Abstract:
A pail facilitating ease of use having a pivotable removal bin. A retention structure pivots about a single axis, the retention structure having two sections that create an overlapping pinch about an upper surface in a first position and a lower surface in a second position. A cutter is located proximal the upper end of the removal bin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of copending U.S. nonprovisional application Ser. No. 14/936,031, filed Nov. 9, 2015, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/077405 filed on Nov. 10, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Waste disposal devices are used to store soiled material. For example, a waste disposal pail may be used to store soiled diapers that have been removed from an infant. Once an associated load or capacity limit is reached, the soiled diapers need to be removed from the pail in order to accommodate future use. 
         [0003]    Emptying a substantially full pail can prove challenging. For example, if a bag formed of a film is used to contain soiled diapers within the pail a user may cut the film to separate a first portion of the film containing the soiled diapers from a second portion of the film that is then allocated to future use. It can be awkward or difficult for the user to cut the film at an appropriate location without being exposed to noxious scents/odors. In some instances, some of the soiled diapers may even fall out of the first portion of the film bag once the cut has been made, which can lead to unsanitary conditions. 
         [0004]    Additionally, conventional pails fail to maximize the load/capacity (e.g., number of soiled diapers) that can be accommodated by the pail, thereby resulting in the user having to empty the pail more frequently than she otherwise would have. Aside from this inconvenience, a user will frequently cut off slightly more film than is necessary to ensure that a bag of film filled with soiled diapers can be sealed (e.g., tied) at the end where the cut is made. Therefore, performing additional cuts of the film leads to inefficiencies (e.g., a greater depletion or use of film per diaper). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a waste disposal device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1  with a bin opened/rotated. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a lid of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1  including a fragrance pack inserted into the lid of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5-6  illustrate pushrods associated with the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      0   FIG. 7  illustrates a portion of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1  including a receptacle arranged about an axis. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  illustrates a second housing of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIGS. 9-10  illustrate gears associated with the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate a rotation of the gears of  FIGS. 9-10  about an axis for opening/closing the lid of  FIG. 3  and opening/closing the receptacle included in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  illustrates a bracket for retaining the receptacle included in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  illustrates sections of the receptacle included in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  illustrates a portion of a first housing of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 15A-15B  illustrate a bin of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  illustrates a bracket/handle  1600  associated with the bin of  FIGS. 15A-15B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  illustrates a button associated with the bracket/handle  1600  of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  illustrates a portion of a first housing of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  illustrates a cutter of h waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 20  illustrates elements of the waste disposal device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description and in the drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. A coupling between two or more entities may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection. An indirect connection may incorporate one or more intervening entities. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a waste disposal device  100  in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The waste disposal device  100  may be used to store soiled material, such as soiled diapers. 
         [0026]    The waste disposal device  100  includes a first housing  102 , a second housing  104 , and a bin  106 . 
         [0027]    The first housing  102  may be configured to balance a center of gravity of the waste disposal device  100  over a range of use of the waste disposal device. For example, the first housing  102  may be used to balance a center of gravity of the waste disposal device  100  over a range corresponding to: A) the waste disposal device  100  being empty of waste, and B) the waste disposal device  100 , more specifically, the storage portion of the pail, being full of waste. In one embodiment, the storage portion is the bin  106 . 
         [0028]    The second housing  104  may be configured to be coupled to the first housing  102  as shown in  FIG. 1 , such that the first housing  102  and the second housing  104  form a (portion of a) pail or tower. The second housing  104  may be configured to store a film (or other material) for containing waste within the waste disposal device  100 . An example of such a film is the DIAPER GENIE REFILL PACK produced by PLAYTEX, which may be packaged as one or more cartridges/rolls of film. Briefly referring to  FIG. 8 , the second housing  104  may include a ring  804  that may serve as a keying with respect to the roll of film. The roll of film may include a counterpart key to ensure that the roll of film is inserted in the second housing in a given orientation/direction. 
         [0029]    The bin  106  may be configured to be selectively coupled to the first housing  102 . In  FIG. 1 , the bin  106  is shown as being coupled to the first housing  102  and is oriented at an angle that is (substantially) equal to zero degrees relative to a longitudinal axis (LA)  118  of the waste disposal device  100 . In other words, in  FIG. 1 , the bin  106  is aligned with the LA  118 . 
