of the uppermost encapsulated waste package and the severed end of the tubing must be tied into a knot to prevent the series of waste packages from unwinding. The free end of the tubing remaining in the cartridge is again tied into a knot and pushed into the container to enable another series of encapsulated waste packages to be formed.  
         [0011]     The necessary, multiple tyings of the tubing is bothersome and moreover, when the knots are not made sufficiently strong, unpleasant odors emanating from the waste packages can escape through the knots.  
         [0012]     Another problem with diaper pails of the “Diaper Genie”.™ type is that cutting the tubing is difficult and requires the use of a manually operable cutting instrument. This cutting instrument does not enable easy cutting of the tubing.  
         [0013]     Yet another problem with diaper pails of the “Diaper Genie”.™ type is that the series of waste packages are removed from the diaper pail through an access door pivotally connected to the bottom end of the container. The series of waste packages has been found to be difficult to handle during transfer to a waste receptacle such as a trash bag. Cleaning of the device is also difficult.  
         [0014]     Still another problem with known diaper pails and other waste pails is that the person inserting a diaper or other waste material (such as medical waste) into the pail may not remember to rotate the twist rim after insertion of a soiled diaper or other waste. In this case, the waste is not encapsulated by the tubing and malodorous vapors or other potentially hazardous contaminants can escape from the pail. Although this would not prevent future use of the pail as the twist rim could be rotated before the next insertion of waste, it would likely result in the release of odors or other potentially hazardous contaminants. A waste pail which provides for automatic formation of a twist above a waste item after insertion of the waste into the pail is therefore desirable.  
         [0015]     Another problem with known diaper and waste pails is that because the diaper or waste pail comes into contact with the series of waste packages, it is liable to become dirty and cleaning of the pail is cumbersome as the access door must be opened, the pail turned over and then the inside surfaces cleaned. A diaper or waste pail which affords easier cleaning for the surfaces which come into contact with the series of waste packages is therefore desirable.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present invention embodies a rotating cartridge coupled to a hinged lid of a container housing the cartridge, wherein a rotation mechanism communicating with the lid rotates the cartridge automatically as the hinged lid is closed, thus twisting and sealably encapsulating a waste package inserted into a flexible tubing that is dispensed by the cartridge.  
         [0017]     One embodiment of the present invention provides a waste disposal device. The waste disposal device involves a container defining a waste chamber for receiving encapsulated waste. A lid coupled hingedly to the container is capable of moving between an open and closed position. A rotatable cartridge containing a length of flexible tubing is located in the container. A rotation mechanism is operatively configured to controllably rotate the cartridge. An actuation device is configured to actuate the rotation mechanism, whereupon closing the hinged lid of the device; the lid contacts the actuation device and actuates the rotating mechanism to rotate the cartridge.  
         [0018]     An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved waste disposal devices, in particular for use in the disposal of disposable diapers, medical wastes and industrial waste.  
         [0019]     Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides improved waste disposal devices for the medical and health case industries for use in, for example, hospitals, doctors&#39; offices, operating rooms, nursing homes, out-patient care and the home health care industry for disposal of non “sharps” including adult diapers, bloody/soiled bandages, dressings, disposable bibs, “chucks” and clothing, medical gloves and dialysis machine filters and other disposal medical waste.  
         [0020]     Yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved waste disposal devices which use flexible tubing to dispose of waste packages.  
         [0021]     Still another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved waste disposal devices in which encapsulation of waste packages occurs automatically upon closing a cover of the device or depressing a foot pedal.  
         [0022]     Yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved waste disposal devices in which waste products are encapsulated and compacted.  
         [0023]     Yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved waste disposal devices in which tying of flexible tubing used to dispose of waste packages is unnecessary.  
         [0024]     Still another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a new and improved waste disposal device which effectively contains and prevents the release of odors from waste packages.  
         [0025]     Still another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved cartridges for waste disposal devices which retain flexible tubing.  
         [0026]     Yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved waste disposal devices in which a series of encapsulated waste packages are formed and can be removed from the device in an easy and expeditious manner.  
         [0027]     Another embodiment of the present invention provides new and improved diaper pails which alleviate a problem in known diaper pails, namely the need to remember to rotate a twist rim on a diaper pail after insertion of a soiled diaper in order to encapsulate the diaper.  
         [0028]     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic twist mechanism for a diaper (or other waste) pail which eliminates problems associated with the required manual twisting of a twist rim in order to encapsulate a soiled diaper or other waste product.  
         [0029]     In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a waste disposal device in accordance with the invention generally includes a container defining a waste receiving chamber and a cartridge arranged in the container and containing a length of flexible tubing for encapsulating waste packages after placement of a waste package in the container, with the encapsulated waste packages being retained in the waste receiving chamber. A lid is coupled to the container and is movable between an open position in which the waste receiving chamber is accessible and a closed position in which the waste receiving chamber is covered. A retention mechanism is arranged in the container to hold the waste package.  
         [0030]     In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a rotation mechanism is provided to cause relative rotation between the cartridge and the retention mechanism in order to cause a twist to be formed above a waste package when the waste package is being held by the retention mechanism and thereby encapsulate the waste package in the tubing. That is, either the cartridge is rotated while the retention mechanism is stationary or the retention mechanism is rotated while the cartridge is stationary.  
         [0031]     In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, encapsulation of the waste package prevents the release of odors from the waste package and thus, the invention provides a convenient and sanitary disposal of the waste packages. Once encapsulated, the waste package is urged further into the container upon a subsequent insertion of another waste package. A series of encapsulated waste packages is thus created in the waste receiving chamber of the container, each package contained within a portion of the tubing and sealed at each end by the twisting process. However, the front end of the tubing is not sealed by the twisting process and must be closed by another method, possibly as disclosed below.  
         [0032]     In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge can also be rotated upon rotation of the retention mechanism, although this would require some additional operation in order to form a twist in the tubing and encapsulation of the waste packages.  
         [0033]     The rotation mechanism may take many forms. In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism is actuated automatically by pressing or depressing a foot pedal, pushbutton or the like. In the alternative, the rotation mechanism may be actuated automatically based on closing and/or opening of the lid. In this manner, one does not need to remember to turn a twist rim, as in conventional waste disposal devices of a similar type, in order to cause a waste package to be encapsulated.  
         [0034]     An exemplifying embodiment of a retention mechanism includes a frame defining a waste passage through which the waste package passes and resilient springs connected to the frame and extending inward into the waste passage to engage with and hold the waste package. The frame may be fixed to the container in embodiments wherein the cartridge is being rotated and the retention mechanism is stationary. In embodiments wherein the retention mechanism is rotated and the cartridge stationary, the retention mechanism can additionally include a support flange connected to the frame for supporting the cartridge and an annular ring connected to the support flange and including a gear rim or other toothed structure. The retention mechanism is rotatably supported on the container by, for example, a flange on which the annular ring rests. The gear rim is designed to be rotated by the rotation mechanism to thereby cause rotation of the frame and any waste package held by the resilient springs. An appropriate mechanism is provided to prevent rotation of the cartridge supporting on the support flange of the retention mechanism. Instead of supporting the cartridge directly on the support flange or the retention mechanism in general, it can be removably secured to the container apart from the retention mechanism.  
         [0035]     One embodiment of a rotation mechanism for rotating the retention mechanism including the gear rim described above, as well as others disclosed herein having a gear rim, includes a motor having a shaft and providing rotational movement to the shaft and a gear arranged on the shaft and in engagement with the gear rim. As such, rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the gear and gear rim which in turn causes rotation of the frame and any waste package held by the resilient springs connected to the frame. The rotation mechanism may be housed in a compartment defined by a wall inside the container, to prevent the waste packages from damaging the rotation mechanism. The wall includes a slot through which the gear rim extends into engagement with the gear mounted on the shaft. In the alternative, the gear may extend through the slot into engagement with the gear rim.  
         [0036]     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a compacting mechanism to compact the waste packages. This is particularly advantageous for medical waste such as is generated by doctors in doctor&#39;s offices. The compacting mechanism can be actuated by the same motor which causes rotation of the retention mechanism. In an exemplifying embodiment, the compacting mechanism includes a rotatable shaft extending between opposite sides of the waste chamber, preferably supported on both sides, with a front end of the tubing from the cartridge being connected to the shaft prior to use of the waste disposal device. When the motor is actuated, the shaft is rotated and the tubing having waste packages encapsulated therein is rolled around the shaft thereby compacting any waste package encapsulated by the tubing. The waste packages are encapsulated by the formation of twists above the waste packages in the manner described above.  
         [0037]     In another aspect of the present invention, another rotation mechanism for rotating a retention mechanism having a gear rim as described above comprises a series of gears mounted on a flange in the container and a pedal mounted exterior of the container and connected to a pulley. A cable passes over this pulley and is fixed at one end to the container and windable about a shaft at its other end so that movement of the pedal in a slot causes the shaft to rotate. A gear is mounted on the shaft and a clutch assembly is interposed between the gear and the gear rim in order to transfer the rotational force of the gear to the gear rim. The clutch assembly is constructed to provide for a unidirectional transmission of rotational force from the gear to the gear rim. To this end, the clutch assembly may comprise a clutch member having a gear portion in meshing engagement with the gear mounted on the shaft. The clutch member is mounted about a drive spindle connected to a drive gear which in turn is in meshing engagement with an idler gear. The idler gear is in meshing engagement with a gear rim formed on the retention mechanism. The clutch member is constructed to engage or disengage from the drive spindle so that the rotational force is transferred to the drive only upon movement of the pedal in one direction and not the opposite direction.  
         [0038]     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, an alternative rotation mechanism for rotating a retention mechanism without a gear rim includes a pulley attached to the retention mechanism and a pulley attached to the shaft of the motor or to the shaft of the compacting mechanism, if present. A cable is threaded through the pulleys and guided by guide pulleys if necessary so that the rotation of the shaft of the motor or the shaft of the compacting mechanism is converted into rotational movement of the retention mechanism via the cable. The retention mechanism in this case includes a frame, resilient springs connected to the frame, the pulley and an annular ring around the frame with the retention mechanism being rotatably supported on the container by, for example, the annular ring resting on a flange of the container.  
         [0039]     In an embodiment wherein the rotation mechanism is manually actuated, the rotation mechanism comprises a handle situated at least partially outside of the container and movable in a slot in an outer wall of the container and a mechanism for converting movement of the handle into unidirectional rotational movement of the frame of the retention mechanism to thereby rotate the frame, the resilient springs and a waste package engaged by the resilient springs relative to the tubing in the cartridge. Uni-directional rotational movement of the frame is necessary to prevent unwinding of the twists in the tubing. One manner to accomplish this is to provide an inner ring connected to the frame and having grooves on an inner face and a first, movable outer ring surrounding the inner ring and connected to the handle. The first outer ring includes a pin engaging with the grooves on the inner ring so that upon sliding movement of the handle, the first outer ring rotates, and via the engagement of the pin with the grooves in the inner ring, the inner ring and frame rotate. Also, a second, stationary outer ring is connected to the container and has grooves on an inner face. A pin connected to the inner ring engages with the grooves on the second outer ring to prevent return movement of the frame. As such, the frame rotates only when the handle is moved in a “forward” direction and not when the handle is moved in a “reverse” direction. Repeated forward and reverse movement of the handles will thus result in multiple twists in the tubing.  
