Waste disposal device with bag-grabbing membrane

Waste container including at least one wall defining an interior space receivable of a bag and a bag handling assembly coupled to the wall(s). The bag handling assembly includes a bag support defining an opening and including a membrane having at least one slot. Each slot is defined by a pair of opposed walls, possibly parallel to one another, and a curved wall at each end of the slot connecting the opposed walls together. The opposed walls of each slot are spaced apart a distance to enable a bag, when inserted through the slot(s), to be pinched by the opposed walls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to waste disposal devices having a membrane that controls access to a bag and more particularly to a membrane for such a waste disposal device that engages the bag to reduce odor leakage from the waste contents in the bag below the membrane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Small waste disposal devices are common in households with toddlers in diapers, households with pets, hospitals, doctors' offices, biohazard laboratories, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and other locations where waste is generated and must be disposed of in a sanitary manner. Further, if the waste emits odors, the waste disposal device should also contain odors emanating from the waste.

Some of these waste disposal devices include a lid which is coupled to a rotation mechanism whereby upon closure of the lid, the rotation mechanism converts the closing movement of the lid into rotation of a twisting mechanism which engages with a length of tubing or a plastic bag in the waste disposal device to thereby cause formation of a twist in the tubing or bag. The twist is situated above the waste products in the tubing or bag so that emanation of odors from the waste products in the container is reduced.

As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,489 (Stravitz) describes a container defining a waste-receiving compartment having an opening, a lid connected to the container and having a first, closed position covering the opening of the container and a second, open position in which the opening is exposed, and a rotation mechanism arranged in the container to rotate the waste-containing member when present in the container. The rotation mechanism rotates the waste-containing member upon closure of the lid without manual handling of the lid. To this end, the rotation mechanism includes a rack gear coupled to the lid at an upper end region thereof and a gear assembly having a first gear in meshing engagement with the rack gear, and a second, drive gear in meshing engagement with the waste-containing member and which is rotationally coupled to the first gear. Downward movement of the rack causes rotation of the waste-containing member by means of the gear assembly. A foot pedal assembly causes both opening of the lid when depressed and closure of the lid when the pressing force is removed. The foot pedal assembly includes a foot pedal which extends outward from a lower region of the container, a horizontal actuating member connected to the foot pedal at a first end region, and a spring that is moved against its bias upon depression of the foot pedal and returns to its original state when the pressing force on the foot pedal is removed. The spring is coupled to the rack gear such that when the spring returns to its original state, the spring pulls the rack gear downward and thereby enables or causes closure of the lid and rotation of the waste-containing member.

Another important patent in this field is U.S. Pat. No. 10,053,283 (Stravitz) which describes a container including a bag handling assembly having a retainer coupled to a container wall, a bag support pivotally coupled to the retainer, and a closure component pivotally coupled to the bag support independent of the pivotal coupling of the bag support to the retainer. A first attachment structure pivotally attaches the bag support to the retainer, e.g., a hinge component on the retainer and a cooperating hinge component on the bag support on a first side of an opening defined by the retainer. A second attachment structure pivotally attaches the closure component to the bag support, e.g., an additional hinge component on the bag support and a cooperating hinge component on the closure component on a second side of the opening defined by the retainer. To fix the bag between the closure component and the bag support, the bag support includes an inner wall for supporting an open end of the bag, as well as an outer wall spaced from the inner wall, and a rim portion between the inner and outer walls, with a channel being defined above the rim portion between the inner and outer walls. The closure component defines a channel on an underside dimensioned relative to the inner wall such that when the closure component is pivoted against the bag support, the inner wall is received in the channel. To secure the closure component to the bag support, the closure component preferably includes a tab and the bag support preferably includes a flexible retainer that cooperates with the tab to enable temporary securing of the closure component to the bag support via engagement of the tab with the retainer. The bag support optionally includes a membrane having intersecting channels and intersecting slits at an angle from the channels, the channels being dimensioned to allow the bag to be received therein.

