Patent Publication Number: US-2011056953-A1

Title: Refill Film for Waste Disposal Apparatus, Refill Film Accommodating Cassette, and Portable Waste Disposal Bag

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to waste disposal apparatuses for disposing of waste materials such as soiled diapers, and more particularly to parts that are preferable for replacement, refill, and portable applications. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Since waste materials such as soiled diapers give off unpleasant odors, it is desired to dispose of such waste materials at home hygienically and efficiently. A waste storage device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-96642 of unexamined applications is known as a waste disposal apparatus for implementing such a desire. This waste storage device includes a main body container, and an annular cassette attached to the upper end of the main body container. Tubing is folded and accommodated in the annular cassette. The user pulls out the tubing from the annular cassette, and places a waste material in the tubing, whereby the waste material is stored in the main body container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     If the tubing in the cassette runs out, the user typically replaces this used cassette in the waste storage device with a new (refill) cassette having tubing. Note that since some users are not familiar with the replacing operation, the (refill) cassettes are stereotyped. 
     That is, cassettes are shaped so as to be easily attached and detached to and from the main body container. Moreover, in cassette manufacturing plants, tubing is accommodated in the cassettes in a preferable manner so that the tubing can be easily pulled out. The cassettes are also shaped so that the user can easily pull out the tubing. The users as end users purchase tubing accommodating cassettes that are available on the market, and replace used cassettes with new ones. 
     However, such a conventional waste storage device has the following problems. Although being made of a durable resin material, the cassettes themselves are used only one time and thrown away. Nowadays, efforts are increasingly made to reduce waste, and such disposal of the cassettes is not desirable in terms of waste reduction. Moreover, the user needs to purchase a new cassette every time the tubing runs out. Thus, there is room for improvement in terms of the cost. 
     In view of the above problems, the present invention is based on a novel idea that is totally different from the related art in which the waste storage device is supplied with refill tubing by replacing a cassette. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of eliminating the need to dispose of and purchase a cassette upon every replacement. 
     In order to achieve the above object, a refill film for a waste disposal apparatus according to the present invention is a refill film that is attached to a waste disposal apparatus for containing a waste material in a tubular film and disposing of the waste material. The refill film includes: a film annular body that is formed by a long tubular film folded so as to be compressed in an extending direction thereof; and a wrapping material that is made of a material capable of being cut, and wraps the film annular body while keeping a central hole of the film annular body open, and maintains the compressed state. 
     According to the present invention, the film annular body is wrapped by the wrapping material rather than by a cassette. Thus, the user of the waste disposal apparatus need only purchase the refill film, and does not have to purchase a cassette upon every time the tubular film runs out. This can eliminate the need to dispose of and purchase a cassette many times as in the related art. 
     Moreover, since the central hole of the film annular body is kept open, the user of the waste disposal apparatus can easily place the refill film in the waste disposal apparatus. 
     The wrapping material is not specifically limited as long as it is made of a material that can be torn with a force of a user&#39;s hand. Possible shapes of the wrapping material include, e.g., a sheet, a string, a belt, and a block that can be easily broken with hand. Preferably, the wrapping material has a cut line for tearing off the wrapping material. According to this embodiment, the user can easily tear off the wrapping material after placing the refill film in the waste disposal apparatus. 
     The present invention is not limited to one embodiment, but the wrapping material may cover an outer peripheral surface, one axial end, and the other axial end of the film annular body, and exposes an inner peripheral surface of the film annular body. According to this embodiment, the wrapping material can compress the film annular body from both axial ends thereof, and the film annular body can be held in a compact shape. Thus, the refill film can be reduced in size. 
     The wrapping material is made of paper, a fiber material, or a resin film. According to this embodiment, the user can easily tear off the wrapping material after placing the refill film in the waste disposal apparatus. 
     As another embodiment, the wrapping material is a plurality of bands that are wound around the film annular body at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction. This embodiment can further simplify the wrapping material, which is more advantageous in terms of cost. 
     The refill film of the present invention may be directly placed in the waste disposal apparatus. Alternatively, the refill film may be placed in a reusable refill film accommodating cassette, and the refill film accommodating cassette may be placed in the waste disposal apparatus. 