         [0040]     To allow for easy removal of the series of encapsulated waste packages from the container, a pail, or another comparable removable waste receptacle, may be placed in the container on a base for receiving the encapsulated waste packages and an access door is formed in an outer wall of the container to enable removal and emptying of the pail. The pail may be lined with a trash bag so that when the pail is removed, the trash bag is closed and sealed with the series of encapsulated waste packages therein.  
         [0041]     In the alternative, a hamper can be provided having an outer wall constituting a portion of the outer wall of the container and defining the waste receiving chamber. The hamper may be pivotally attached to the container so that by pivoting the hamper outward, the series of encapsulated waste packages is exposed and thus easily removable from the hamper.  
         [0042]     In the embodiments described above, the retention mechanism includes resilient springs which engage the waste package and prevent its rotation relative to the retention mechanism. Other mechanisms for preventing rotation of waste packages relative to a retaining structure are also contemplated within the scope of the invention.  
         [0043]     For example, in another embodiment of a waste disposal device, the retention mechanism is constructed in connection with a rotatable pail situated in the container so that the first waste package is held stationary by the pail itself. The rotation mechanism in this embodiment is designed to rotate the pail while the cartridge is stationary. To this end, the rotation mechanism may comprise a turntable arranged below the pail, a string for manually causing rotation of the turntable (by pulling the string), with the turntable being in engagement with the pail via cooperating formations on the turntable and pail, and a mechanism for returning the turntable to is original position to be ready for a subsequent rotation via pulling of the string. The mechanism by which the turntable returns to its original position may be a torsion spring or the like.  
         [0044]     The cartridge used in the waste disposal devices in accordance with the invention can be any conventional cartridge containing flexible tubing and defining a waste insertion chamber. However, a drawback of known cartridges is that the tubing generally must be tied or knotted both at the beginning and end of use. Therefore, in order to achieve additional objects of the invention, the waste disposal devices in accordance with the invention are designed to use a cartridge having tubing which can be closed and sealed at both ends without requiring tying of knots. One construction of such a cartridge includes a casing defining a cavity containing tubing and including opposed substantially cylindrical inner and outer walls and an annular lower wall extending between the inner and outer walls and an annular cover connected to the casing and enclosing the tubing in the cavity such that a ring-shaped opening is defined between an inner edge of the cover and the inner wall for passage of the tubing therethrough.  
         [0045]     The closing and sealing of the front end of the tubing outside of the cavity is obtained by, for example, a metal clip or clasp attached to the front end of the tubing.  
         [0046]     The closing and sealing of the rear end of the tubing, i.e., that end connected to the cartridge, is obtained by constructing the cartridge to fold about itself. For example, score lines can be arranged on the cover to enable the cover to be folded about the score lines and score lines or slits arranged in the casing in alignment with the score lines of the cover to enable the casing to bend or break in conjunction with the folding of the cover about the score lines. If the casing is made of cardboard, then only score lines are required, not slits.  
         [0047]     One or both of the folded parts of the cover may be provided with a connection mechanism to enable the folded parts of the cover to stay together. The connection mechanism may be adhesive, hook and loop fasteners or ties and clasps formed or stamped in the cover.  
         [0048]     The above-described embodiments involve rotation of the retention mechanism relative to the stationary cartridge. In an embodiment wherein the cartridge is rotated relative to the retention mechanism, a rotation mechanism is provided which automatically rotates the cartridge upon movement of the lid. The automatic rotation of the cartridge could also be performed automatically in conjunction with the movement of the lid or as a consequence of the movement of the lid. Rotation of the cartridge after insertion of a waste package into the waste insertion chamber causes the tubing to twist and encapsulate the waste package. The automatic rotation of the cartridge is achieved preferably only upon closing of the lid so that when the lid is closed, the cartridge is rotated and the tubing is twisted. In this manner, one does not need to remember to turn a twist rim, as in conventional waste disposal devices of a similar type, in order to cause a waste package to be encapsulated. Opening of the lid will not cause rotation of the cartridge and thus the encapsulated waste package will not be opened.  
         [0049]     This type of rotation mechanism can take many forms with the objective being to convert the movement of the lid, which is invariably performed after insertion of a soiled waste package, into a rotation of the cartridge to thereby cause twisting of the tubing. In one embodiment, a rack gear is attached to the lid and a gear assembly is arranged in the container with one gear adapted to frictionally engage the teeth of the rack gear upon downward movement of the lid. The gear assembly includes a circular plate with projections or a drive gear with teeth which mesh with a series of projections formed on the periphery of the cartridge. This drive gear is coupled through a gear assembly to the gear in engagement with the rack gear so that the movement of the rack gear causes rotation of all of the gears in the gear assembly and the drive gear and thus rotation of the cartridge. Instead of a rack gear, a toothed plate can be used.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0050]     The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein;  
         [0051]      FIG. 1  is a partially cut-away side view of a first embodiment of a waste disposal device in accordance with the invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 2  is a partially cut-away view of the upper region of the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 1  with the lid in an open position;  
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is a view of the gear assembly interacting with a rack gear in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in a position in which movement of the rack gear is transmitted by the gear assembly to the cartridge;  
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a view of the gear assembly shown in  FIG. 3  in a position in which movement of the rack gear is not transmitted by the gear assembly to the cartridge;  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a view of another gear assembly interacting with a rack gear for use in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in a position in which movement of the rack gear is transmitted by the gear assembly to the cartridge;  
         [0056]      FIG. 6  is a view of the gear assembly shown in FIG. Sin a position in which movement of the rack gear is not transmitted by the gear assembly to the cartridge;  
         [0057]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention wherein waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge;  
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7  with the lid in a closed position;  
         [0059]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view partially cut-away showing the manner in which the retention member is rotated;  
         [0060]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation, partly in section, of a cartridge of flexible tubing for use in the invention;  
         [0061]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0062]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0063]      FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cartridge of flexible tubing for use in the invention  
         [0064]      FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of a tie upon removal from the cover of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 13A ;  
         [0065]      FIG. 13C  is a perspective view of a clasp upon removal from the cover of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 13A ;  
         [0066]      FIG. 13D  is a perspective, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cartridge of flexible tubing for use in the invention;  
         [0067]      FIG. 13E  is a perspective view of the end of the tubing of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 13D  after removal from the cartridge;  
         [0068]      FIG. 14  is an exploded, partial view of another embodiment of a waste disposal device in accordance with the invention wherein waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge;  
         [0069]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along the line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0070]      FIG. 16  is a side elevation, partly in section, of another embodiment of the invention wherein waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge;  
         [0071]      FIG. 17  is a side elevation, party in section, of the embodiment of  FIG. 16  shown during use;  
         [0072]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the rotation mechanism in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0073]      FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the rotation mechanism in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0074]      FIG. 20  is a side view of another embodiment of a waste disposal device in accordance with the invention wherein waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge;  
         [0075]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0076]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 23A  is a perspective view of the encapsulation device and compacting mechanism of the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0078]      FIG. 23B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an encapsulation device for use in the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0079]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 20  showing waste packages encapsulated and compacted;  
         [0080]      FIG. 25  is an exploded view of the retention mechanism and a cartridge of the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0081]      FIG. 26  is an exploded view of another retention mechanism cartridge of the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0082]      FIG. 27  shows a section of flexible tubing with perforations to facilitate tearing off;  
         [0083]      FIG. 28  is a schematic view of another encapsulation device for the waste disposal device shown in  FIGS. 20-22 ;  
         [0084]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the waste package is rotated while the cartridge is stationary;  
         [0085]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional, partial view taken along the line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 ;  
         [0086]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0087]      FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 31 ;  
         [0088]      FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 31 ;  
         [0089]      FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0090]      FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  35 - 35  of  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0091]      FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the waste package is rotated while the cartridge is stationary;  
         [0092]      FIG. 37  is a view of the bottom of the pail in the embodiment of  FIG. 36 ;  
         [0093]      FIG. 38  is a sectional view taken along the line  38 - 38  of  FIG. 36 ;  
         [0094]      FIG. 39  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the turntable and bottom of the pail showing a position in which the ribs on the turntable engage with depressions on the pail;  
         [0095]      FIG. 40  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the turntable and bottom of the pail showing a position in which the ribs on the turntable are separated from the depressions on the pail;  
         [0096]      FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  41 - 41  of  FIG. 39 ; and  
         [0097]      FIG. 42  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 40 .  
         [0098]      FIG. 43  is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a waste disposal device showing a rotating cartridge hingedly coupled to a lid of the device, and an anti-twisting bar in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0099]     Several embodiments of waste disposal devices in accordance with the invention are described below. Generally, the waste disposal devices provide for relative rotation between a cartridge of flexible tubing and a retention unit, mechanism or member which holds a waste package stationary, i.e., either the cartridge is rotated relative to the retention unit or the retention unit is rotated while the cartridge is stationary. In this manner, the flexible tubing is caused to twist above the waste package thereby encapsulating the waste package in the tubing. The encapsulated waste package is then urged into a waste receiving chamber of the waste disposal device upon the insertion of another waste package into the device to be encapsulated or in some embodiments, provisions are made to enable the encapsulated waste package to be drawn into the waste receiving chamber without dependency on the subsequent insertion of another waste package. Repeated insertions of waste packages causes the formation of a series of encapsulated waste packages which can be removed from the container when the container is full or the tubing is exhausted.  
         [0100]     It is contemplated that the features of different embodiments described herein can be used together with one another in the same waste disposal device to the extent possible. For example, new and unique cartridges of flexible tubing are disclosed below and it is envisioned that these cartridges can be used in all of disclosed waste disposal devices. On the other hand, some of the waste disposal devices described below are shown for use with this new cartridge. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that these waste disposal devices can be used with other cartridges including conventional cartridges, which might entail use of an appropriate adapter, one of which is described below.  
         [0101]     Throughout the several views, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same or similar elements. Variations in the elements may be present in the drawings and if so, it is to demonstrate that the elements can have different forms.  
         [0102]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , a waste disposal device in accordance with one form of the present invention is shown. The waste disposal device  10  comprises a generally cylindrical container  12  defining a waste receiving compartment  12   a,  a removable cover  14  arranged on the top of the container  12  and an access door  16  pivotally connected to the bottom of the container  12 . Cover  14  fits snugly to the upper rim of the container  12  and defines a waste insertion opening  20 . A lid  22  is pivotally connected to the cover  14  so as to be movable between an open position in which the waste insertion opening  20  is exposed to enable insertion of a waste package such as soiled diaper into the container  12  and a closed position in which the lid  22  overlies and closes the waste insertion opening  20 . A flange  18  is located inside the container  12  along the inner surface of the container  12 , and may be integrally formed with the container  12 . Flange  18  can conform to the cross-sectional shape of the container  12 , which may be cylindrical or otherwise.  