It is recognized that some of the previously issued U.S. patents to the inventor describe waste containers that utilize a bag and wherein, upon opening and or closing of a lid, a series of gears rotates a pliable membrane having fingers through which the bag extends to cause temporary twisting and or un-twisting of a temporary twist in the upper region of the bag above the waste. One purpose of the temporary twist is to substantially contain (hold down) offensive odor until such time as the bag is filled with odiferous waste and is ready for removal. One embodiment even provides a welded foldable handle to which the open end of the bag is attached to enable easy removal of a waste-containing bag. Yet another embodiment requires cutting the continuous tube of film and tying a knot for subsequent removal.

These variations are offered in current waste pails sold by Munchkin Inc. and some are based on causing rotation of the waste via a resilient rubberized injection molded TPE plastic membrane. This membrane is generally designed with slits that form fingers therebetween with the fingers sufficiently spaced apart to enable entraining of waste by the membrane. If the fingers of the membrane were to be too close to each other, grab functionality would be impaired. Munchkin pails are marketed as the Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail, the Munchkin Step Pail and the Munchkin Pail.

An improvement to the waste containers with membranes that rely on grabbing of the waste when inserted through the membrane to enable rotation of the entrained waste to form a twist in the bag or tubing that prevents odor release from the waste was sought in order to, among other things, improve odor release prevention while simplifying the components. For example, elimination of the rotational componentry would simplify design and manufacture of the waste container.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a waste container that includes a membrane having a unique design, configuration and characteristic hardness (durometer) and which is able to produce substantially the same or a better odor barrier effect as prior art membranes in waste disposal devices without utilizing a rotation mechanism to form a temporary twist in a bag or tubing passing through the membrane.

In order to achieve this object or one or more other objects, a container in accordance with the invention includes at least one wall defining an interior space receivable of a bag, and a bag handling assembly coupled to the wall(s). The bag handling assembly includes a bag support defining an opening and including a membrane having one or more slots. Each slot is defined by a pair of opposed, parallel walls and a connecting wall at each end connecting the opposed walls together. The opposed walls of each slot are spaced apart preferably a common distance along a length of the slot between a central region of the membrane and the connecting wall to enable a bag, when inserted through each slot, to be pinched by the opposed walls. In some embodiments, the membrane includes reinforcement ribs on a surface that project beyond the surface, e.g., a lower surface, and extend from a central region of the membrane linearly toward a circumferential edge of the membrane. The reinforcement ribs are between the slots, for example, one reinforcement rib between each adjacent pair of slots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements,FIG. 1is a perspective view of a waste disposal device or container10in accordance with the invention which is preferably used to dispose of waste, but which may be used for any purpose. Waste disposal device10includes an outer wall12that is substantially cylindrical, and a lid14that has a first, open position in which access to a bag16retained in the waste disposal device10is possible (as shown inFIG. 1) and a second, closed position in which access to the bag16, and more generally, to the interior of the waste disposal device10, is prevented. Outer wall12represents at least one wall that defines an interior space or compartment in the waste disposal device10that is receivable of a bag into which waste is to be placed. It may consist of a single wall or comprise multiple walls.

Waste disposal device10also includes a base (not shown) on which the outer wall12is supported, and a lid control mechanism that controls opening and closing of the lid14, i.e., movement of the lid14between its open and closed positions. The base may alternatively be integrated into the outer wall12. The control mechanism may include a foot pedal and actuating rods that cooperate to convert downward movement of the foot pedal into opening movement of the lid14, see FIG. 5 of U.S. Ser. No. 10/053,283. The foot pedal may be biased to return to an upper position to enable repeated downward movement. One skilled in the art would understand how to make and use the control mechanism, and numerous and different types of control mechanisms are known to those skilled in the art and may be used in the invention. Often, the control mechanism is concealed in the outer wall12and/or the base of the waste disposal device10. Another such mechanism is a simple push to open the lid by, for example, pressing the front top and in turn closing the lid14by pressing the lid14down. This is common and well known.

Indeed, the general properties of the waste disposal device10are not material to the invention and the invention may be used in any type, shape and size of container without limitation to the type and shape disclosed and illustrated herein.

Waste disposal device10includes a bag handling assembly26that has three main parts. Bag handling assembly26may have a unitary structure which is formed as a unit and then attached to the outer wall12of the waste disposal device10. Bag handling assembly26may be an insert that is removable as a unit from the coupling to the outer wall12.

