Abstract:
A waste container for disposing sanitary waste, such as soiled diapers, comprises a canister having a storage space, an opening at an upper end and a bottom at a lower end. A retainer frame is pivotally attached to the canister and has an aperture for inserting a trash bag through the aperture and folding an upper edge of the trash bag over the retainer frame. A retainer is pivotally attached to the canister and has a rim that inserts into the aperture of the retainer frame to retain the trash bag. A lid having a hole which aligns with the aperture of the retainer frame is pivotally attached to the canister for allowing the lid to pivot between a closed position covering the opening and an open position. A sliding door is coupled to the lid and is slidable between a closed position and an open position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention generally relates to waste disposal containers, like trash cans, and more particularly to a waste disposal container for disposing sanitary waste which minimizes odors inside the container from escaping to the outside of the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of waste containers for sanitary products, such as diapers, feminine hygiene products and the like, have been provided. Because such waste products are often wet and foul smelling, the containers typically accommodate a trash bag liner for holding the waste inserted into the waste container. The trash bag liner protects the container from being contaminated or soiled by the waste products. 
     A number of the previous waste containers also include designs to minimize the escape of odors from the waste products in the containers. Some designs have a length of flexible tubing that is twisted between each waste product to separately encapsulate each of the waste products. Other designs use a series of normally open and normally shut openings, or revolving doors to trap odors. 
     Several representative examples of waste containers may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,869,049; 6,170,240; 5,765,339; 5,799,909; 5,813,200; and 6,612,099; which provide further background for the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an innovative waste container, which is especially well-suited for disposing sanitary waste such as diapers. The container is portable, easy to use, configured for use with a trash bag liner, and effective at preventing the escape of odors from within the container. 
     In one embodiment, the container comprises a canister defining a storage space and having an opening at an upper end and a bottom at a lower end. The lower end of the canister and/or bottom form a base upon which the container can stand. A retainer frame is movably coupled to the upper end of the canister. The retainer frame has a ring portion having an aperture for inserting a bag, such as a disposable trash bag or a reusable bag, through the opening and folding an upper edge of the trash bag over the retainer frame. The retainer frame is adjustable between a lowered position in which the retainer frame is positioned over the opening of the canister and a raised position in which the retainer frame is substantially out of the way of the opening of the canister. 
     In another aspect, the retainer frame may be pivotally attached to the canister for allowing the retainer frame to pivot between the lowered position in which the retainer frame is positioned over the opening of the canister and the raised position in which the retainer frame is substantially out of the way of the opening of the canister. 
     A retainer is movably coupled to the canister so that it sits above the retainer frame in their respective lowered positions. The retainer has a retention structure extending from the bottom side of the retainer that inserts into the aperture of the retainer frame. The retention structure is configured to avoid blocking the aperture of the retainer frame in the lowered position. For example, the retention structure may be a circular rim extending from the retainer which has a retainer hole that aligns with the aperture of the retainer frame. The retention structure is configured to retain the upper edge of the trash bag between the retention structure and the ring portion of the retainer frame. In other words, the trash bag is compressed between the retention structure and the inner surface of the ring to retain the trash bag. 
     In a further aspect, the retainer may be pivotally attached to the canister for allowing the retainer frame to pivot between a lowered position in which the retention structure is inserted into the aperture with the retainer frame in its lowered position, and a raised position in which the retainer is substantially out of the way of the opening of the canister. 
     A removable lid is coupled to the canister and is movable from a closed position in which the lid covers the opening in the canister, and an open position in which the opening is accessible. The lid has a hole which aligns with the aperture of the retainer frame when the lid is closed and the retainer frame is in its lowered position. In another aspect, the lid may be pivotally attached to the canister for allowing the lid to pivot between a closed position in which the lid covers the opening, and an open position in which the opening is accessible. 
     A sliding door is coupled to the lid over the hole in the lid. The sliding door is slidable between a closed position in which the sliding door covers the hole in the lid and an open position in which the hole is accessible to insert an item of waste through the hole in the lid. 