         [0030]    The bin  106  may be configured to rotate about the LA  118  within a range of zero degrees and a threshold value. In some embodiments, this threshold value is between thirty degrees and forty degrees. For example, and referring to  FIG. 2 , the bin  106  is shown as having been rotated about the LA  118 , such that the angle is no longer zero as in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second housing  104  is decoupled from the first housing  102 . The second housing  104 , or a portion thereof, may be configured to tit within the first housing  102  (e.g., within a cavity formed by the first housing  102  and the bin  106 ) when the second housing  104  is decoupled from the first housing  102 . Fitting the second housing  104  within the first housing  102  may be useful for decreasing/minimizing the profile or form factor of the waste disposal device  100  when the waste disposal device  100  is disassembled, such as when the waste disposal device  100  is packaged or shipped in commerce. The first housing  102  may be configured to be less than twenty-one inches in height in association with the LA  118 . Such a constraint may adhere to one or more requirements (e.g., maximum shelf space/height at a retail location), while still allowing the waste disposal device  100  to increase/maximize the count or volume of soiled diapers that can be accommodated/stored therein. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , the second housing  104  may be associated with a lid  108 . The lid  108  may be configured to rotate about an axis  302  associated with the second housing  104 , such that the lid  108  is configured to open and close. In  FIG. 1 , the lid  108  is shown in a closed position. In  FIG. 4 , the lid  108  is shown in an open position. When the lid  108  is in the closed position (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), the lid  108  may be substantially flush with the (remainder of the) second housing  104 . When the lid  108  is in the closed positon, a user (e.g., a child) may be precluded access to the internal portion of the waste disposal device  100  via the second housing  104 . The closure of the lid  108  may help to contain odors/scents emanating from soiled diapers within the waste disposal device  100 . When the lid  108  is in the open position (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ), a user may gain access to the waste disposal device  100  via the second housing  104  in order to deposit waste (e.g., a soiled diaper) into the waste disposal device  100 . 
         [0033]    The lid  108  may include a receptacle  304  (e.g., a molded bracket) that is configured to receive a fragrance pack  406 . The receptacle  304  may include an opening  404  to allow for a removal or insertion of the fragrance pack  406 , thereby allowing a user to replace/replenish/recharge the fragrance pack  406 . 
         [0034]    The opening  404  may be substantially aligned with the axis of rotation  302  associated with the lid  108 , such that the fragrance pack  406  is retained in the receptacle  304  as the lid  108  rotates from the closed position to the open position or from the open position to the closed position. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the fragrance pack  406  may include an odor/scent absorbent. In some embodiments, the fragrance pack  406  may include a potpourri, a fragrance gel, baking soda, or any other material configured to emit a scent/odor, such as a scent/odor that may be pleasing to a user, or to absorb odors. 
         [0036]    In terms of the opening and closing of the lid  108 , an actuation mechanism may be used to control a state of the lid. For example, the actuation mechanism may be configured to open the lid  108  when the actuation mechanism is engaged. The actuation mechanism may be configured to close the lid  108  when the actuation mechanism is disengaged. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , in some embodiments the actuation mechanism may include a pedal  110 . The pedal  110  may be configured to be depressed by a user&#39;s foot in order to open the lid  108 . In the absence of a depression of the pedal  110 , the lid  108  may close or remain closed. The pedal  110  may be associated with the first housing  102 . 
         [0038]    The actuation mechanism may include one or more pushrods. For example, referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , the pedal  110  may be coupled to a first end  502   a  of a first pushrod  502 . A second end  502   b  of the first pushrod  502  may be coupled to a first end  602   a  of a second pushrod  602 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5, and 7 , the first pushrod  502  may be at least partially retained within a channel  702  formed within the lower housing  102 . Similarly, at least a portion of the pedal  110  may be retained within a channel  704  formed within the lower housing. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6 , a second end  602   b  of the second pushrod  602  may selectively couple to the lid  108 , such as when the pedal HO is depressed, causing the lid  108  to open. For example, and referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 , when the pedal  110  is depressed, the first pushrod  502  may be translated within the channel  702 . This translation of the first pushrod  502  may in turn cause a translation of the second pushrod  602 , such that the second end  602   b  of the second pushrod  602  protrudes through an opening  802  formed in the second housing  104  (see  FIG. 8 ) and contacts/engages one or more protrusions  306  formed in the lid  108  (see  FIG. 3 ), thereby causing the lid  108  to rotate open about the axis  302 . 