The first part of the bag handling assembly26is a retainer28that extends inward from the outer wall12and when formed separate therefrom, may be coupled to the outer wall12. Retainer28may be an integral part of the waste disposal device10or a separate component that may be temporarily or permanently attached to the outer wall12or another part of the waste disposal device10to provide a secure base for the remaining parts of the bag handling assembly26. The retainer28may be attached to the outer wall12by structure disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/053,283. The retainer28may also be molded together with the outer wall12. Any structure which connects the retainer28to the outer wall12may be considered coupling means for coupling the retainer28to the outer wall12. One skilled in the art of containers would understand that such coupling means encompass a wide variety of structure known to those skilled in the plastics manufacturing field.

Retainer28generally has the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the outer wall12but this is not a limitation on the retainer28. The term “coupled to” or variants thereof when used to describe a functional relationship between two components means that one component may be attached to the other component directly or may be attached indirectly to the other component via one or more other components.

Retainer28may have characteristics like the retainer in U.S. Ser. No. 10/053,283, for example, a substantially planar rim portion32and a hinge component36arranged on, coupled to or integrated into the rim portion32. Rim portion32has a planar portion whose outer circumference is like the inner circumference of the region of the outer wall12to which it is coupled and an inner circumference like the outer circumference of the inward part of the bag handling assembly, i.e., a bag support44.

The second part of the bag handling assembly26is thus the bag support44which includes a hinge component46that mates with hinge component36to enable the bag support44to pivot relative to the retainer28. Bag support44has a generally annular form defining an opening, annular being used herein to mean defining an opening without limiting the shape of the bag support44.

The structure of the hinge components36,46may be any known type of structure which includes a part on each of two components with these parts interacting to allow for pivotal movement, whether a hinge or referred to by another commercial name. Such hinge components36,46are well-known to those skilled in the field of hinges and more generally pivotal attachment structure. Exemplifying embodiment of the hinge components36,46are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/053,283, which also describes additional features of the bag support44. A hinge component58is arranged on or integrated into a lower wall54of the bag support44.

The third part of the bag handling assembly26is a closure component60which includes a hinge component62that mates with hinge component58to enable the closure component60to pivot relative to the bag support44. Hinge component62projects from an annular part of the closure component60by an extension piece, annular being used herein to mean defining an opening without limiting the shape of the closure component60.

The structure of the hinge components58,62may be any known type of structure which includes a part on each of two components with these parts interacting to allow for pivotal movement, whether a hinge or referred to by another name. Such hinge components58,62are well-known to those skilled in the field of hinges and more generally pivotal attachment structure. Exemplifying embodiment of the hinge components58,62are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/053,283.

The combination of the hinge components58,62(second attachment means) are situated radially inward of the combination of the hinge components36,46(first attachment means) because the closure component60is smaller in size than the bag support44, and the bag support44is smaller in size than the retainer28.

When the closure component60is in a down position against the bag support44, the bag16is pressed between the closure component60and the bag support44. More specifically, the closure component60defines a channel on an underside that is receivable of an inner wall of the bag support44such that upon pivoting of the closure component60into engagement with the inner wall, the bag16when present is clamped between the closure component60and the inner wall. This channel is generally defined by two spaced apart walls and bottom wall to form the downwardly oriented channel. Closure component60thus has a generally square shape like the shape of the inner wall, although their shapes may vary. The “general” square shape of the closure component60means that the closure component60has four sides but not necessarily that the edges of these sides that meet one another are exactly perpendicular to one another. The meeting edges may be curved as shown and the opposed sides of the closure component60are not required to be exactly linear and parallel to one another.

Bag support44therefore serves two important functions, first to provide a pivotal attachment to the retainer28to enable access to an interior of the waste disposal device10for removal of the bag16when it has been used to hold for example waste, and second to provide the inner wall to allow for selective clamping of an open end of the bag16by the closure component60against this inner wall. This clamping is a contact pressing with the bag16being pressed by the closure component60against the inner wall to thereby trap odor arising from material in the bag16inside of the bag16. When the bag is not present, there may be contact between the closure component60and the inner wall or only a slight allowance of less than the thickness of a bag expected to be used in the waste disposal device10.