     Use of the waste container is relatively straightforward. First, in order to install a trash bag (or reusable bag, as the case may be), the lid and retainer are placed in their raised positions out of the way of the opening in the canister. The trash bag is then placed through the aperture in the retainer frame with the upper edge of the trash bag folded over the top of the retainer frame and the lower part of the trash bag loosely within the storage space of the canister. The retainer is then lowered onto the retainer frame such that the retention structure inserts into the aperture of the retainer frame thereby retaining the trash bag. The lid is then moved into the closed position over the opening in the canister. In order to dispose of a waste product, the sliding door is slid to the open position. The waste product is inserted through the hole in the lid and then the waste product falls, or may be pushed, through the aperture in the retainer frame into the trash bag within the storage space. Finally, the sliding door is slid back to the closed position, thereby sealing the storage space. Once the trash bag is full, the lid, retainer and retainer frame are moved to their open positions out of the way of the opening in the canister. This releases the upper edge of the trash bag from between the retention device and the retainer frame. The trash bag can then be removed, tied closed, and disposed. The waste container is now ready for another trash bag. 
     In another aspect of the invention, an elastomeric seal may be provided between the lid and the canister, and another elastomeric seal between the sliding door and the lid, to provide a reasonably airtight seal within the storage space of the canister. This seal helps prevent odors from escaping the container. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, a biasing device is provided to bias the sliding door against the elastomeric seal between the sliding door and the lid. The biasing device may be configured to release when the sliding door is in the open position, and to engage when the door is in the closed position. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, the retainer frame, retainer and lid may be pivotally attached to the canister using a plurality of hinges. 
     Accordingly, an easy to use, and effective waste container is provided. Although it is particularly useful for sanitary waste such as diapers and used hygienic products, it can also be used with any other type of garbage. For instance, the container can be used as a diaper pail, a general garbage can, a dustbin, or the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a waste container according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the lid open and the retainer frame in the lowered position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a waste container according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the lid open and the retainer frame in the partially raised position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the waste container of  FIG. 1 , with the lid closed. 
         FIG. 4  is rear perspective view of the waste container of  FIG. 1  with the lid closed. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the lid assembly, the sliding door assembly, and the retainer of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlarged, perspective, top view of the lid assembly of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged, perspective, bottom view of the lid assembly of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged, perspective, top view of the sliding door of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged, perspective, bottom view of the sliding door of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  is an enlarged, perspective, top view of the retainer frame of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged, perspective, bottom view of the retainer frame of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, perspective view of the hinged support frame of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10A  is an enlarged, perspective, top view of the retainer of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10B  is an enlarged, perspective, bottom view of the retainer of the waste container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front, perspective, cutaway view of the waste container of  FIG. 1  with the lid open and a bag inserted into the waste container. 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective, cutaway view of the waste container of  FIG. 1  with the lid closed and a bag inserted into the waste container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a waste container  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The waste container  10  comprises a canister  12  having a generally cylindrical shaped sidewall  14 , a bottom  16  at its lower end, and an opening  18  at its upper end. While the canister  12  shown in the described embodiment has an elliptical or oval cylinder shape, i.e. an elliptical or oval cross-section, the canister  12  can be any suitable shape, such as a circular cylinder, polygonal cylinder (sometimes referred to as a prism shape), or even an irregular shape. The canister  12  defines an interior within the sidewall  14 . The canister may be formed from a metal material such as steel, aluminum, or other suitable metal, in order to minimize the absorption of odors. Alternatively, the canister may be formed of any suitable polymer material, such as plastic, or any suitable combination of metals and polymers. 
     A retainer frame  20  is pivotally attached to the canister  12  near the upper edge of the canister  12  by a first hinge  22 .  FIG. 1  shows the retainer frame  20  in the lowered position over the opening  18  of the canister  12 , while  FIG. 2  shows the retainer frame  20  being pivoted upward towards its raised position. The retainer frame  20  can be pivoted about the first hinge  22  to a vertical position, or slightly past the vertical position, in its fully raised position where the retainer frame  20  is substantially out of the way of the opening  18 . 