         [0040]    In the absence of a depression of the pedal  110 , the first pushrod  502  and the second pushrod  602  may be translated in such a way that the second end  602   b  of the second pushrod  602  disengages from the lid  108 /protrusions  306  causing the lid  108  to close. The dimensions of one or more of the lid  108 , the pedal  110 , the protrusions  306 , the first pushrod  502 , and the second pushrod  602  may be selected so as to bias the lid  108  to close when the pedal  110  is not depressed. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the second pushrod  602  may be manufactured to include one or more slots or openings, such as slots  604   a  and  604   b.  Referring to  FIGS. 6, and 9 , the slot  604   a  may be configured to receive or couple to a flange  904  of a first gear  900 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 10 , the slot  604   b  may be configured to receive or couple to a flange  1004  of a second gear  1000 . 
         [0042]    The first gear  900  and the second gear  1000  may be coupled to one another and centers  906  and  1006  of gears  900  and  1000 , respectively, may help to define an axis  706  (see  FIGS. 7 and 11A-11C ) of rotation of a mechanism configured to receive waste when the actuation mechanism is engaged. For example, the gears  900  and  1000  may be mounted about the axis  706  with respect to a receptacle  708  (formed of sections  708   a  and  708   b  as described further below). As described further below, the receptacle  708  may be used to receive waste (e.g., soiled diapers). The gears  900  and  1000  may serve as a first terminal/termination point of the axis  706 . Referring to  FIGS. 7, 11A-11C, and 12 , a bracket  710  may be configured to couple to: (A) the receptacle  708  and (B) (a portion of) the first housing  102 . Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 12 , a center  1206  of the bracket  710  may be used to receive an end of the receptacle  708 . The center  1206  may serve as a second terminal/termination point of the axis  706 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrates various states associated with a depression of the pedal  110 . For example,  FIG. 11A  may coincide with an absence of a depression of the pedal  110 .  FIG. 11B  may coincide with a partial depression of the pedal  110  and/or partial release of the pedal  110 .  FIG. 11C  may coincide with a full depression of the pedal  110 . 
         [0044]    In the absence of a depression of the pedal  110  ( FIG. 11A ), the receptacle  708  is in a closed state such that the receptacle  708  does not receive waste. Receptacle  708  has sections  708   a  and  708   b  having upper portions  709   a  and  709   b,  respectively, that are in an overlapped state such that any film within pail  100  is pinched about at least one point, and in preferred embodiments, at least at two points. The overlapped sections  708   a  and  708   b  assist in creating a tortuous path in the film such that it is more difficult for odorous air to travel through the film and out of section  708  and into the head space of pail when lid  108  is at least partially closed. In  FIG. 11A , the lid  108  is shown in a generally horizontal position coinciding with the lid  108  being closed. 
         [0045]    When the pedal  110  is partially depressed ( FIG. 11B ), the receptacle  708  is in a partially open state. In  FIG. 11B , the partial opening associated with the receptacle  708  may accommodate small amounts/volumes of waste (e.g., a wipe, tissue paper, etc.) but might not accommodate a full load of waste (e.g., a soiled diaper). Relative to  FIG. 11A , in  FIG. 11B  the lid  108  is shown in a partially opened state. 
         [0046]    When the pedal  110  is fully depressed ( FIG. 11C ), the receptacle  708  is in a (fully) open state. In this open state, the receptacle may accommodate a deposit of a full load of waste (e.g., a soiled diaper). In this state, the receptacle  708  has sections  708   a  and  708   b  with lower portions  707   a  and  707   b,  respectively, that are in an overlapped state such that any film within pail  100  is pinched about at least one point, and in preferred embodiments, at least at two points. The overlapped sections  707   a  and  707   b  assist in creating a tortuous path in the film such that it is more difficult for odorous air to travel through the film and out of section  708  and outward from the pail as the lid  108  is at least partially open. Relative to  FIG. 11B , in  FIG. 11C  the lid  108  is shown as being (fully) opened. 