The closure component60is not a required component and the bag handling assembly26may include only the retainer28and the bag support44. In such an embodiment, the bag16is retained between bag support44and the retainer28. Specifically, the bag support44is lifted up relative to the retainer28and the open edge of the bag16is placed alongside the retainer28and then the bag support44is pivoted downward to sandwich the open edge region of the bag16against the retainer28and thereby secure the bag16in the waste disposal device10.

As to the former function, the bag support44can be pivoted upward by the cooperating hinge structure36,46to enable access to the bag16, and notably removal of a bag16containing waste while the bag support44is pivoted upward relative to the retainer28. It is not required that the closure component60be pivoted upward away from the bag support44when the bag support44is pivoted upward relative to the retainer28to remove a bag from the waste disposal device10.

Closure component60includes an optional tab68opposite the hinge component62, and an optional flexible retainer66is arranged on the bag support44, e.g., on the lower wall54of the bag support44. The tab68can be pressed under a lip of the retainer to thereby secure the closure component60to the bag support44and prevent upward pivotal movement of the closure component60relative to the bag support44. To release the tab68from the retainer66, the retainer66is flexed outward allowing the tab68to be lifted upward. Additional details of the cooperation of a tab and retainer are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/053,283 and the inventor's earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/413,163 filed Jan. 23, 2017, Ser. No. 14/935,835 filed Nov. 9, 2015, Ser. No. 14/709,878 filed May 12, 2015, Ser. No. 14/537,044 filed Nov. 10, 2014, Ser. No. 14/109,270 filed Dec. 17, 2013, 61/881,386 filed Sep. 23, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Instead of the cooperating tab68and retainer66, other structure may be provided on and/or integrated into the bag support44and the closure component60to enable the closure component60to be temporarily secured to the bag support44during use of the waste disposal device10. Generally, such structure will be referred to as securing means for securing the closure component60to the bag support44.

Bag support44includes a membrane72(as shown inFIGS. 2-5) that may be integrated into the bag support44by attaching it to the inner wall and/or the lower wall54. Membrane72may be a separate component from the bag support44and attached thereto. It may be injection overmolded, two-shot injection molded, or even press fit and possibly offered commercially with one or more membranes of different durometer or reinforcement to address the desired specific end use. For example, offensive odor or hazardous matter may be advantageously remediated by one such specified configuration (durometer and reinforcement structure-described below) while general household (kitchen waste) may be advantageously remediated by another resilient membrane with a softer durometer and fewer reinforced ribbing, etc. The ability to interchange membranes may offer a manufacturing advantage insofar as it provides a simplicity in keeping parts in stock and all remaining parts are common except for the specific membrane to perform a desired functionality directed to a given industry.

Membrane72includes four slots74arranged such that one pair of slots74aligns with one another and the other pair of slots74aligns with each other, with the aligning pairs of slots intersecting at an angle of about 90 degrees (seeFIG. 2). Each slot74may be defined by a pair of substantially parallel walls (although they can also be interrupted so long as the bag is pinched). Yet continuous parallel walls creating a substantial narrow slit is a more positive means to retain (keep) offensive odors and germs in the portion of the bag16below the membrane72. Close walls76will likely give the best odor barrier results. Walls76are spaced apart from one another and extend between a central region of the membrane72and a curved connecting wall78proximate a circumferential edge84of an elastic portion of the membrane72. By the opposed walls76being substantially parallel, it is meant that the walls76do not have to be spaced apart the same distance along their entire length but that there may be a variation in the spacing between the opposed walls, including a progressive variation from one end of the slot74to the other end of the slot74.

It is possible to vary the number of slots74, more or less than the four as shown, and form each of these slots74from a respective pair of parallel walls76that extend from a point proximate an edge of the membrane72to or approximately to the center of the membrane72. That is, a membrane in accordance with the invention may include only three slots74, each extending from a point proximate a circumferential edge84of the membrane72to or approximately to the center of the membrane72. Each slot74does not have to align with another slot74, but rather, there may be equiangularly spaced on the membrane72. Similarly, there may be any number of slots74equiangularly spaced on the membrane72. When four or more slots74are formed on the membrane72, one or more pairs of slots74may align with one another (alignment in pairs). Alignment of slots74means that the two slots74form a continuous channel through the center or central region of the membrane72.