     A lid assembly  24  is also pivotally attached to the canister  12  by a second hinge  26 . The lid assembly  24  includes a lid body  28 , a retainer  30  and a sliding door assembly  32 .  FIGS. 1-2  show the lid assembly  24  in the open position in which the lid assembly is removed from the opening  18 .  FIGS. 3-4  show the lid assembly  24  in the closed position with the lid assembly  24  pivoted about the second hinge  26  to cover the opening  18 , thereby closing the storage space within the canister  12 . 
     As best shown in the rear perspective view of  FIG. 4 , a support block  34  is also attached to the canister  12  at the rear side of the canister  12 . The support block  34  may be attached to the canister  12  by one or more screws or other suitable fasteners. The lid assembly  24  attaches to the support block  34 , as well as the upper end of the canister  12  in order to provide further support for the lid assembly  24 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , an exploded view of the lid assembly  24 , sliding door assembly  32 , retainer  30 , and retainer frame  20  is shown. At the bottom of the exploded view is a seal  36  which is disposed between the bottom portion (the canister cap  40 ) of the hinged support frame  38  (see  FIG. 9 ) and the top edge of the canister  12 . The seal  36  may be elastomeric or other suitable material. The seal  36  may have a “U” shape to securely rest on the top edge of the canister  12 . The seal  36  also fits into a channel  42  of the canister cap  40  of the hinged support frame  38 . The canister cap  40 , as described in more detail below, attaches to the top edge of the canister  12 , with the top edge inserting into the channel  42  of the canister cap, thereby compressing the seal  36  between the top edge and the channel  42 . 
     Moving up the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , the retainer frame  20  is pivotally attached to the canister cap  40  using the first hinge  22 . The hinge  22  comprises a pair of connectors  44  on the retainer frame  20  which rotatably couple to a pair of rods  45  on the canister cap  40  such that the retainer frame  20  pivots about the first hinge  22 . 
     The elements above the retainer frame  20  in  FIG. 5  are all part of the lid assembly  24  and the sliding door assembly  32 . The main structural part of the lid assembly  24  is the cover  46  (also referred to as main body  28 ). The retainer  30  is affixed to the cover  46  by fastening the retainer  30  to the sliding door support  48  of the sliding door assembly  32 , such as using screws  78  (see  FIG. 6B ). This may be done using any suitable means, such as fasteners like screws, adhesive, sonic welding, etc. 
     Next, the sliding door  50  of the sliding door assembly  32  is above the retainer  30 . As described in more detail below, the sliding door  50  has four pins  82  which ride in channels  54  of the sliding door support  48 . Above the sliding door  50  is the lid rim  52 , which is the other main part of the hinged support frame  38 . 
     The lid assembly  24  will now be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  9 . The lid assembly  24  comprises a cover  46  which may be formed from a metal material such as steel, aluminum, or other suitable metal, in order to minimize the absorption of odors. Alternatively, the cover  46  may be formed of any suitable polymer material, such as plastic, or any suitable combination of metals and polymers. The cover  46  is attached to the lid rim  52  which is the top part of the hinged support frame  38  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The cover  46  has a hole  64  which has a keyhole type shape which accommodates the sliding door  50  and its handle  63 . A grommet  66  may be provided around the outline of the hole  64  to provide a lining around the edge of the hole  64 . The grommet  66  may have a raised ridge portion on the outer surface of the cover  46  around the perimeter of the hole  64 , and an interior portion lining the inside surface of the hole. The grommet  66  may also be used to secure a door seal  68  on the inside surface of the cover  46  around the perimeter of the hole  64 . The door seal  68  seals against the top surface  70  of the sliding door  50  (see  FIG. 7A ), at least when the sliding door  50  is in the closed position over the hole  64 . A lid locking device may be provided to lock the lid assembly  32  in the closed position, and which can be unlocked to allow the lid assembly  32  to be opened. 