         [0047]    After the receptacle  708  has received waste and/or when the pedal  110  is released, (a) the lid  108  begins to close and (b) the receptacle  708  goes from a (i) closed position where the waste is above the receptacle  708  and the receptacle  708  forms at least one pinch closure between the waste and the storage portion of the waste disposal device  100 , such as the bin  106 , to (ii) an open position wherein the waste passes the receptacle  708  and into the storage portion of the waste disposal device  100 , and then back to (iii) a close position where the waste is within the storage portion of the waste storage device  100  and the receptacle  708  forms at least one pinch closure. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, receptacle  708  has a spring (not shown) that assist in transitioning receptacle  708  from an open position to a closed position. The spring is optionally positioned on the inner portion of sections  708   a  and  708   b  and/or the outer portion of section  708   a  and  708   b.  In some embodiments, spring is attached to gears  900  and  1000  at flange portions  904  and  1004 . Preferably, spring is positioned in the center portion of sections  708   a  and  708   b  (i.e. other than upper portions  709   a  and  709   b,  and other than lower portions  707   a  and  707   b ). As receptacle  708  opens and/or closes, the spring acts quickly forces receptacle  708  into such opened or closed position. This is advantageous as it reduces the amount of the time receptacle  708  is in an intermediate state and thereby permitting odor to escape storage portion of pail  100  into the headspace (i.e. when the lid is at least partially closed) and/or out of the pail (i.e. when the lid is at least partially opened). 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , and with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 11A-11C , the receptacle may be formed from one or more sections/pieces, such as sections  708   a  and  708   b.  The sections  708   a  and  708   b  may be configured to rotate about the axis  706 . The dimensions of the sections  708   a  and  708   b  may be selected/configured such that when the actuation mechanism is disengaged (e.g., in the absence of a depression of the pedal  110 ) a first of the sections (e.g., the section  708 ) is at least partially nested within a second of the sections (e.g., the section  708   b ). Nesting a first of the sections  708   a,    708   b  within a second of the sections  708   a,    708   b  may help to retain (unpleasant) scents/odors within the waste disposal device  100  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) by causing any such scents/odors to have to traverse a tortuous path to potentially escape the waste disposal device  100 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , in some embodiments, the waste disposal device  100  may include at least one biasing member (not shown) coupled to, e.g., the second pushrod  602  and the first housing  102 . In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member may include one or more springs. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the second pushrod  602  may include one or more hooks or protrusions, such as protrusions  606   a  and  606   b.  As shown in  FIG. 14 , (a portion of) the first housing  102  may include a first protrusion  1406   a.  While not specifically shown in  FIG. 14 , the first housing  102  may include a second protrusion in proximity to the area identified by reference character  1406   b.  The protrusions  606   a,    606   b,    1406   a,  and  1406   b  may be used to receive a hoop or hook associated with a biasing member/spring. For example, the protrusion  606   a  may receive a first hoop or hook associated with a first spring and the protrusion  1406   a  may receive a second hoop or hook associated with the first spring. Similarly, the protrusion  606   b  may receive a first hoop or hook associated with a second spring and the protrusion  1406   b  may receive a second hoop or hook associated with the second spring. In this respect, the first spring and the second spring may be located on substantially opposite sides of the second pushrod  602 . 
         [0051]    The biasing member(s)/spring(s) may serve to stretch/expand when the actuation mechanism is engaged (e.g., the pedal  110  is depressed) to cause/enable the second pushrod  602  to cause the lid  108  to partially or fully open and to cause the receptacle  708  to partially or fully open (e.g.,  FIGS. 11B and 11C ). Conversely, when the actuation mechanism is disengaged (e.g., an absence of a depression of the pedal  110 ), the biasing member(s)/spring(s) may bias the second pushrod  602  to cause the lid  108  to close or remain closed and cause the receptacle to close or remain closed (e.g.,  FIG. 11A ). The biasing member(s)/spring(s) may also serve to retain the second pushrod  602  in-line with the first pushrod  502  substantially about the LA  118 —see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-7 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , and in view of  FIGS. 1, 9, and 10 , an embodiment is shown where the flanges  904  and  1004  are coupled to one another via a biasing member  2004 . The biasing member  2004  may be a spring. In the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , the pushrods  502  and  602  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 5-6 ), guides the opening of the receptacle sections  708   a  and  708   b,  such that the lengths of the pushrods  502  and  602  determine the degree or extent to which the sections  708   a  and  708   b  rotate. The biasing member  2004  controls the closing of the sections  708   a  and  708   b  and keeping the sections  708   a  and  708   b  closed at rest (e.g., in the absence of actuation of the actuation mechanism/pedal  110 ). 