It is expected that providing fewer slots74offers added strength to the membrane72and provides a less complicated return of the membrane72to its previous unstressed state.

With the disclosed formation of the membrane72, it becomes possible to push the bag16through the membrane72such that a portion of the bag16is received in each slot74as shown inFIG. 3. The bag16is thus held by the membrane72while preventing release of odor from any waste in the bag16. An added odor prevention feature is that the slots74can be configured to cause bunching of the bag16(discussed further below).

FIG. 4shows a situation where a waste item is being inserted into the waste disposal device10through the membrane72. The waste item is pushed, either manually or by structure, against the membrane72to cause the fingers70of the membrane72to separate from one another and enable the waste to pass through the membrane72. The open state of the fingers70of the membrane72is shown inFIG. 5.

As best seen inFIG. 3, the parallel walls76and curved wall78extend below the lower surface80of the membrane72. The height of this extension may be dimensioned in accordance with the desired goals of the membrane72discussed below, notably, sealing the bag16when passing through the slots74.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, the membrane72optionally includes supporting or reinforcement ribs82on its underside (extending downward from or above the lower surface80) to aid in the return of the membrane72toward its original or previous state. Each rib82extends radially outward from a central region of the membrane72toward the circumferential edge84. The inner edge of each rib82may be positioned at any location between two adjacent slots74, although spaced apart equally from the adjacent slots74may be most desirable. Ribs82are preferably linear, i.e., straight from the central region toward a point proximate the circumferential edge84of the membrane72.

Membrane72includes a first elastic portion in which the slots74are formed and on which the ribs82are formed, and a second portion86around and radially outward of the circumferential edge84, as shown best inFIG. 7. This second portion86may be made of an inelastic material and provides support to the elastic portion. The membrane72is supported by the bag support44by providing a support rim or lip for the inelastic portion86on, for example, an inner circumferential surface of the bag support44. The manner in which the membrane72is supported by the bag support44by its inelastic portion86is not material to the invention and any type of support structure is encompassed within the scope of the invention.

Each rib82may be formed by a raised portion of the membrane72that extends from about 2 mm to about 3 mm above the lower surface80of the membrane72. In this connection, the term “above” means that if the membrane72were to be turned over and the lower surface80faced upward, the ribs82would be higher than the lower surface80. However, when the membrane72is in place, the ribs82extend in the direction toward the bottom of the waste disposal device10.

Each rib82preferably has a thickness between about 2 mm and 5 mm. As seen inFIG. 6, the height above the lower surface80of the membrane72can vary from a smallest height proximate the central region to a largest height proximate the circumferential edge84. These dimensions can be changed so they are merely suggestions. Indeed, the above range is not meant to be limiting because, among other reasons, membranes72with different characteristics will enable formation of ribs82with a different range of thickness. As an alternative configuration of a reinforcement structure, instead of a single relatively thick rib82, it is possible to provide two supporting ribs of thinner wall thickness parallel to each other. Accordingly, the length of the reinforcement structure (one or two ribs) and the thickness of each rib are variable and different numbers of ribs and different rib thicknesses could provide the same or similar results.

Although the membrane72is shown with four ribs82spaced approximately ninety degrees apart from one another, this configuration is not limiting. The membrane72may include any number of ribs82, i.e., one or more, and there are not required to be situated equiangularly around the membrane72.

Adding the reinforcement ribs82to the membrane72improves the resiliency of the membrane72, increasing the inherent force in the membrane72that urges the membrane72to return to its previous state prior to waste insertion. As mentioned above, return of the membrane72toward and ideally to its previous, closed state, produces an effective barrier or odor containment shield.

Reinforcement ribs82may be helpful in the event the bag16below can be heavy when filled. The width of each rib82and the length of the rib82can be molded to form a substantial reinforcement to return the membrane72to its previous state after waste insertion. Each rib82can be at least as wide and at least as high as the typical thickness of the membrane72minimally, to as much as twice that. The length of each rib82may remain the same height or taper and run from the central area of the membrane72to the end (or short of the end) of the outer circumferential edge84. Each rib82will significantly assist the membrane72to remain reasonably stable under excessive pressure. The selected membrane durometer, coupled with the rib82in combination will accomplish this.