         [0103]     A removable cartridge  24  rests on the flange  18  and contains a circumferentially pleated length of flexible tubing  34 . Tubing  34  may constitute a polybag. Cartridge  24  includes a cylindrical outer wall  26 , a lower wall  28 , an inner wall  30  and an upper wall  32  which together define a cavity for receiving the circumferentially pleated length of flexible tubing  34 . A ring-shaped opening  36  is defined between the inner wall  30  and the upper wall  32  for passage of the tubing  34 . Inner wall  30  is provided with an annular flange or lip  38  over which the tubing  34  passes into a waste insertion chamber  40  defined by the inner wall  28 . Waste insertion chamber  40  aligns with the waste insertion opening  20  defined in the cover  14 . The cartridge  24  is removed when the tubing  34  is used up by separating the cover  14  from the container  12 , and a full cartridge is then placed onto the flange  18  and the cover  14  fit onto the container  12 .  
         [0104]     A rotation mechanism is provided to enable movement of the lid  22  to be converted into rotation of the cartridge  24 . More particularly, the downward movement of the lid  22  causes automatic rotation of the cartridge  24 , with the rotation of the cartridge  24  causing twisting of the tubing  34  above the waste package in the waste insertion chamber  40 . In this manner, the twist rim present in conventional waste disposal devices of a similar type is not required.  
         [0105]     Specifically, the mechanical rotation mechanism, which causes rotation of the cartridge  24  upon the downward movement of the lid  22  to its closed position, includes a toothed member such as a rack gear  42  fixed to the lid  22  and a cooperating gear assembly  44  arranged in connection with the container  12 .  
         [0106]     Rack gear  42  has an arcuate shape and includes a series of teeth formed on at least a portion of the outer arcuate surface with spaces being present between the teeth. An elongate slot  68  is provided in the cover  14  through which the rack gear  42  passes for engagement with the gear assembly  44  (see  FIG. 2 ). Instead of a rack gear  42 , a toothed plate or any other member having teeth on an edge could be used. The rack gear  42  could also be provided with teeth on the inner arcuate surface in which case, the gear assembly  44  would be positioned inward of the rack gear  42  between the rack gear  42  and the rear of the container  12 . Other cooperating, force-transmitting constructions could be used to enable the movement of the lid  22  to be transferred to an element of the gear assembly.  
         [0107]     Gear assembly  44  is mounted on a plate  46  so that the gear assembly  44  and plate  46  can be formed as a discrete component insertable into a pre-formed site in the container  12 . As shown, plate  46  is mounted on an inner wall of the container  12  between mounting brackets  70  which define elongate slots for receiving opposed edges of the plate  46 . In this manner, the plate  46  containing the gear assembly  44  thereon is easily and removably mounted to the container  12 . The plate  46  can also be formed integral with the container.  
         [0108]     A non-limiting embodiment of gear assembly  44  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Gear assembly  44  includes a first gear  48  adapted to engage the rack gear  42 . Gear  48  is mounted between the plate  46  and a mounting bracket  50  attached to or formed in conjunction with the plate  46 . An elongate aperture  52  is arranged in the mounting bracket  50  for retaining an end of a shaft of the gear  48  in such a manner that the gear  48  is slightly movable. The purpose of the movement of the gear  48  is explained below.  
         [0109]     Gear assembly  44  further includes a coupled set of two gears  54 , 56  mounted on the plate  46  with gear  54  being in meshed engagement with gear  48 . Gear  56  is spaced from the plate  46  and is positioned at the same level as the mounting bracket  50  which is thus shaped with an arcuate form to accommodate gear  56 . Gear assembly  44  further includes another gear  58  also mounted on plate  46  in meshed engagement with gear  56 . A gear  60  is attached to gear  58  and includes a series of projections  64  extending outward from a peripheral edge. Instead of gears, any type of toothed member can be used.  
         [0110]     The engaged pairs of gears  48 , 54  and  56 , 58  are constructed in a conventional manner so that rotation of one gear of each pair causes rotation of the other gear in that pair. Specifically, with reference to  FIG. 3 , when the rack gear  42  is moved in the direction of arrow A, which occurs when the lid  22  is being closed, gear  48  is moved downward until its shaft  48 A is against the lower edge of the aperture  52  at which time, the continued movement of the rack gear  42  causes the gear  48  to rotate in the direction of arrow B causing gears  54 , 56  to rotate in the direction of arrow C, which is opposite to the direction of rotation of gear  48 . Rotation of gear  56  in the direction of arrow C causes gears  58 ,  60  to rotate in the direction of arrow D, which is opposite to the direction of rotation of gears  54 , 56 .  
         [0111]     Further, gears  54 ,  56  and  58  are constructed to increase rotation of gear  60  in relation to the rotation of gear  48 . That is, gear  54  has a smaller diameter than gear  48  and gear  56  so that gear  56  rotates faster than gear  48  while gear  58  has a smaller diameter than gear  56  and gear  60  so that gear  60  rotates faster than gear  56 . One rotation of gear  46  will thus translate into multiple rotations of gear  60 . The ratio of the diameters of the gears  46 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 , i.e., the gear ratio, can be designed to provide whatever appropriate rotation of gear  60  is needed to facilitate operation of the waste disposal device in the manner described below.  
         [0112]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , cartridge  24  has a series of projections  66  extending outward from a rim  26   a  of outer wall  26 . Although not shown, projections  66  are uniformly spaced around the entire circumference of the outer wall  26 . Projections  64  on the gear  60  are designed to mesh with the projections  66  on the cartridge  24  to enable rotation force to be transferred from the gear assembly  44  to the cartridge  24 . As such, rotation of the gear  60  in the direction of arrow D in  FIG. 3  will result in rotation of the cartridge  24  in the direction of arrow E in  FIG. 2 . Rotation of the cartridge  24  causes twisting of the tubing  34  above a waste package when the waste package is held stationary.  
         [0113]     The projections  66  can be formed integral with the outer wall  26  in which case, the cartridge  34  would be different than conventional cartridges which do not have any such projections. In the alternative, since it is desirable to be able to use conventional cartridges, an annular attachment rim could be provided. The conventional cartridge would be placed in the annular attachment rim, which would be sized to provide a snug fit and/or include a cooperating attachment mechanism in order to fix the cartridge to the attachment rim so that rotation of the attachment rim causes rotation of the cartridge. The attachment rim would include a series of projections adapted to mesh with the gear  60 . In this manner, either the special cartridge including the integral projections  66  or a cartridge designed for use in conventional waste disposal devices of the same or a similar type could be used in this embodiment of the invention.  
         [0114]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , gear  60  is positioned below the rim  26   a  of the outer wall  26  so that the projections  64  on the gear  60  engage the projections  66  on the cartridge  24  from below. However, it is also contemplated that the projections  64  can engage the projections  66  from above, either by forming the projections  66  on a rim about a lower portion of the cartridge  24 , reducing the height of the cartridge  24  while maintaining the same gear assembly  44  or by constructing the gear assembly  44  such that the gears  58 ,  60  rotate about an axis above the projections  66 .  
         [0115]     The rotation mechanism as shown is designed to cause rotation of the cartridge  24  only upon closing movement of the lid  22 . The gear train is thus arranged to prevent transmission of a rotational force by the rack gear  42  during movement of the lid  22  to its open position and allow transmission of a rotational force by the rack gear  42  during movement of the lid  22  to its closed position. Any known design and construction of gears to provide for a one-way transmission of rotational force could be applied in the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a one-way transmission of rotational force is provided by the mounting of the shaft of the gear  48  in the aperture  52 . As such, when the lid  22  is moved to its closed position, the shaft  48 A of the gear  48  is pressed downward against a lower edge of the aperture  52  by the rack gear  42  so that the rack gear  42  frictionally engages gear  48  and causes rotation of gear  48  (see  FIG. 3 ). On the other hand, when the rack gear  42  is moved upward upon movement of the lid  22  to its open position, gear  48  moves upward (in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 4 ) out of engagement with the gear  54  such that a space G is formed between the gear  48  and the gear  54 . The upward movement of gear  48  is facilitated by the placement of the shaft  48 A of the gear in the aperture  52 . Although the rack gear  42  will continue to engage and rotate gear  48  during its upward movement, the rotation of gear  48  is not transmitted to the gear  54  so that the cartridge  24  does not rotate and unwind the twist. The size and orientation of the aperture  52  are designed to allow for movement of the shaft  48 A in the desired manner.  
         [0116]     It is also conceivable that a rotation mechanism could also be designed to cause rotation of the cartridge either only upon opening of the lid or upon both closing and opening of the lid.  
         [0117]     The apparatus is designed to hold an encapsulated waste package stationary while the flexible tubing  34  is twisted. To this end, tongues or springs  72  are attached to the flange  18 . The springs  72  hold a waste package  74  within the flexible tubing  34  stationary while the cartridge  24  is rotated to twist the flexible tubing  34  and seal the end of the waste package  74 . Alternate arrangements for preventing rotation of the waste package  74  during rotation of the cartridge  34  include springs attached to the container  12  and projecting radially inward in order to engage the waste package  74 , or springs attached to or formed integral with a retention member which in turn is attached to the container. Additional arrangements for preventing rotation of the waste package which may be incorporated into this embodiment are described below.  
         [0118]     Moreover, other arrangements for holding a waste package stationary during twisting of the tubing which may be used in conjunction with the invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,869,049, 5,590,512, 5,813,200, 6,128,890 and 6,170,240, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. These patents also disclose several variations of a cutting device that may be incorporated into the waste disposal device in accordance with the invention for the purpose of severing the flexible tubing  34  when the container  12  is full of waste packages  74 .  
         [0119]     To prepare the waste disposal device  10  for use, the cover  14  is opened and a cartridge  24  is placed onto the flange  18 . An end of the flexible tubing  34  is taken from the cartridge  24  to cause a length of the tubing  34  to be pulled through opening  36  and this end is then knotted. This knot of flexible tubing  34  is then placed over the lip  38  into the waste insertion chamber  40  to thereby form a first bag for storing a waste package  74 . The cover  14  is then reattached to the container  12  and the device is ready for use.  
         [0120]     In use, the lid  22  is opened to expose the waste insertion opening  20  of cover  14  and the aligned waste insertion chamber  40  of the container  12 . A waste package  74  such as a soiled diaper is placed into the bag formed by flexible tubing  34  preferably so that the bag is held against the springs  72 .  119  The lid  22  is then closed causing the rack gear  42  to rotate the gears  48 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 . Rotation of the gear  60 , which is in meshed engagement with the projections  66  on the cartridge  24 , will automatically cause rotation of the cartridge  24 . Rotation of the cartridge  24  will cause the flexible tubing  34  not held stationary by the weight of the waste package  74  in engagement with the springs  72  to be twisted while the waste package  74  is held stationary. Thus, the flexible tubing  32  located above the waste package  74  twists and encloses and encapsulates the waste package  74 .  