         [0053]    As described above, and in reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the bin  106  may be configured to rotate about the LA  118  to facilitate servicing (e.g., emptying) the waste disposal device  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 15A-15B , the bin  106  may include one or more holes or orifices in the area/region identified by reference character  1502 . The holes/orifices  1502  may accommodate/seat a bracket/handle  1600  (see  FIG. 16 ) therein. 
         [0054]    The bracket/handle  1600 , or a center  1602  thereof, may in turn accommodate/seat a button  1700  (see  FIG. 17 ). 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 18 , the bracket/handle  1600  may include one or more sidewalls  1604  that may selectively engage one or more hooks/arms  1804  associated with (a portion of) the first housing  101 . For example, when the bin  106  is closed flush against the first housing  102  (as in  FIG. 1 ), the sidewall  1604  may be captured or retained by the hook/arm  1804  A depression of (a center  1706  of) the button  1700  may cause a flange/arm  1704  of the button  1700  to contact the hook/arm  1804 , which in turn may cause a separation/disengagement of the hook/arm  1804  from the sidewall  1604  allowing the bin  106  to rotate about the LA  118  towards the position of the bin  106  as seen in  FIG. 2 . A user may pull on the bracket/handle  1600  in conjunction with depressing the (center  1706  of the) button  1700  to cause the bin  106  to rotate/open. To close the bin  106 , the user may apply a minimal force to the bin  106  or bracket/handle  1600  until the sidewall  1604  reengages the hook/arm  1804 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 15B , the bin  106  may include one or more hooks/flanges  1554  that may selectively engage or abut a portion of the first housing  102 . The hooks/flanges  1554  may limit a range of rotation of the bin  106  about the LA  118  to a threshold amount, such that the bin  106  may come to rest in terms of its rotation once this threshold is reached. Limiting the range of rotation may be useful to prevent the bin  106  from falling on a user (e.g., the user&#39;s leg or foot) as the user is opening the bin  106 . Thereafter, the user may pull up on the bin  106  to (completely) decouple the bin  106  from the first housing  102 . A user may (completely) decouple the bin  106  from the first housing  102  in order to use the bin  106  as a sort of carrying-tray for transporting or discarding of waste. 
         [0057]    As described above, a film (or other material) may be used to store waste within the waste disposal device  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 19 , a cutter  712  may be associated with the first housing  102 . The cutter  712  may include one or more blades/razors  1912  that may be used to cut the film in order to generate (A) a first portion of the film (or a bag of the film) that contains waste to be removed from the waste disposal device  100  and (B) a second portion of the film that may be allocated for future waste collection in connection with the use of the waste disposal device  100 . As shown via  FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 19 , the cutter  712  may be located in proximity to a top side/end of the bin  106 , such that it may be relatively easy for a user to insert film to be cut into the cutter  712  even when the bin  106  is substantially full of waste. 
         [0058]    While some of the examples described herein related to waste (e.g., soiled diaper) storage and disposal, one skilled in the art would appreciate that aspects of the disclosure may be used to store materials other than waste. 
         [0059]    Technical effects and benefits of this disclosure include an ability to service/empty a waste disposal device by causing a bin associated with the waste disposal device to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the waste disposal device. In this manner, and unlike some other waste disposal devices, the waste disposal device may remain flush against a wall (or other object) when such servicing/emptying takes place. The waste disposal device may include a receptacle configured to receive waste for deposit/submission into the waste disposal device, where the receptacle is arranged as one or more sections that are configured to rotate about a common axis. Such an arrangement for the receptacle may reduce a number of mechanical components/devices that are used, thereby simplifying the fabrication/manufacture of the waste disposal device. An overlapping or nesting of the sections of the receptacle may be used to reduce/minimize an escape/leakage of odors/scents from the waste disposal device. 
         [0060]    Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps described in conjunction with the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. One or more features described in connection with a first embodiment may be combined with one or more features of one or more additional embodiments.