     As better shown in  FIG. 9 , the hinged support frame  38  comprises the canister cap  40  and the lid rim  52 . The canister cap  40  is pivotally attached to the lid rim  52  by the second hinge  26 . The lid rim  52  is a frame having the same basic shape as the cross-section of the canister  12 , such that it fits firmly onto the canister cap  40 . The lid rim  52  has a plurality of clips  56  spaced around the perimeter of the lid rim  52  and a groove  58  extending entirely around the perimeter of the lid rim  52 . The lower edge of the cover  46  inserts into the groove  58  and the clips  56  clip onto a lip around the lower edge of the cover  46  to securely retain the cover  46  onto the lid rim  52 . The lid rim  52  has a small handle  65  for pivoting the lid assembly  24  between the open and closed positions. The canister cap  40  has a built in handle  67  (also shown in  FIGS. 4-5 ), which can be used to pick up and carry the entire waste container  10 . 
     The canister cap  40  is also a frame having the same basic shape as the cross-section of the canister  12 , such that it fits firmly onto the top edge of the canister  12 . The canister cap  40  has a plurality of clips  60  spaced around the perimeter of the canister cap  40  and a channel  42  extending entirely around the perimeter of the canister cap  40 . The upper edge of the canister  12  inserts into the channel  42  and the clips  60  clip onto a lip around the upper edge of the canister  12  to securely retain the canister cap  40  onto the canister  12 . The outer ring  72  of the lid rim  52  fits over the outer ring  74  of the canister cap  40 . A seal  76 , which may be an elastomeric seal, may be provided around the interface between the canister cap  40  and the lid rim  52  to seal this interface. The canister cap  40  also has a clip recess  75  for receiving a bag retainer clip/handle  100  of the retainer frame  20  when the retainer frame  20  is in its lowered position onto the canister cap  40 . 
     Turning back to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the sliding door assembly  32  comprises the sliding door  50 , and the sliding door support  48 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the sliding door support  48  is attached to the lid assembly  24  using a plurality of screws  79 . The sliding door support  48  has four opposing guide channels  54  which support the sliding door  50 , and guide the sliding movement of the sliding door  50 .  FIG. 6B  shows two of the channels  54  on one side of the hole  64 , namely an upper guide channel  54  and a lower guide channel  54 . There are two more channels  54 , another upper guide channel  54  and another lower guide channel  54 , symmetrically disposed on the other side of the hole  64 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The rear portion of the channels  54  are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the hole  64 . Then, there is a bend at the proximal end of each channel  54  leading to a front channel portion  55  which extends in a direction toward the plane of the hole  64 . As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” refer to positions relative to the front  3  and rear  5  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the waste container  10 , with proximal being closer to the front  3  and distal being further from the front or closer to the rear  5 , as the case may be. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  7 A and  7 B, the sliding door  50  has four guide pins  82 , in which one of the guide pins  82  is slidably received in each of the four guide channels  54 . Thus, the sliding door  50  slides back and forth between a closed position in which the door  50  is slid forward such that the sliding door  50  completely covers the hole  64 , and an open position in which the door  50  is slid rearward thereby making the hole  64  accessible. The movement of the sliding door  50  is determined by the path of the channels  54 . As the sliding door  50  is moved forward from the fully open position (distal position), the sliding door  50  moves in a first direction substantially parallel to the plane of the hole  64  until each of the guide pins  82  reaches the bend and the front channel portion  55 . At this point, the sliding door  50  continues to slide forward toward the closed position, but also moves upward, in a direction transverse to the first direction, toward the seal  68  and the plane of the hole  64 . This upward movement caused by the front channel portion  55  of the guide channels  54  causes the top surface  70  of the sliding door  50  to come into contact with, and press against the seal  68 . Going in the opposite direction from the open position, as the sliding door  50  is closed, the front channel portion  55  moves the sliding door  50  rearward and downward away from the seal  68 , such that the seal  68  does not unduly hinder the sliding movement of the sliding door  50 . The sliding door  50  may move downward such that the top surface  70  is completely out of contact with the seal  68 , or so that it bears against the seal  68  only lightly, so that it does not cause significant friction on the sliding of the door  50 . 