         [0121]     Once a waste package  74  is sealed, the waste package  74  can be pushed downwardly past the retention springs  72  into the container  12  upon the following insertion of a waste package into the waste insertion chamber  40 . Successive waste packages  74  can be sanitarily stored in the container  12  because each waste package  74  is individually sealed. Once the container  12  is filled, a cutting device can be used to sever the end of the most recently disposed waste package  74  from the roll of flexible tubing  34 , and the series of waste packages  74  can be removed from the container  12  through the bottom access door  16 .  
         [0122]     Modifications to the above embodiment are contemplated, including but not limited to, variations in the rotation mechanism which converts the movement of the lid to rotation of the cartridge.  
         [0123]     For example, another gear assembly for converting the downward movement of the lid  14  and associated rack gear  42  into rotational movement of the cartridge  24 , while preventing rotational movement of the cartridge  24  during upward movement of the lid  14  is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . This gear assembly  44 ′ includes a gear  48 ′ meshing with the rack gear  42  and mounted with its rotation shaft in an aperture  52 ′ formed in a plate  46 ′ attached to or formed integral with the inner wall of the container  12 . Gear assembly  44 ′ further includes a second gear  54 ′ in meshing engagement with the gear  48 ′ and which is also mounted on the plate  46 ′. A gear  60 ′ is attached to the gear  54 ′ and is arranged to mesh with the projections  64  on the cartridge  24 .  
         [0124]     For this gear assembly  44 ′, a one-way transmission of rotational force is provided by the mounting of the shaft of the gear  48 ′ in aperture  52 ′. When the rack gear  42  is moved in the direction of arrow A, which occurs when the lid  22  is being closed, it frictionally engages gear  48 ′ and pushes gear  48 ′ downward until its shaft  48 A′ is against the lower edge of the aperture  52 ′ at which time, the continued movement of the rack gear  42  causes the gear  48 ′ to rotate in the direction of arrow B causing gears  54 ′, 60 ′ to rotate in the direction of arrow C, which is opposite to the direction of rotation of gear  48 ′. Rotation of the gear  60 ′ causes rotation of the cartridge  34  through the meshing engagement of the projections  64  on the cartridge with gear  60 ′.  
         [0125]     On the other hand, when the rack gear  42  is moved upward upon movement of the lid  22  to its open position (in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 6 , gear  48 ′ is moved upward against an upper edge of the aperture  52 ′ out of engagement with the gear  54 ′ (in the direction of arrow B) with a space G being formed between the gear  48 ′ and the gear  54 ′. The upward movement of gear  48 ′ is facilitated by the placement of the shaft  48 A′ of the gear in the aperture  52 ′. Although the rack gear  42  will continue to engage and rotate gear  48 ′ during the upward movement of the rack gear  42 , the rotation of gear  48 ′ is not transmitted to the gear  54 ′ because of the separation between gear  48 ′ and gear  54 ′ so that the cartridge  24  does not rotate and unwind the twist.  
         [0126]     Instead of providing projections on the outer wall of the cartridge  24 , sponge rollers can be used to transfer the rotational force provided by the gear assembly to the cartridge.  
         [0127]     Although several embodiments of a waste disposal device incorporating cartridge rotation mechanisms in accordance with the invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the cartridge rotation mechanisms disclosed above can be incorporated into numerous waste disposal devices that differ from the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-6 .  
         [0128]     The embodiments in  FIGS. 1-6  involve the rotation of the cartridge relative to the waste package which is held stationary. The following embodiments of waste disposal devices provide rotation of the waste package relative to the cartridge which is stationary.  
         [0129]     A first embodiment of such a waste disposal device is shown in  FIGS. 7-9  and it incorporates a rotation mechanism for rotating the waste package relative to the cartridge. The waste disposal device  80  includes a substantially cylindrical container  82  having an outer wall  84 , and a base  86  arranged at a lower end of the outer wall  84 . A removable hamper  88  is provided and has a wall  88   a  which also constitutes a part of the outer wall  84  of the container  82 . The waste packages accumulate in the hamper  88  and the hamper  88  is removed from the container  82  and emptied when full. Since the hamper  88  comes into direct contact with the waste packages and is liable to become dirty, it is advantageous that it is detachable from the container  82  so that it can be easily cleaned, possibly by placing it in a dishwasher.  
         [0130]     A lid  22  is pivotally connected to the outer wall  84  so as to be movable between an open position in which a waste insertion opening  20  is exposed to enable insertion of a waste package such as soiled diaper into the container  82  and a closed position in which the lid  22  overlies and closes the waste insertion opening  20 .  
         [0131]     A flange  90  is located inside the container  82  along the inner surface of the container  82 , and may be integrally formed with the container  82 . Flange  90  can conform to the cross-sectional shape of the container  82 .  
         [0132]     A retention member  92  is seated on the flange  90  and includes tongues or springs  72  adapted to grasp a waste package  74  ( FIG. 8 ). Retention member  92  has a frame including lower planar section  92   a  from which the springs  72  and vertical walls  92   b  descend, the vertical walls  92   b  defining an enclosure in which the springs  72  retain the waste package  74 . A stepped section  92   c  is adjacent the outer edge of the planar section  92   a  and forms an indentation  92   d  enabling the retention member  92  to be movably seated on the flange  90 . A cylindrical wall section  92   e  is adjacent the stepped section  92   c  and a circular gear rim  92   f  adjoins the cylindrical wall section  92   e.  Projections  92   g  are formed on the gear rim  92   f.    
         [0133]     A removable cartridge  94  rests on the stepped section  92   c  and contains a circumferentially pleated length of flexible tubing  34 . Additional details of the cartridge  94  are set forth below with reference to  FIGS. 10-12 .  
         [0134]     A rotation mechanism  96  is provided to rotate the retention member  92 . The rotation mechanism  96  includes a rack gear  42  attached to the lid  22  and having a series of teeth on at least a portion of an inner arcuate surface, and a gear assembly  96  arranged on the container  82 . Gear assembly  96  includes a first gear  100  in meshing engagement with the rack gear  96  and a second gear  102  in meshing engagement with the first gear  100 . Gear  102  is connected to a drive gear  104  which is in meshing engagement with the projections  92   g  on the rim  92   f  of the retention member  92  ( FIG. 9 ). Gear assembly  96  also includes an appropriate mechanism for enabling one-way transmission of rotational force from the rack gear  42  to the gear  104 , for example, the formation of an aperture in which the rotation shaft of the gear  100  is arranged to enable movement of the gear  100  into and out of engagement with the gear  102  (see  FIGS. 3-6  and the relevant discussion above about the transmission of rotational force in only a single direction by mounting a rotation shaft of a gear in an aperture).  
         [0135]     Thus, when the lid  22  is closed, the rack gear  42  is moved in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 9  causing the gear  100  to rotate in the direction of arrow B. Gears  102  and  104  are caused to rotate in the direction of arrow C and the retention member  92  is caused to rotate in the direction of arrow D. As such, the closing movement of the lid  22  is converted into rotational movement of the retention member  92 . Other mechanisms for converting the movement of the lid into rotational movement of the retention member  92  are also contemplated within the scope of the invention and include those rotation mechanisms described in other embodiments herein.  
         [0136]     In order to provide for relative rotation between the retention member  92  and the cartridge  94  and thus the formation of a twist in the tubing  34  above a waste package being retained by the springs  72  of the retention member  92 , a mechanism for preventing rotation of the cartridge  94  is provided. Specifically, two pair of anti-rotation tabs  106  are arranged on the inner wall of the container  82  with the anti-rotation tabs  106  in each pair being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the size of flanges  108  formed on the cartridge  94  (see  FIG. 7 ). When the cartridge  94  is placed so that the flanges  108  are between the anti-rotation tabs  106 , the cartridge  94  is prevented from rotating along with the retention member  92 .  
         [0137]     In use, the lid  22  is opened to expose the waste insertion opening  20 . A waste package is placed into a bag formed by flexible tubing  34  preferably so that the bag is held against the springs  72 .  
         [0138]     The lid  22  is then closed causing the rack gear  42  to rotate the gears  100 ,  102  and  104 . Rotation of the gear  104 , which is in meshed engagement with the projections  92   g  on the rim  92   f  of the retention member  92 , will cause rotation of the retention member  92 . Rotation of the retention member while the cartridge  94  is held stationary will cause the flexible tubing  34  to be twisted above the waste package  74  and thereby encloses and encapsulates the waste package  74 .  
         [0139]     Once a waste package  74  is sealed, the waste package  74  can be pushed downwardly past the retention springs  72  into the container  82  upon the following insertion of a waste package into the waste insertion chamber  20 . Successive waste packages  74  can be sanitarily stored in the container  82  because each waste package  74  is individually sealed.  
         [0140]     Other constructions of retention members can be used in this embodiment. For example, the retention member  92  can be formed with a planar section from which springs  72  and the vertical walls  92   b  descend, and have a ring gear formed on an outer peripheral edge or on a lower surface. The ring gear would include teeth in meshing engagement with the drive gear  104  so that rotation of the drive gear  104  causes rotation of the ring gear and thus the retention member. The cartridge would rest on the planar section and be held against rotation by the anti-rotation tabs. As such, the stepped section, cylindrical wall section and rim are not present on the retention member.  
         [0141]     The cartridge  94  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is a unique cartridge provided with flanges. Generally, cartridges used in existing diaper pails and waste disposal devices of a similar type do not include any flanges. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that such conventional cartridges could be used in this embodiment by providing an adapter to mate with the conventional cartridge and provide the necessary flanges to mate with the anti-rotation tabs  106 . For example, the adapter could be a circular ring with opposed flanges whereby the cartridge is inserted into the adapter and fits snugly together.  
         [0142]     Details of the cartridge  94  designed for use in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-9 , as well as other embodiments described herein, are shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 10-12 . The cartridge  94  includes a casing  110  defining a cavity in which the tubing  34  is placed and an annular cover  112  connected to the casing  110  and enclosing the tubing  34  in the cavity. Casing  110  includes a cylindrical outer wall  114 , an annular lower wall  116 , a cylindrical inner wall  118  and a flange  120  extending outward from the upper edge of the outer wall  114 . The flange  120  serves to enable attachment of the casing  110  and cover  112  to one another, e.g., by adhesive. A ring-shaped opening  122  is defined between an inner edge of the cover  112  and inner wall  118  for passage of the tubing  34 . Inner wall  118  includes, or may be provided with, an annular flange or lip over which the tubing  34  passes into a waste insertion chamber  40  defined in part by the inner wall  118 .  
         [0143]     Cover  112  includes two tabs  108  on opposite sides. Tabs  108  are designed to fit between the anti-rotation tabs  106  formed in connection with the container  82  (see  FIG. 7 ). By positioning the tabs  108  on the cartridge  94  between the anti-rotation tabs  106  of the container  82 , rotation of the cartridge  94  upon rotation of the retention member  92  is prevented even though the cartridge  94  rests on the retention member  92 . Instead of the placement of tabs on both the cartridge  94  and the container  82 , other mechanisms for preventing rotation of the cartridge  94  relative to the retention member  92  can be applied in the invention.  