The thickness of the membrane72should be ideally at least about 0.06 inches, i.e., 0.06 inches or more, depending on the durometer, and the width of the reinforcing ribs82should be reasonably the same height as the thickness of the membrane72, and the length of each slot74may be approximately the entire distance from the center of the membrane72to the circumferential edge84. The length of the slots74is a variable parameter that should be considered when designing the membrane72since shorter slots can bunch up the bag or tubing and such bunching contributes to better sealing of the opening of the bag (and thus improves the odor barrier).

Another variable parameter that can be adjusted is the width of the slots74, i.e., the separation distance between the parallel walls76. The substantial closeness of the parallel walls76to one another improves the reinforcement provided by the walls76. One reason is that once waste is inserted through the bag16, and in turn the slots74, it is the close width of the slot74that has the most return effect. For example, if a slot74is about 0.03 inches wide and a bag or tubing is inserted through it, the slot74forces the bag or tubing to bunch up and form numerous creases. If the slot74is tight (for example, the walls76are from about 0.03 inches to about 0.06 apart) and a bunched, forced creased bag has a ragged width, this coupled with the friction of the membrane72causes the crimped bag to be temporarily captured in each of the slots74as the waste is urged through the membrane72.

The closer the slots74are to one another, the more ragged folded creases form and air will cause effective engagement by the narrow slots74. An increase in this bunching occurs, resulting in a more effective temporary odor barrier. The random creases, along with air being trapped loosely therebetween gives the bunched up creases of the bag16sufficient width to become substantially trapped in the close slots74. In fact, the slots74do not necessarily need to be formed by exactly parallel walls76, rather, so long as along the length of the slot74at least one or a plurality of opposing walls of the slots74are close to each other to effect a temporary pinch.

While it is ideally more effective for the walls76of each slot74to be parallel to one another, the membrane72provides for the crease forming and consequent odor barrier formation functionality even when they are not parallel to one another, for example, when the walls74are interrupted so long as one or more points of one wall76remains sufficiently close to the opposing wall76of the slot74. It should even suffice if one point along the wall76is sufficiently close to an opposing point on the opposing side of the wall76. They can even be offset from each other.

An important aspect is the formation of the slot walls76to pinch and hold the bag once it enters the slot74formed by the walls76. Other constructions of the slot walls76to provide for this pinch and hold effect are readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains in view of the disclosure herein and considered by the inventor to be part of the invention. Subsequent insertions allow the slots74to allow waste to push the walls76open (FIG. 5) and afterwards the walls76return to memory (FIG. 3) and once again repeat the pinches provided by the walls76. This will continue without interruption until such time as the bag16is removed. Throughout this repeated procedure, the narrow slots74effectively significantly restrict any updraft of offensive odor from the contents of the bag16below. The central area where all of the slots74end should be reasonably the same size as that of the slot thickness (i.e., the distance between the opposed walls76) because this selected dimension will in itself cause a pinch in the central area of the bag16, as well (seeFIG. 7).

In one embodiment, the channels formed by aligning slots74are less than the width of the bag16when flat (by appropriately selecting a bag). This dimensioning forces the bunching condition to continue to fill the slots74with bunched, crimped bag portions that effectively assist in sealing and preventing offensive odor from escaping the waste below the membrane72.

Another important point relates to the closeness of the central area where the slots74meet. The closer the internal regions of the slots74are to one another, the better the seal of the remaining crimped bag that is not trapped by the slots74. In a preferred embodiment, the central opening should be in a range from about 0.03 inches to about 0.10 inches which will effectively grab the remaining central area of the bag to complete the effective temporary seal throughout the process.

To assist in keeping the membrane72functioning effectively and with minimum drag, it is desirable that the bag16used with the waste disposal device10be long enough so that it rests comfortably on the base of the waste disposal device10and remains so until such time as the bag16is full and ready for removal (exemplifying removal processes are described below). This minimizes drag and provides a seamless operation of odor containment. For example, a 21 inch high waste disposal device may use a longer bag such as one that is anywhere from about 32 inches to about 36 inches long. As the bag16fills up with waste, the bag16will remain full as still rest on the base of the waste disposal device10and the membrane72therefore will remain in its original state after each waste insertion. Reinforcing ribs82are advantageous especially when shorter bags are used if weight is an issue.