     Such a refill film accommodating cassette according to the present invention is an accommodating cassette that is attached to a waste disposal apparatus for containing a waste material in a tubular film to dispose of the waste material, and accommodates the refill film. The refill film accommodating cassette includes: a cylindrical portion that is inserted in the central hole of the film annular body; and an outward flange that is formed at one axial end of the cylindrical portion to prevent the film annular body from coming off from the refill film accommodating cassette. 
     According to the present invention, the refill film accommodating cassette can be repeatedly used, which eliminates the need to dispose of and purchase a cassette many times as in the related art. 
     As a preferred embodiment, the refill film accommodating cassette further includes an annular holding member that is detachably coupled to the other axial end of the cylindrical portion to prevent the film annular body from coming off from the refill film accommodating cassette. The tubular film that is pulled out from the film annular body is inserted through the central hole of the cylindrical portion beyond the holding member. According to this embodiment, the film annular body is immovably held from both axial sides. This can eliminate the possibility that the film annular body may come off from the refill film accommodating cassette. 
     The refill film accommodating cassette of the present invention can be placed not only in a waste disposal apparatus that is stationarily placed in a room, but also in a portable waste disposal bag that can be carried outside. 
     A portable waste disposal bag according to the present invention is a portable bag includes a tubular body that is made of a bendable material. The tubular body surrounds an outer periphery of the refill film accommodating cassette, and an outer surface of the tubular film that is pulled out from the refill film accommodating cassette and passes through a central hole of the film accommodating cassette. One longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the tubular body are capable of being opened and closed, the refill film accommodating cassette is detachably attached to the one longitudinal end, and the tubular body is long enough that the other longitudinal end can be twisted by 360° or more with respect to the one longitudinal end. 
     According to the present invention, the user can dispose of waste materials hygienically and efficiently even at outdoor locations as at indoor locations. 
     Preferably, the portable waste disposal bag further includes a fastening device for restricting the length of the tubular body. According to this embodiment, the waste disposal bag can be adjusted to any length, which increases the convenience of carrying the waste disposal bag. 
     As described above, the refill film for the waste disposal apparatus according to the present invention includes: a film annular body that is formed by a long tubular film folded so as to be compressed in an extending direction thereof; and a wrapping material that is made of a material capable of being cut, and wraps the film annular body while keeping a central hole of the film annular body open, and maintains the compressed state. Thus, the user can repeatedly use the refill film for the waste disposal apparatus. This eliminates the need to dispose of and purchase a cassette, whereby waste reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal apparatus to which a refill film for the waste disposal apparatus and a refill film accommodating cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention are attached. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross section of the waste disposal apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross section of the waste disposal apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the accommodating cassette and a film annular body of the waste disposal apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the accommodating cassette of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the refill film of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross section of the refill film of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the accommodating cassette of  FIG. 5  having the refill film of  FIG. 6  placed thereon. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the accommodating cassette of  FIG. 8  with a wrapping sheet removed from the refill film. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a refill film according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross section of the refill film of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal bag according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating how an outer ring is attached to a refill film accommodating cassette. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating how a refill film and the refill film accommodating cassette are attached to the waste disposal bag of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the waste disposal bag of the embodiment when in use. 
         FIG. 16  is a side cross section illustrating how the film and waste materials are pulled out of the waste disposal bag of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the waste disposal bag of the embodiment compressed to a compact size. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal apparatus to which a refill film for the waste disposal apparatus and a refill film accommodating cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention are attached. In  FIG. 1 , a film annular body and the refill film accommodating cassette are shown as being removed from the waste disposal apparatus.  FIGS. 2 and 3  are side cross sections of the waste disposal apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows the waste disposal apparatus when a sealing door is closed, and  FIG. 3  shows the waste disposal apparatus when the sealing door is open. 
     A waste disposal apparatus  11  includes: a waste inlet  16  for inserting a waste material D such as a soiled diaper therethrough; a tubular film  15  extending downward from the waste inlet  16  and having its lower end closed by a knot  26 ; a waste accommodating main body  13  for receiving the waste material D inserted through the waste inlet  16 , together with the film  15 ; and a lid  23  that covers the waste inlet  16  from above. The lid  23  pivots and rises about a lid hinge  30  as a fulcrum, and opens the waste inlet  16 . 