         [0144]     The cartridge  94  can be designed for multiple uses, i.e., to enable insertion of a new pack of tubing  34  when the tubing  34  in the cartridge  94  is exhausted (instead of folding the cartridge  94  over on itself and pushing the cartridge  94  into the waste-receiving chamber  12   a ). In this case, the cover  112  is removably attached to the casing  110 , using Velcro™ for example, and additional packs of tubing  34  provided. The additional packs of tubing  34  can be held together by appropriate means known in the art. When the tubing in the cartridge  94  is exhausted, the end of the tubing  34  is tied together and pushed into the waste-receiving chamber of the container  12 . The cover  112  is separated from the casing  110  and a new pack of tubing  34  is inserted into the casing  110 . The cover  112  is re-attached to the casing  110  and the cartridge  94  is prepared for use.  
         [0145]     Casing  110  is typically made of a plastic material and cover  112  is typically made of a fibrous material such as cardboard. The use of these materials is not intended to limit the invention.  
         [0146]     The cartridge  94  may also be designed to eliminate the need to tie the tubing  34 , both at the beginning of use of the cartridge  94  and when the tubing  34  is used up and/or the hamper  88  is full. The rear end of the tubing  34  is usually fixed to the cartridge  94  to maintain the tubing  34  in connection with the cartridge  94 .  
         [0147]     With respect to eliminating the need to tie the tubing at the beginning of use of the cartridge  94 , the cartridge  94  is constructed with the front end of tubing  34  closed, for example, by using a metal clip or clasp  124  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 . The clasp  124  is secured to the front end of the tubing  34  during manufacture of the cartridge  94  so that the cartridge  94  is ready for use immediately upon purchase without requiring removal of a length of tubing and tying of the end of the removed length of tubing (as in conventional diaper pails of the “Diaper Genie”.™ type described above).  
         [0148]     Other mechanisms for closing the front end of the tubing  34  during manufacture of the cartridge  94  can be used in the invention instead of the metal clasp  124 . For example, the end of the tubing  34  could be closed by heat-sealing (as shown in  FIG. 13D ), formed with a closed end, or sewn closed.  
         [0149]     With respect to eliminating the need to tie the tubing when the length of available tubing is exhausted and/or the pail is full, the cartridge  94  is provided with a closure mechanism which is effective to close and seal the rear end of tubing  34  without requiring tying of the tubing  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism involves a particular construction of the cartridge  94  with weakened regions, both on the casing  110  and the cover  112 , to allow for folding of a part of the cartridge  94  onto itself.  
         [0150]     More specifically, the cover  112  is provided with score lines  126 , which separate approximately equal parts  112   a,    112   b  of the cover  112  and enable the cover  112  to be folded about the score lines  126 , and with a mechanism to attach the folded parts  112   a,    112   b  of the cover  112  together ( FIG. 11 ). Instead of score lines  126  on the cover  112 , other types of constructions creating a weakened portion on the cover  112  can also be provided, for example, providing a reduced thickness along a fold line. The casing  110  is provided with slits  128  extending through the outer wall  114 , lower wall  116  and inner wall  118  and with aligning weakened sections  130  in the flange  120  ( FIG. 12 ). Slits  128  and weakened sections  130  are substantially in alignment with the score lines  126  in the cover  112 . As the cover  112  is folded about the score lines  126 , the casing  110  is folded about the weakened sections  130 , with the slits  128  serving to allow for such folding. Depending on the thickness and composition of the weakened sections  130 , the casing  110  may be actually be broken as the cartridge  94  is folded. Further, instead of slits  128 , the casing  110  can be made of a material which is easily broken and score lines or slots provided to enable breaking of the casing along the score lines or slots upon folding of the cartridge  94 .  
         [0151]     The mechanism on the cover  112  which will attach the parts  112   a,    112   b  of the cover  112  together may be of the Velcro™ type whereby part  112   a  includes a section of hook fasteners  132  and part  112   b  includes a section of loop fasteners  134  positioned to mate with the hook fastener section  132  when the cover  112  is folded about the score lines  126 . The size and shape of the hook and loop fastener sections  132 , 134  can be varied and adjusted with a view toward obtaining a sufficiently secure bond between the parts  112   a,    112   b  of the cover  112  when the cover  112  is folded about the score lines  126 .  
         [0152]     An alternative mechanism would be to arrange a strip of adhesive on one part  112   a  with a covering pad so that removal of the covering pad would expose the adhesive which would then be folded to engage the opposite part  112   b.    
         [0153]     Another alternative mechanism is shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C  and comprises a tie  136  and a clasp  138  stamped or otherwise integrated into the cover  112 ′. Cover  112 ′ also includes an aperture  140  on each part  112   a ′,  112   b ′ which align when the cover  112 ′ is folded. When the tubing in the cartridge  94 ′ is exhausted, the tie  136  and clasp  138  are removed from the cover  112 ′, the cover  112 ′ is folded about the score lines  126  and the tie  136  is inserted through the aligning apertures  140  and the clasp  138  is then attached to the tie  136  to thereby securely keep the cover  112 ′ in a folded state.  
         [0154]      FIGS. 13D and 13E  show a mechanism which eliminates the need to attach the parts of the cover  112  to one another in order to seal and close the tubing  34 . In this embodiment, a drawstring  137  is inserted into a channel formed at the rear edge of the tubing  34 . When the tubing  34  is used up, the drawstring  137  is pulled from the cartridge  94  and the exposed loops can be pulled to close the end of the tubing  34 .  
         [0155]     Once the cartridge  94 , 94 ′ is folded to close and seal the rear end of the tubing  34 , it can be pushed into the hamper  88  through the retention member  92  and the lid  22  may then be raised to enable placement of a new cartridge  94 , 94 ′ into the container  82 . The hamper  88  is emptied when full. The length of tubing  34  in the cartridge  94 , 94 ′ can be selected so that the hamper  88  is full when the tubing  34  is exhausted. In this case, emptying of the hamper  88  and replacement of the cartridge  94 , 94 ′ would occur simultaneously.  
         [0156]     The cartridges  94 , 94 ′ described above can be used as a substitute for the cartridges in any diaper or waste pail using a continuous length of flexible tubing, including those of the Diaper Genie™ type and those described herein.  
         [0157]     The immediately foregoing embodiment provided for the rotation of the retention member upon closing of the lid via a movement conversion mechanism. In other embodiments, the retention member can be rotated by depressing a pushbutton or a foot pedal.  
         [0158]     For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the rotation mechanism  96  comprises a pushbutton  142 , a motor  144  coupled to the pushbutton  142  and actuated by depression of the pushbutton  142  and a drive gear  146  actuated by the motor  144 . A part of the pushbutton  142  and the motor  144  are housed in a compartment  148  formed in a rear of the container  82  with the pushbutton  142  extending through an aperture formed in the upper wall of the rear compartment  148 . A shaft of the motor  144  extends through an aperture in the rear wall of the waste receiving chamber in the container  82 . The location of the pushbutton  142 , and motor  144 , are not limited to that shown in the illustrated embodiment and may be placed at other locations in the container  82 . For example, the pushbutton  142  can be placed along the side of the container  82  or in the lid  22  while the motor  144  can be placed at the bottom of the container  82  and an appropriate gear transmission mechanism provided to transfer the rotation force from the shaft of the motor  144  to the drive gear  146 . Also, it is contemplated that the pushbutton can be replaced by a foot pedal.  
         [0159]     A timer  150  is optionally coupled to the pushbutton  142  to enable a delay between the depression of the pushbutton  142  and the actuation of the motor  144 .  
         [0160]     When actuated, the motor  144  rotates a shaft  152  attached to the drive gear  146  so that the drive gear  146  is rotated. A power mechanism (not shown) is provided to supply power to the motor  144 , for example, either a battery housing in an accessible compartment in the container  82  or a cord extending from the motor through the rear compartment  148  to the exterior of the container  82  for insertion into a power outlet.  
         [0161]     The retention member  154  is seated on a flange  156  formed integral with the container  82 . Retention member  154  has a planar section  154   a  from which springs  72  and vertical walls  154   b  descend, the vertical walls  154   b  defining an enclosure in which the springs  72  retain the waste package. A ring gear  158  is formed on a lower surface of the planar section  154   a  and includes teeth in meshing engagement with the drive gear  146 . An alternative retention member can be formed with teeth on an outer peripheral edge, in the form of a ring gear surrounding the planar portion  154   a.  This ring gear would be supported on the flange  156  which would include an opening to enable the ring gear to engage with the drive gear  146 .  
         [0162]     An insert  160  is arranged above the retention member  154  to hold the retention member  154  in position and provide a support for the flanges  108  of the cartridge  94 . Cartridge  94  also rests on the planar portion  154   a  of the retention member  154 . The insert  160  includes anti-rotation tabs or ears  162  to prevent rotation of the cartridge  94  upon rotation of the retention member  154 . The insert  160  may be snap fit to the inner wall of the container  82 .  
         [0163]     In use, a waste package is inserted until it is held by the springs  72  of the retention member  154 , and then depression of the pushbutton  142  causes the motor  144  to rotate the shaft and drive gear  146  which in turn causes rotation of the ring gear  158  and thus the entire retention member  154 . Rotation of the cartridge  94  is prevented by the anti-rotation tabs  162  so that it is held stationary. Rotation of the retention member  154  holding the waste package relative to the cartridge  94  causes the formation of a twist of the tubing  34  above the waste package and thus encapsulation of the waste package. An advantage of this embodiment is that the waste package can be encapsulated independent of the movement of the lid  22 .  
         [0164]     Another embodiment of a waste disposal device wherein the waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge is shown in  FIGS. 16-19 . In this embodiment, the retention member is manually rotated.  
         [0165]     Initially, instead of a hamper  88 , a removable pail is used in this embodiment. The removable pail and the necessary structure to enable its use can be incorporated into any of the other embodiments described herein. Specifically, to enable use of the pail, an access door  164  is formed in the outer wall  84  and pivots about hinges  166  to enable selective access to a pail  168  resting on the base  86  in the interior of the container  82 . The size of the pail  168  is such so as to enable its removal from and re-insertion into the container  82  through the access door  164 . A closure mechanism is provided to secure the access door  164  in a closed position. The closure mechanism includes a U-shaped latch  170  arranged on the access door  164  and a projection  172  arranged on the outer surface of the outer wall  84  whereby the latch  170  is designed to overlie the projection  172  and thereby secure the access door  164  in its closed position. Other closure mechanisms can be used in the invention.  