As used above, a membrane72is an example of a resilient component with narrow substantially reinforced slots74that when pressed (during waste insertion) causes the slots74to temporarily squeeze to thus have one side of the slot74engage the other side of the same slot74. Furthermore, when a bag is placed on top of the membrane72and the waste, such as diapers, medical waste, left-over food, pet waste etc., is thus inserted to pass through the membrane72the following condition takes place: the width of the waste being inserted (diaper, a human hand inserting this waste, a crumpled milk carton, leftover take-out food etc) engages the bag16over the substantially parallel, close, substantially reinforced slots74which temporarily face each other and thus grab the bag (pinch it) leaving the bag substantially between each given slot74upon removing the hand.

Returning the membrane72to its previous, relaxed state is dependent on the weight of the waste below and the durometer of the membrane72. Furthermore, the length of the slots74, the reinforcement of the slots74and added reinforced ribs82will contribute to the membrane72returning to its previous state and thus produce effective barrier containment as well as that of the prior art waste disposal device including costly complicated rotational components.

In a preferred embodiment, the membrane72is curved (seeFIG. 1), the substantially planar walls76are parallel and close to one another, the slots74are reinforced with ribbing that when depressed, one wall76of a slot74engages (touches) the other wall76of the same slot74, the slots74are not all the way across so the curved non-slotted area assists in urging the membrane72back to its previous state after each insertion of waste. Reinforcement ribs82and the membrane curvature coupled with the distance between slot ends further assists the membrane72to return to effectively pinch the bag effectively in each narrow, substantially parallel-walled slot74.

With heavier waste below, even if there is still a little sag in the membrane72, the majority of the bag is still substantially pinching tight the bag between slots74. This condition is minimized by one or more factors:1) a change of durometer (for example from softer Shore 65 A to Shore 85 A);2) adding one or more reinforcement ribs82to compensate for the added weight; and3) providing a reinforced slot74with raised ribbing around the narrow slot74to assist the temporary caving of one side of the slot74meeting the other side to form the necessary permanent pinch (until the bag is removed).

The action occurs upon either placing the bag through the first waste insertion. Subsequent waste insertions will keep the bag substantially trapped in the parallel slots of the membrane72and thus form the desirable odor barrier as waste fills up the bag below the membrane72.

FIGS. 4 and 5show a more pronounced curvature of the membrane72. The membrane72is curved from the curved wall78of one slot74to the curved all of each adjacent slot74. This curvature contributes to the inherent property of the membrane72to return from its open state during waste insertion to its previous, closed state prior to waste insertion. This curvature is one factor to consider when designing the membrane72because the greater the curvature, the greater the force is that urges the return of the membrane72.

In waste disposal device10, bag removal is facilitated by, once the bag16is full or it is otherwise desired to change the bag16, pivoting the closure component60upward relative to the bag support44to release the clamping force of the closure component60against the bag support44(to arrive at the state shown inFIG. 1). Then, the end of the bag16is grasped, tied or knotted, and then inserted through the membrane72into the interior of the waste disposal device10. Then, the bag support44is pivoted upward relative to the retainer28by, for example, the user inserting their finger into a recess38in the retainer28and lifting the bag support44upward, e.g., a tab34of the bag support44(seeFIG. 1), to thereby increase the size of the opening at the top of the waste disposal device10. Finally, the bag16is grasped by the user's hand and pulled out of the interior of the waste container device10.

As an alternative, the waste disposal device10may be provided with a door in the outer wall12. In this case, a person seeking to remove the bag16simply opens the door in the outer wall12, inserts their hand into the interior of the waste disposal device10and removes the tied or knotted bag16therefrom.

A new, single use bag is then procured, placed into the interior of the waste disposal device10. This placement may be either before the bag support44is pivoted downward to rest on the retainer28or after. In the former situation, the bag support44is pivoted downward and the user has to extend their hand through the membrane72to reach the upper end of the bag16and pull the bag16through the bag support44to drape the upper end over the inner wall50. In the latter situation, the user pushes the bag16through the membrane72and then drapes the upper end of the bag16over the inner wall. In both situations, the upper end of the bag16has its open end draped over the inner wall and then the closure component60is pivoted against the inner wall to secure this new bag16in a position ready for use.