     In addition, the sliding door assembly  32  may have a biasing device  84  which biases the sliding door  50  against the seal  68 , and also assists in holding the door  50  in the closed position. The biasing device  84  may comprise a plurality of magnets  86  arranged around the perimeter of the hole  64 . The sliding door  50  may be made of a material attracted to magnets, such as steel, or the sliding door  50  may be provided with magnets around its perimeter wherein the location of the magnets matches the magnets  86  when the door  50  is in the closed position. The magnets  86  make for an excellent biasing device  84  because the force of the magnets only becomes effective as the sliding door  50  comes into close proximity to the magnets  86 , whereas when the door  50  is separated by even a small distance from the magnets, the magnets produce only a negligible force on the door  50 . 
     The sliding door assembly  32  also includes a locking device  88  for locking the sliding door  50  in the closed position. The locking device  88  has a rotating block  90  disposed on the inside of the cover  46 . The block  90  is rotatable from a locked position in which it blocks the sliding door  50  from moving from the closed position to the open position, to an unlocked position in which the block  90  does not block the sliding door  50  from moving from the closed position to the open position. The block  90  is coupled to a locking knob  92  disposed on the outside surface of the cover  46 . The knob  92  can be turned to rotate the block  90  between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, the locking device  88  has some degree of baby-proofing that makes it relatively difficult for a baby to open the sliding door  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the sliding door  50  has a generally four sided shape, with two opposing straight sides, and a curved front side and a curved rear side. The sliding door  50  has a substantially flat top surface  70  and four sidewalls extending downward from the top surface  70 . The straight sidewalls are provided with the guide pins  82 , two guide pins  82  on each straight sidewall. The guide pins  82  on a straight sidewall are vertically offset so that one guide pin  82  is received in the top guide channel  54 , and the other guide pin  82  is received in the bottom guide channel  54 . The handle  63  is attached to the top surface  70 , such that the handle  63  extends through the hole  64  to the outside of the cover  46 , with the top surface  70  and the remainder of the sliding door  50  inside of the cover  46 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the retainer frame  20  comprises a distal arm portion  94  connected to a proximal ring portion  96 . The distal end of the arm portion  94  has the two hinge connectors  44  which rotatably couple to the pair of rods  45  on the canister cap  40  such that the retainer frame  20  pivots about the first hinge  22  (see  FIGS. 1-4 ). The ring portion  96  has an outer ring  99  forming an aperture  98  within the ring  99 . The ring  99  and aperture  98  are shown having an oval shape with the major axis (larger diameter) being transverse to the axis from distal end to proximal end of the retainer frame  20 , and a minor axis (smaller diameter) along the axis from distal end to proximal end of the retainer frame  20 . It should be understood that the ring  99  and aperture  98  may have other suitable shapes, such as a circle, a polygon, or other shape. The ring  99  has a lead-in chamfer  101  which helps guide the retainer rim  104  of the retainer  30  into the aperture  98  when the retainer  30  is lowered onto the retainer frame  20 , as described in more detail below. The ring  99  and aperture  98  are sized to allow a bag, such as a disposable trash bag or a reusable bag, to be inserted through the aperture  98  and the upper edge of the bag to be folded over the top surface of the retainer frame  20  (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     The retainer frame  20  also has a bag retainer clip/handle  100  at the proximal end of the ring  99 . The bag retainer clip/handle  100  has a slot for receiving and holding a bag installed on the retainer frame  20  (see  FIG. 11 ) and a small handle for raising and lowering the retainer frame  20 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , the retainer frame  20  may have a plurality of ribs  102  for increasing the stiffness and strength of the retainer frame  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the retainer  30  has a main body  105  comprising a substantially flat plate having the same general shape as the cross-section of the canister  12 . The main body  105  has a retainer hole  103 . A circular retainer rim  104  extends from the bottom side of the main body  105  around the perimeter of the retainer hole  103 . The rim  104  has the same shape as the hole  98  in the retainer