         [0166]     An annular flange  174  is located inside the container  82  along the inner surface of the outer wall  84 . Flange  174  can conform to the cross-sectional shape of the outer wall  84 , which may be cylindrical or otherwise. A removable cartridge  94  is supported by or rests on the flange  174  and contains a circumferentially pleated length of flexible tubing  34 . The cartridge  94  is maintained in a stationary position relative to the flange  174 , for example, by providing anti-rotation tabs on the container (not shown) to accommodate the flanges  108  of the cartridge  94 .  166  Optionally, a funnel in the form of a flexible, resilient membrane  176  is connected to or constructed together with the flange  174  to support the tubing  34 . Membrane  176  also prevents odors from escaping from the container  82 . Such a membrane can also be incorporated into the other embodiments disclosed herein, either formed in connection with the cartridge on the structure on which the cartridge is seated.  
         [0167]     In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism is integral with the retention mechanism. The rotation and retention mechanism  178  thus grasps waste packages and enables unidirectional rotation of the grasped waste packages relative to the cartridge  94  so as to form a twist in the tubing  34  above a waste package  74  which thereby causes encapsulation of the waste package  74 . The cartridge  94  is maintained in a stationary position while the waste package is rotated.  
         [0168]     The rotation and retention mechanism  178  comprises a vertically oriented frame  180  including walls defining a waste passage  182 , resilient members or tongues  184  connected to the frame  180  and extending inward into the waste passage  182 , an inner ring  186  connected to the frame  180 , a first, movable outer ring  188  surrounding the inner ring  186 , a second, stationary outer ring  190  connected to the outer wall  84  of the container  82  and a handle  192  connected to the first outer ring  188  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ). The shape, number and form of the tongues  184  is not limiting and other resilient retaining members can be used in the invention. Handle  192  passes through a slot  194  in the outer wall  84  and waste passage  182  aligns with the waste insertion opening defined by the cartridge  94 .  
         [0169]     To provide for movement of the inner ring  186  and thus rotation of the frame  180  upon turning of the handle  192 , the outer surface of the inner ring  186  includes grooves and a pin  196  is arranged in connection with the first outer ring  188  ( FIG. 18 ). The grooves on the inner ring  186  are formed so that the pin  196  engages and is maintained in engagement with a single groove during turning of the handle  192  in one direction and slides over grooves during turning of the handle  192  in the opposite direction.  
         [0170]     When the handle  192  is turned in the direction of arrow A, the first outer ring  142  and connected pin  196  rotate in the same direction causing rotation of the inner ring  186  and thus the frame  180  connected thereto. On the other hand, when the handle is turned in the direction of arrow B, the first outer ring  188  and connected pin  196  rotate in the same direction but the pin  196  slides over the angled surfaces of the grooves and does not frictionally engage therewith. In this case, the frame  180  is further prevented from rotating along with the first outer ring  188  by a pin  198  arranged in connection with the inner ring  186  and engaging with grooves on the second outer ring  190  ( FIG. 19 ). The grooves on the second outer ring  190  are formed so that pin  198  slides over angled surfaces of the grooves during movement of the frame  180  in the direction of arrow A. The frame  180  is thus not moved during turning of the handle  192  in the direction of arrow B.  
         [0171]     One or more stops  200  are formed on the inner surface of the outer wall  84  of the container  82  above the rotation and retention mechanism  178  to prevent upward movement of the rotation and retention mechanism  178 .  
         [0172]     Other arrangements for providing rotation of the frame  180  upon turning of the handle  192  in only a single direction can also be used in the invention.  
         [0173]     To prepare the waste disposal device for use, the lid  22  is opened and a cartridge  94  is placed onto the flange  174 . In use, the lid  22  is opened to expose the waste insertion opening  20 . A waste package  74  such as a soiled diaper is placed into the bag formed by flexible tubing  34  preferably so that the bag is held against the resilient tongues  184 .  
         [0174]     The handle  192 , which is preferably maintained at one end of the slot  194 , is grasped and moved in the slot  194  to cause the frame  180  to turn relative to the cartridge  94 , which is held stationary, so that a twist forms above the waste package  74  and encapsulates the waste package  74  (see  FIG. 12 . Handle  192  can be repeatedly moved back and forth in the slot  194  until an adequate twist is formed above the waste package. As noted above, the frame  180  will move during movement of the handle  192  in only one direction and not in a reverse direction (so as not to undo the twist).  
         [0175]     Successive waste packages  74  are inserted into the waste insertion opening  20 , and so long as that waste package or a preceding waste package is grasped by the resilient members  184 , movement of the handle  192  will cause formation of a twist above that waste package. This procedure continues until the length of available tubing  34  is exhausted or the pail  168  is full. At this time, the lid  22  is opened and the cartridge  94  is closed by folding the cartridge  94  onto itself and connecting the hook and loop fastener sections  132 , 134 . The cartridge  94  may be pushed through the flange  174  and the frame  180  into the pail  168 .  
         [0176]     Among the advantages provided by the waste disposal device are the use of a cartridge which does not require tying of either the front or rear end of the tubing and the presence of a pail, or other comparable removable receptacle, into which the encapsulated waste packages fall so as to provide for easy removal of the series of encapsulated waste packages.  
         [0177]     The rotation mechanism described above can also be used as a substitute for the rotation mechanism in diaper and waste pails in which flexible tubing is twisted, including those of the Diaper Genie™ type.  
         [0178]     Another embodiment of a waste disposal device wherein the waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge is shown in  FIGS. 20-27  In this embodiment, the waste packages are encapsulated by an encapsulation device  202  and compacted by a compacting mechanism  204 .  
         [0179]     The encapsulation device  202  grasps waste packages and enables unidirectional rotation of the grasped waste packages relative to the cartridge  94  so as to form a twist in the tubing  34  above a waste package which thereby causes encapsulation of the waste package. The encapsulation device  202  generally comprises a retention unit  206  which engages and temporarily holds a waste package and a rotation mechanism  208  for rotating the retention unit  206 .  
         [0180]     Retention unit  206  comprises a vertically oriented frame  210  and an annular gear ring  212 . The frame  210  includes walls defining a passage through which the waste article surrounded by a section of the tubing  34  passes, resilient members or tongues  72  extending inward into the waste passage, and a support flange  214  on which the cartridge  94  rests ( FIG. 25 ). The waste passage generally aligns with the waste insertion chamber defined by the cartridge  94 . The shape, number and form of the tongues  72  is not limiting and other resilient retaining members can be used in the invention. The frame  210 , tongues  72  and support flange  214  may be formed from a single piece of molded plastic.  
         [0181]     Annular gear ring  212  may be a separate component from the frame  210  and if so, a cooperating attachment mechanism is provided to attach the frame  210  to the gear ring  212 . The cooperating attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of projections  216  formed on the upper surface of the gear ring  212  and notches  210 A formed on the outer surface of the frame  210 . As such, rotation of the gear ring  212  will cause rotation of the frame  210 . In the alternative, the frame  210  and gear ring  212  could be formed as an integral component.  
         [0182]     Optionally, a funnel in the form of a flexible, resilient membrane (not shown) may be connected to or constructed together with the support flange  214  to support the tubing  34 . The membrane would also prevent odors from escaping from the container.  
         [0183]     The gear ring  212  includes an annular slot between an upper circular rim  220  and a lower circular gear rim  222  whereby a flange  242  formed on the container is inserted into the slot  218  to retain the gear ring  212  in connection with the container  82  while permitting rotation of the gear ring  212  relative to the container  82 . Gear rim  222  includes a series of teeth. As shown in  FIG. 26 , the upper rim  220  and the gear rim  222  can be formed as separate components and provided with appropriate attachment mechanisms, for example, projections  220 A on the lower surface of the upper rim  220  and notches  222 A on the inner surface of the gear rim  222 . The gear rim  222  can thus be used with different cartridges by providing different upper rims  220 , each adapted to mate with a particular cartridge. The only constant is the gear rim  222  which has to engage the gear  228  in order to provide for rotation of the cartridge (as in  FIG. 26 ) or retention mechanism (as in  FIG. 25 ). That is, by using the two-part gear rim  212 , different frames  210  can be used with each frame having a mating upper rim  220  with the upper rims  220  all being matable to the common gear rim  222 .  
         [0184]     The rotation mechanism  208  can take a variety of different forms. The objective of the rotation mechanism  208  is to rotate the gear rim  222  of the gear ring  212  either upon direct manual activity (such as by depressing a foot pedal ( FIG. 20 ), a pushbutton ( FIGS. 21 and 22 ) or the like), upon indirect manual activity (such as by closing the lid  22 ) or automatically (such as by sensing insertion of a waste package or closure of the lid  22  and thus the need to encapsulate the waste package).  
         [0185]     One embodiment of a rotation mechanism which is based on direct manual activity is shown in  FIG. 20 . The rotation mechanism  208  comprises a motor  224  which rotates a shaft  226  having a gear  228  at an upper end. Gear  228  is in meshed engagement with gear rim  222  so that rotation of the shaft  226  is translated into rotational movement of the retention unit  206 . Gear  228  may be formed integral with the shaft  226 . The gear rim  222  and gear  228  may be beveled, i.e., have their teeth inclined in relation to upper and/or lower planes. Also, it is possible to use other types of meshing gears and couplings in order to translate the rotational movement of the shaft  226  into rotational movement of the retention unit  206  via the coupling between the shaft  226  and the gear  228 .  
         [0186]     The motor  224 , shaft  226  and gear  228  are arranged in the rear compartment  146  of the container  82 . A slot  230  is formed at an upper end of a peripheral wall  146   a  defining the compartment  146  to enable the gear rim  222  to enter into the compartment  146  and engage the gear  228 . In the alternative, it is possible to construct the wall  146   a  so that the gear  228  extends through the slot  230  and engagement between the gear rim  222  and gear  228  occurs outside of the compartment  146 .  
         [0187]     A motor actuation mechanism is arranged on the container to actuate the motor  224 . One embodiment of a motor actuation mechanism is shown in  FIG. 20  and comprises a foot pedal  232  electrically coupled to the motor  224  (the electrical connections between an external power source, the foot pedal  232  and the motor  224  being represented by dotted lines) so that depression of the foot pedal  232  causes actuation of the motor  224  and attendant rotation of the retention unit  206  and the formation of a twist above a waste package being grasped by the retention unit  206  so as to encapsulate the waste package. Instead of an external power source, an internal power source, e.g., a battery  224 A, can be positioned in the compartment  146  to provide power to actuate the motor  224  (see  FIG. 22 ). In this case, compartment  146  is made accessible by providing an access door  82 A.  
         [0188]     Another embodiment of a motor actuation mechanism, which is designed to operate based on opening and/or closing of the lid  22 , is shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  and comprises a switch or sensor  234  arranged on the flange  242  and a plunger  236  arranged on the lid  22  so that the plunger  236  contacts the switch  234  when the lid  22  is closed. The switch  234  is electrically coupled to the motor  224  and when pressed downward by the plunger  236 , causes actuation of the motor  224 . The plunger  236  is biased upward by a spring  238  to return it to its original position after being depressed. It is also possible to construct the switch  234  to automatically actuate the motor  224  upon contact with the plunger  236  in which case, the plunger  236  would be fixed in the lid  22  and immediately upon closure of the lid  22  when the switch  234  is contacted by the plunger  236 , the switch  234  would actuate the motor  224 .  