Instead of the bag removal and insertion procedure described above involving the two pivotal movements to release the bag16from its clamping and then to increase the size of the opening, it is possible to construct the waste disposal device10with an access door in the outer wall12, and then access the bag16with waste by opening the access door. An empty bag16may also be inserted through the access door and then its upper end passed upward through the membrane72, then its upper end draped over the inner wall50and then the closure component60closed to clamp the upper end of the bag16between the inner wall50and the closure component60.

An important feature of the embodiments of the waste disposal device disclosed herein is that they do not include costly complicated rotational components that serve to rotate the membrane while waste is entrained thereby. Lack of structure to enable rotation of the membrane enables considerably more simplified structure to retain the membrane and support the membrane on the container wall.

An important advantage of waste disposal devices with the membrane disclosed above is that it becomes possible to remove waste with minimal exposure to direct contact with odiferous and potential hazardous waste contents, there being sealed off below the membrane. The removal process entails tying a knot in a bag passing through the membrane. This bag, or more specifically the open edge of the bag, may be retained by structure on the membrane retainer or support structure such as disclosed in the patents and application mentioned above, or secured between the membrane retainer or support structure and a container wall. To enable tying of the knot, the open edge of the bag is first released from its retention, if necessary. It is possible that the bag is a drawstring bag which, instead of tying a knot, simply requires pulling on the drawing to close the bag and then tying the drawstring to itself, i.e., knotting the drawstring.

Regardless of the type of bag, the open edge of the bag is closed at a location above the membrane. The bag is then removed from the container without concern of odor from the bag releasing from the bag. For example, it is possible to insert the now-closed end of the bag through the membrane into the container, then lift the bag retaining structure upward to access the interior of the container and then lift out the waste-containing bag.

This provides a substantial improvement to prior waste disposal devices which involve direct exposure to the contents, for example, in those conventional waste pails utilizing inner liners, and to those diaper pails (e.g., sold by Munchkin and sold under the tradename Diaper Genie™) whereby the person removing the waste-containing bag has their face in front of the open bag each time then need to cut the tubing and tie the filled bag for subsequent removal. At this time, the tubing is further tied or knotted to begin a new bag. This exposure can, depending on the person's level of speed, last for a few minutes which unfortunately results in somewhat annoying exposure to, for example, odors from soiled fecal and urine-soaked baby diapers, as well as to possible contagions from the waste.

In the invention, by safely separating the waste below the membrane72from the beginning of the waste disposal process (since the bag placed into the container through the membrane27is initially sealed, and safely sealing it (tying a knot above the membrane72) makes this a non-obvious distinct advantage.

This invention (notably, the bag handling assembly26with membrane72) can be integrated into a waste disposal device in its entirety, or can be sold or offered as a retrofit to the myriad of existing waste disposal devices currently in use in homes, hospitals, nursing homes, bio-labs, offices and the like. This conversion can offer a level of safety where smell, bacteria and fungus pose a serious or annoying issue.

Durometer of the membrane72plays a critical component insofar as, depending on the contents and weight below the membrane72, contributes to improving the function of the membrane72that provides an effective barrier. Appropriate selection of the durometer of the membrane72can be achieved by testing the same membrane72structure made from materials with different durometers, e.g., from Shore 65 A to Shore 85 A, and identifying which perform best. The best membrane durometer may be dependent on other factors, e.g., the size of the membrane72, the number and size of the slots74, the height of the walls76,78below the lower surface80of the membrane72, the length of the slots74, the presence, number and construction of the reinforcement ribs82, the expected weight of the waste, the expected thickness of the bag16to be used with the membrane72, and other factors that would be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

As used above, a membrane is an example of a resilient component that includes slots or slits to enable material passage therethrough. Other units or components that provide a similar functionality and may be referred to by a name other than a membrane are also considered to be encompassed by reciting a membrane in this specification.

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. Indeed, the membranes disclosed above may be used in any of the waste containers or waste disposal devices disclosed in the patents and application incorporated by reference herein, e.g., those identified above, to the extent the waste disposal devices include a membrane that can be replaced by the membranes disclosed herein.