frame  20 . The outside perimeter of the rim  104  is slightly smaller than the inside perimeter of the hole  98  so that the rim  104  inserts into hole  98  when the retainer  30  and retainer frame  20  are in their respective lowered positions. As described above, the retainer  30  is attached to the cover  46  by fastening the retainer  30  to the sliding door support  48  of the sliding door assembly  32 .The screws  78  pass through the screw holes shown in the main body  105  of the retainer  30 . Thus, the retainer  30  is pivotable, along with the lid assembly  24 , between a raised position in which the retainer is out of the way of the opening  18  and a lowered position in which the retainer  30  is directly over the retainer frame  20  and the retention rim  104  is inserted into the aperture  98  of the retainer frame  20 . Accordingly, with the lid assembly  24 , retainer frame  30  and retainer  20  in their closed and/or lowered positions, the hole  64 , the aperture  98  and the retainer hole  103  are all aligned so that a waste product can be inserted into a bag installed on the retainer frame  20  and retainer  30  and positioned within the storage space, or directly into the storage space (in the case that no bag is used). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the manner of using the waste container  10  will be described. The waste container  10  is designed for use with a bag to line the canister  12 , such as a disposable trash bag or reusable bag, so this description will describe use with a bag. Obviously, the waste container  10  can be used without a bag, and such use is basically the same as described herein except that the waste products inserted into the container  10  will be stored directly in the canister  12 , and then removed directly from the canister  12 . 
     In order to install a trash bag (or reusable bag, as the case may be), the lid assembly  24  and retainer  30  are placed in their raised positions out of the way of the opening  18  in the canister  12 . The trash bag  110  is then placed through the aperture  98  in the retainer frame  20  with the upper edge  112  of the trash bag folded over the top of the retainer frame  20  and the lower part of the trash bag loosely within the storage space of the canister  12 . The trash bag  110  can be inserted by pushing the bottom of the bag through the aperture  98 , or by lifting the retainer frame  20  and inserting the upper edge  112  of the bag  110  up through the aperture  98 . A part of the upper edge of the trash bag  110  is inserted into the retainer clip/handle  100  to help secure the bag  110 . 
     The lid assembly  24  and retainer  30  are then lowered into the closed and lowered position, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 12 . In this position, the rim  104  of the retainer  30  inserts into the aperture  98  of the retainer frame  20  and compresses the upper edge  112  of the trash bag  110  between the rim  104  and the ring portion  99  of the retainer frame  20 , thereby retaining the trash bag  110 . In order to dispose of a waste product into the waste container  10 , the sliding door  50  is slid to the open position. The waste product is inserted through the hole  64  in the cover  46  and then the waste product falls, or is pushed, through the aperture  98  of the retainer frame  20  into the trash bag  110  within the storage space. The sliding door  50  is slid back to the closed position as shown in  FIG. 12 , thereby sealing the storage space. 
     When the trash bag  110  is full or otherwise needs to be disposed, the lid assembly  24  and the retainer  30  are pivoted to their open/raised positions out of the way of the opening  18  in the canister  12 . This releases the upper edge  112  of the trash bag  110  from between the rim  104  and the ring portion  99  of the retainer frame  20 . The retainer frame  20  is pivoted to its raised position out of the way of the opening  18 . The upper edge  112  of the bag  110  is pushed back through the aperture  98 . The trash bag  110  can then be removed, tied closed, and disposed. The waste container  10  is now ready for the installation of a new trash bag  110 . 
     Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the above discussion is not intended to limit the scope of these embodiments. While embodiments and variations of the many aspects of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, such disclosure is provided for purposes of explanation and illustration only. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the materials described may be substituted for other suitable materials, and the general shapes and relative sizes of the components of the invention may be modified. Accordingly, embodiments are intended to exemplify alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may fall within the scope of the claims. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims, and their equivalents.