         [0189]     An optional timer could be coupled to the switch  234  or motor  224  to delay the actuation of the motor  224  for a set period of time after depression of the plunger  236  or closure of the lid  22 . In this case, the switch or sensor  234  would detect when the lid  22  is closed and send a signal to the timer. The timer then sends a signal to the motor  224  after the set period of time to actuate the motor  224 . An appropriate sensor can be provided to detect whether a waste package has been inserted into the waste passage defined by the retention unit  206  so as to prevent unnecessary rotation of the retention unit  206  and waste of the tubing  34 .  
         [0190]     In this embodiment, it is advantageous that actuation of the motor  224  and the consequent rotation of the retention unit  206  and encapsulation of a waste package being grasped by the retention unit  206  is automatic upon closure of the lid  22  and does not require any additional manual activity, thereby eliminating the problem of the user forgetting to actuate the motor  224  and causing the release of odors from an unencapsulated waste package.  
         [0191]     The location of the switch  234  and plunger  236  are not limiting and they may be arranged at other locations. Further, a manually-actuatable switch can be provided along the outer wall of the container and electrically coupled to the motor so that depression of the switch causes actuation of the motor. As such, actuation of the motor can occur without dependency on the closure of the cover. This might be useful when the encapsulation of a waste package is not entirely effective and an additional twisting of the tubing is desired.  
         [0192]     Another embodiment of a rotation mechanism includes a manually actuated lever which in is coupled to the retention unit  206  and enables rotation of the retention unit  206  upon movement of the lever, in either a unidirectional movement or in both a back and forth movement. It is also possible to provide a crank coupled to the retention unit  206  in such a manner that when the crank is pushed downward and released, the retention unit rotates. The retention unit  206  may be arranged to rotate upon either the downward movement of the crank, the return upward movement or both. Such a crank is known, for example, in the toy art.  
         [0193]     As described above, the cartridge  94  is a unique cartridge. However, it is envisioned that the waste disposal device shown in  FIGS. 20-22  can be used for other cartridges containing flexible tubing and designed for use in a waste-encapsulation type of disposal device. Such cartridges would be placed on the support flange  214 . The support flange  214  and lid  22  would be appropriately spaced from one another to provide sufficient space to accommodate a multitude of different cartridges.  
         [0194]     Since the cartridges would be supported on the support flange  214 , they could rotate along with the support flange  214 . It is preferable though to provide a mechanism for fixing the cartridge in a stationary position relative to the retention unit  206  to provide for a better twisting of the tubing  34  upon rotation of the retention unit  206 .  
         [0195]     To this end, as shown in  FIG. 26 , the gear ring  212  could serve as an adapter to secure a conventional cartridge  244  through engagement between the projections  216  formed on the upper circular rim  220  of the gear ring  212  and notches  210 A formed on the outer surface of the cartridge  244 . Some conventional cartridges include notches which arise during the manufacturing process of the cartridge. The presence of these notches is therefore exploited in the invention to enabling attachment of the conventional cartridge to the gear ring  212 . The gear ring  212  is therefore provided with the projections in locations which correspond to the locations of the notches on the conventional cartridges  244 . By connecting the cartridge  244  to the gear ring  212 , rotation of the gear rim  222  of the gear ring  212  causes rotation of the cartridge  244 .  
         [0196]     Another form of an adapter to enable use of the rotation mechanism  208  with conventional cartridges would be to form the adapter as an annular ring with a size to provide a snug fit for the conventional cartridge.  
         [0197]     The compacting mechanism  204  comprises a shaft  246  rotated by the motor  224  and connected to or formed integral with a tube  248  positioned in the waste package-receiving portion of the container  82 . The optimum location of the tube  248  relative to the base  86  of the container  82  and retention unit  206  may be determined by experimenting with the particular waste product to be encapsulated but would usually be about halfway between the base  86  and the retention unit  206 .  
         [0198]     Access door  240  includes a projection  252  which frictionally engages an inner surface of the tube  248  when the door is closed so that the tube  248  is supported at both ends.  
         [0199]     The tubing  34  is removably connected to the tube  248  so that rotation of the tube  248  causes the tubing  34  to be pulled downward and wound around the tube  248 . Connection of the tubing  34  to the tube  248  can be accomplished in a variety of ways, for example, by forming the tubing  34  with an enlarged heat-sealed end  34 A (having a shape smaller than the size of a slot  256  formed in the tube  248 ) and inserting the end into the interior of the tube  248  when the access door is open or by arranging a clip at the end of the tubing  34  and inserting the clip into the interior of the tube  248  when the access door is open. The tubing  34  can also be tied to the tube  248 . Since the tubing  34  is entrained in connection with the tube  248 , the encapsulated waste packages are compacted into a roll as the tube  248  is rotated upon each subsequent insertion of a waste package into the device (see  FIG. 24 ). The encapsulated waste packages are prevented from upward movement by the formation of the twist above each encapsulated waste package. Removal of the tubing from engagement with the tube  248  would entail pulling the forward end of the tubing  34  out of the slot  256 . The slot  256  would typically extend only over a longitudinal portion of the tube and not the entire tube.  
         [0200]     The tube  248  includes, in addition to the slot  256 , ridges  258  which may be diametrically opposed or evenly spaced around the circumference of the tube  248 . This enables the construction and use of disposable sleeves  262  having ridges  264  defining inner grooves in which the ridges  258  of the tube  248  are received (see  FIG. 23A ). A sleeve  262  is placed on the tube  248  and the tubing  34  is connected to the sleeve  262 , for example, during manufacture or thereafter by tying, adhesive or the like. Removal of the roll of waste packages would entail sliding the sleeve  262  off of the tube  248 . The cartridges  94  could thus be sold together with a sleeve  262 , a forward end of the tubing  34  being attached to the sleeve  262  while a rearward end of the tubing  34  is attached to the cartridge  94 .  
         [0201]     In this embodiment, when the motor  224  is actuated, two different operations are performed. First, the shaft  226  from the motor  224  is rotated in the direction of arrow A to cause the retention unit  206  to rotate in the direction of arrow B (via the engagement of gear  228  with the gear rim  222 ) while the retention unit  206  is grasping a waste package relative to the cartridge  94  to form a twist above the waste package (see  FIG. 23A ). Second, the tube  248  is rotated in the direction of arrow C with the tubing  34  connected thereto to cause the tubing  34 , with one or more encapsulated waste packages being situated between the tube  248  and the retention unit  206  and not yet in the roll of waste packages, to be pulled downward and around the tube  248  to compact the waste packages into a roll. Actuation of the motor  224  can be effected in the ways noted above. Separate motors can be provided for the rotation mechanism for the retention unit  206  the rotation mechanism for the tube  248 .  
         [0202]     When the container is full, the access door  240  can be opened, the tubing  34  cut at a point above the uppermost encapsulated waste package, the tubing tied and then the roll of compacted waste packages slid off of the tube  248 .  
         [0203]     Instead of having a shaft  226  extending directly from the motor  224 , it is possible to provide a gear transmission assembly between the motor  224  and the gear rim  222  as shown in  FIG. 23B . The gear transmission assembly  241  comprises several gears in meshed engagement with one gear being in meshed engagement with a gear rotated directly by the motor  224 , a shaft  243  is connected to another gear  245  and a drive gear  247  in meshed engagement with the drive gear  245  and the gear rim  222 . The gear transmission assembly can be designed to increase the rotational force provided by the motor  224 .  
         [0204]     These embodiments would be particularly advantageous for medical waste requiring special disposal, e.g., infectious or bodily waste from doctor&#39;s offices, which is generally not compacted even though it is very suitable for compacting. The cost of disposing of medical waste from doctor&#39;s offices is typically based on the number of pick-ups regardless of the amount of material, and if the medical waste could be compacted, it would result in fewer, less frequent pick-ups.  
         [0205]     It is envisioned that an attachment for a pail can also be fabricated from the components above. That is, the lid  22  and encapsulation device  202 , i.e., the retention unit  206  and rotation mechanism  208 , and the compacting mechanism  204  can be fabricated as a unit for enabling attachment to a particular size or sizes of pails (with an adapter, as needed). Once attached to the pail, upon insertion of a cartridge, a waste disposal device is obtained. In this case, an internal power source (i.e., the motor) for the rotation mechanism  208  would be used.  
         [0206]     To prepare the waste disposal device shown in  FIG. 20 , the lid  22  is opened and a cartridge  94  is placed onto the support flange  214 . For use, the lid  22  is opened to expose the waste insertion opening. A waste package  74  is placed into the bag formed by flexible tubing  34  preferably so that the bag is held against the resilient springs  72 . The lid  22  is closed and the foot pedal  232  is depressed to cause actuation of the motor  224 , either immediately or after a set period of time if a timer is present. The shafts  226 ,  246  rotate causing rotation of the gear  228  which in turn causes rotation of retention unit  206  relative to the cartridge  94 , which is held stationary by the positioning of flanges  108  on the cartridge  94  between anti-rotation tabs  106  on the container, so that a twist forms above the waste package  74  and encapsulates the waste package  74 .  
         [0207]     Successive waste packages  74  are inserted into the waste insertion opening, and so long as that waste package or a preceding waste package is grasped by the resilient springs  72 , rotation of the retention unit  204  will cause formation of a twist above that waste package. This procedure continues until the length of available tubing  34  is exhausted or the container  82  is full.  
         [0208]     A region proximate and optionally including the end of the tubing  34  may be colored differently than a remainder of the tubing  34  to provide an indication when the end of the tubing  34  is approaching.  
         [0209]     The tubing  34  can be provided with lines of depressions  34   a  (see  FIG. 22 ) at spaced intervals to enable the tubing  34  to be easily cut by tearing along the lines of depressions  34   a.  This would be beneficial for the instances where the waste chamber is full while an amount of tubing  34  remains in the cartridge. The tubing  34  is torn off at a depression line and the free end of the tubing may then be tied to form a closed, forward end or the free end can be inserted into the slot  256  in the tube  248 .  
         [0210]     In order to prevent release of odors from encapsulated waste packages, the depressions  34   a  extend only partially through the thickness of the tubing  34 . In this manner, even if a waste package was placed along a line of depressions, odors from the waste package would not be released through the depressions  34   a.    
         [0211]     In the event that the tubing is exhausted, the lid  22  is opened and the cartridge  94  is closed by folding the cartridge  94  onto itself and connecting the cover attachment mechanism, e.g., the hook and loop fastener sections  132 , 134 . The cartridge  94  may be pushed through the support flange  214  and the frame  210  into the container  82 .  
         [0212]     Although the embodiment in  FIGS. 20-22  provide for the formation of a twist by the rotation of the retention unit relative to the cartridge  94  in order to encapsulate the waste packages  74  and the compacting of the series of waste packages  74  thus-formed, it is possible to provide only the compacting mechanism  204  without any rotation of the cartridge  94  or retention unit.  
         [0213]     For example, the cartridge  94  and gear ring  212  assembly shown in  FIG. 26  can be used with a compacting mechanism  204  without any retention structure. The retention of the waste packages is provided by the compacting mechanism  204 , i.e., by the construction of the tube  248  to fixedly retain the forward end of the tubing  34 . In use, the waste package is pushed into the tubing  34  and then the motor  224  is actuated, in any of the ways discussed herein. The motor  224  causes the shaft  226  to rotate and the gear  228  to rotate so that the gear rim  222  of the gear ring  212  is rotated. The rotation of the gear ring  212  causes rotation of the cartridge  244  attached thereto. A twist forms above the waste package upon the rotation of the cartridge  244  since the end of the tubing  34  in front of the waste package is held by the tube  248  and cannot rotate. Thus, in this embodiment, for each waste package, there is relative rotation between a portion of the tubing  34  above the waste package and a portion of the tubing  34  below the waste package, with this relative rotation enabling the formation of a twist and thus encapsulation of the waste package.  
         [0214]     Another embodiment of an encapsulation device is shown in  FIG. 28  and designated  202 ′. Encapsulation device  202 ′ comprises a retention unit  206 ′ which engages and temporarily holds a waste package and a rotation mechanism  208 ′ for rotating the retention unit  206 ′. The retention unit  206 ′ is similar to retention unit  206  except that instead of an annular gear ring, it includes a pulley  266  connected to or formed integral with the frame  210 . The rotation mechanism  208 ′ includes a pair of guide pulleys  268  mounted to the container  82  and a pulley  270  attached to the shaft  246  or to the tube  248 . A cable belt  272  passes over pulleys  266 ,  268 ,  270  and frictionally engages at least pulleys  266  and  270  such that movement is imparted to the pulley  270  by the rotation of the shaft  246  and/or tube  248  caused by the motor  224  which movement is transferred to the pulley  266  via the cable belt  272  to cause rotation of pulley  266 . Rotation of pulley  266  causes rotation of the retention unit  206  connected thereto.  
         [0215]     The retention unit  206 ′ is rotatably mounted to the container, for example, by providing an annular slot which receives a flange formed on the inner wall of the container.  
         [0216]     Another embodiment of a waste disposal device wherein the waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge is shown in  FIGS. 29-35  In this embodiment, the waste packages  74  are held by a retention unit  206 , similar to the one shown in  FIG. 25 , which is rotated while the cartridge  94  of tubing  34  is held stationary. Also, anti-rotation tabs  106  are formed on the container  82  to prevent rotation of the cartridge  94  upon rotation of the retention unit  206 .  
         [0217]     A rotation mechanism  286  is provided for enabling rotation of the retention member  274  upon depressing a pedal  288  while preventing rotation of the retention member  274  when the pedal  288  returns to its original upper position. The pedal  288  is movable in a slot  290  formed in the wall of the container  82 . The rotation mechanism  286  comprises a pulley  292  arranged inside the container  82  and which is rotatably attached to the pedal  288 . A cable  294  runs over this pulley  292  and has a first end anchored to an anchor member  296  attached to a flange  298  of the container. The second end of this cable  294  is attached to a rotatable shaft  300  and a portion of the cable  294  is wound around the shaft  300 . A gear  302  is mounted on the shaft  300  and is in meshed engagement with a gear portion  304  of a clutch member  306  mounted about a drive spindle  308  attached to the flange  298 . A drive gear  310  is fixedly mounted on this drive spindle  308  and is in meshed engagement with an idler gear  312  which in turn is in meshed engagement with the gear rim  222 .  
         [0218]     The rotation mechanism  286  further comprises a spring clutch  314  arranged in the clutch member  306  to grab the drive spindle  308  during counterclockwise rotation of the clutch member  306 , so that the clutch member  306  rotates along with the drive spindle  308  and the drive gear  310 , and releases the drive spindle  308  during clockwise rotation, so that the clutch member  306  does not engage with the drive spindle  308  and does not rotate the drive spindle nor the drive gear  310 . The spring clutch  314  is attached by a pin  316  to the clutch member  306 .  
         [0219]     To cause rotation of the clutch member  306  in the clockwise direction, i.e., to cause the cable  294  to wind around the shaft  300  and thus the pedal  288  to be moved upward, a return spring  318  is connected at one end to a shaft  320  mounted on the flange  298  and at an opposite end to the clutch member  306 .  
         [0220]     In operation, when the pedal  288  is moved downward, the cable  294  unwinds from the shaft  300  causing rotation of the gear  302  and the clutch member  306 , since the spring clutch  314  grabs the drive spindle  308 . Rotation of the clutch member  306  causes rotation of the drive gear  310  which in turn causes rotation of the idler gear  312  and finally rotation of the gear rim  222  so that the retention unit  206  connected to the gear rim  222  rotates. The rotation of the clutch member  306  is against the bias of the return spring  318 . As such, when the pressure exerted on the pedal  288  is removed, the return spring  318  causes rotation of the clutch member  306  in an opposite direction, clockwise in the illustrated embodiment, so that the gear  302  rotates counterclockwise causing the cable  294  to be wound about the shaft  300  and the pedal  288  to be raised. The drive gear  310  is not rotated during the rotation of the clutch member  306  in view of the disengagement of the spring clutch  314  from the drive spindle  308 , with the result that the retention unit  206  is not rotated.  
         [0221]     Another embodiment of a waste disposal device wherein the waste packages are rotated relative to the cartridge is shown in  FIGS. 36-42 . In this embodiment, a pail  320  is rotated while it holds the waste packages. To this end, the pail  320  includes a retention member  322  extending upward from the base of the pail  320  and having sections designed to hold the first waste package between the retention member  322  and the walls of the pail  320 . Although the retention member  320  is shown having an X-shaped, other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the invention.  
         [0222]     The container  82  houses a turntable  324  rotatable about a shaft  326  attached to the base of the container and a rotation mechanism  328  for rotating the turntable  324 . The turntable  324  is arranged below the pail  320  and includes a spool section  330  on which a string is wound, a cylindrical shaft section  332  extending upward from the spool section  330  and an annular plate  334  surrounding the shaft section  332 . The spool section  330  and shaft section  332  surround the shaft  326  attached to the container  82  to enable rotation of the turntable  324  relative to the container  82 .  
         [0223]     A biasing mechanism, such as a plurality of springs  336 , is arranged between the plate  334  and the spool section  330  to bias the plate  334  upward. The springs  336  are arranged around annular seats  338  formed on the lower surface of the plate  334  which accommodate projections  340  arranged on the spool section  330 . Another spring  342  is arranged around the shaft  326  between the spool section  330  and the plate  334 . A lip  344  is arranged at the top of the shaft section  332  to limit the upward movement of the plate  334 .  
         [0224]     One end of a string  346  is connected to the spool section  330  of the turntable  324  and the spring  346  is wound around the turntable  324  with the opposite end of the string  346  being connected to a pull ring  348  situated outside of the container. Pull ring  348  rests on a flange  350  formed integral with the container  82 . A pulley  352  is also attached to the container  82  to guide the string  346  into the container  82  to the spool section  330  of the turntable  324 . As such, pulling of the pull ring  348  will cause rotation of the turntable  324  in one direction. The turntable  324  is returned to its original position by a torsion spring  354  connected to the turntable  324 .  
         [0225]     A mechanism is provided to enable unidirectional rotation of the pail  320  upon rotation of the turntable  324 , i.e., so that the pail  320  is rotated by the turntable  324  upon rotation of the turntable  324  in one direction and not the opposite direction. To this end, the turntable  324  is provided with a plurality of ramped ribs  356  on an upper surface while the bottom surface of the pail  320  is provided with corresponding ramped depressions  358 . The pail  320  can be positioned onto the turntable  324  so that the ramped ribs  356  are present in the ramped depressions  358  ( FIG. 39  or if the ramped ribs  356  are not present in the ramped depressions  358 , then the ramped ribs  356  will be urged into the ramped depressions  358  by the springs  334 , 342  when the pull ring  348  is pulled (see  FIG. 41 ) so that the pail  320  is rotated upon rotation of the turntable  324  in one direction. Release of the pull ring  348  allows rotation of the turntable  324  in the opposite direction and the ramped ribs  356  disengage from the ramped depressions  358  in the pail  320 , against the bias of the springs  334 , 342 , (see  FIG. 42 ) so that the pail  320  does not rotate with the turntable  324 . Prevention of rotation of the pail  320  is assisted by friction between the bottom of the pail  320  and a retaining wall  360  of the container surrounding the turntable  324 .  
         [0226]     In this embodiment, ribs  362  project from the inner surface of the wall of the container  82  to prevent upward movement of the pail  320  and centering ribs  364  project from the inner surface of the wall of the container  82  to center the pail  320  in a position in which the ramped depressions  358  can be engaged by the ramped ribs  356  of the turntable  324 . Also, the cartridge  94  is seated on a flange  366  formed integral with the container  82  and held against rotation by anti-rotation tabs  106  or the like as described above  
         [0227]     In use, the lid  22  is opened and the first waste package is pushed into the pail  320  and positioned between the retention member  322  and the sides of the pail  320  so that it is held in that position. The lid is closed and the pull ring  348  is pulled causing the turntable  324  to rotate with the effect that since the ramped ribs  356  are pressed into the ramped depressions  358  on the pail  320 , the pail  320  is rotated. Since the cartridge  94  is held stationary by the anti-rotation tabs, a twist is formed in the tubing  34  above the waste package. When the pull ring  348  is released, the turntable  324  rotates in the opposite direction but since the ramped ribs  356  disengage from the ramped depressions  358 , in view of the direction of the incline of the ramped ribs  356  and ramped depressions  358 , the pail  320  does not rotate along with the turntable  324 . Upon the insertion of a subsequent waste package into the pail  320 , the pull ring  348  is again pulled and since the first waste package is held, both waste packages are rotated upon rotation of the pail  320  causing the formation of a twist above the subsequent waste package. This process continues until the pail  320  is full at which time, the tubing is cut, the pail  320  is removed, emptied and then reinserted into the container  82 . The end of the tubing  34  is tied and the process continues.  
         [0228]     Another embodiment of a waste disposal device is shown in  FIG. 43 , wherein a rotating cartridge is coupled to a lid. The waste disposal device comprises a container defining a waste chamber  359  for receiving encapsulated waste package  360 . Lid  361  is coupled hingedly  367  to the container and moves between an open and closed position  362  on the container. A rotatable cartridge  363  is arranged in the container containing a length of flexible tubing  364  therein. A rotation mechanism  365  is also arranged in the container for rotating the cartridge. An actuation device  366  is configured to actuate the rotation mechanism  365 . Upon closing lid  361  of the device, the lid contacts actuation device  366  and actuates rotating mechanism  365  to rotate cartridge  363 . Lid  361  is structurally configured  368  to be coupled to the rotatable cartridge. Furthermore, the waste disposal device has an anti-twisting mechanism comprising a bar  369  for preventing the encapsulated package  360  from becoming untwisted. In addition, the container has a window  370 , for viewing the amount of accumulated waste package in the waste chamber.  
         [0229]     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.