     The long tubular film  15  is attached to the waste inlet  16 . The tubular film  15  extends downward so as to cover the opening of the waste inlet  16 . Note that the tubular film  15  is accommodated in the waste inlet  16  so that the film  15  can be pulled out as described later. The waste inlet  16  is formed by the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion  27 . A film annular body  15   k  is coaxially attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion  27 . The film annular body  15   k  is formed by the tubular film  15  folded so as to be compressed in the extending direction thereof. The cylindrical portion  27 , a film holding flange  29  provided at one axial end of the cylindrical portion  27 , and an outward flange  27   f  provided at the other axial end of the cylindrical portion  27  are components of the accommodating cassette  14 . 
     The accommodating cassette  14  that accommodates the film annular body  15   k  is used to supply the tubular film  15  thereon. As shown by arrow in  FIG. 1 , the accommodating cassette  14  is detachably fitted on a ring-shaped attachment portion  19   r  formed in an upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 . The attachment portion  19   r  contacts the outward flange  27   f  of the accommodating cassette  14  to support the accommodating cassette  14  from beneath. Since the attachment portion  19   r  is tilted downward toward the front face of the waste disposal apparatus  11 , the waste inlet  16  is also tilted downward toward the front face of the waste disposal apparatus  11  and faces upward. The attachment portion  19   r  is thus tilted so that the front side thereof is located lower than the back side thereof, and a sealing door receiving portion  35  is positioned immediately below the front, lower region of the attachment portion  19   r.    
     The waste accommodating main body  13  is a hollow container for storing waste materials D that are placed in the tubular film  15 , and is divided into a lower part  17  and the upper part  19 . The lower part  17  of the waste accommodating main body  13  has a bottom  17   b  at its lower end, and has an opening  17   c  at its upper end. The upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13  covers, at its lower end, the opening  17   c  located at the upper end of the lower part  17 , and has the waste inlet  16  at its upper end. 
     The upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13  is pivotally attached to the lower part  17  thereof by a main body hinge  31 . The main body hinge  31  is positioned on the back face of the waste accommodating main body  13 . The opening  17   c  can be opened by pivoting the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13  backward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an open/close sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  are attached inside the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 . The sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  nip the tubular film  15  at a position between the waste inlet  16  and the stored waste material D to seal a space below the nipped portion of the tubular film  15  from a space above the nipped portion of the tubular film  15 . The sealing door  33  advances and withdraws as it is guided by a guide member  37  provided inside the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 . The sealing door  33  is biased toward the sealing door receiving portion  35  by a spring  39 , and in a normal state, is closed in an engaged state with the sealing door receiving portion  35 . 
     When disposing of a waste material D, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the user of the waste disposal apparatus  11  first opens the lid  23  to place the waste material D into the tubular film  15  from the waste inlet  16 . Then, the user inserts his/her hand into the waste inlet  16 , and pushes the tubular film  15  down together with the waste material D to open the sealing door  33 . The waste material D thus pushed down, together with the tubular film  15 , passes between the opened sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 . The waste material D then drops downward along the tubular film  15 , and is stored in the waste accommodating main body  13 . As soon as the user drops the waste material D to a position below the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 , and removes his/her hand from the waste inlet  16 , the sealing door  33  closes to nip the tubular film  15 . Since a new length of the tubular film  15  is pulled out from the waste inlet  16 , the waste inlet  16  is always supplied with a new length of the tubular film  15 . 
     By disposal of waste materials such as soiled diapers into the tubular film  15 , the waste materials are accumulated in the tubular film  15 , and upon each disposal, the tubular film  15  is pulled out from the outer diameter side of the cylindrical portion  27  beyond the film holding flange  29  so as to extend downward through the waste inlet  16 . Thus, the user can successively dispose of waste materials into the waste accumulating main body  13 . 
     The tubular film  15  is a consumable item. Thus, if the tubular film  15  attached to the waste inlet  16  runs out, the user places a refill film accommodating portion  15   k  on the outer periphery of the waste inlet  16 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the accommodating cassette  14  and the film annular body  15   k .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the accommodating cassette of the embodiment. The accommodating cassette  14 , which forms the waste inlet  16  and accommodates the film annular body  15   k , is detachably attached to the waste disposal apparatus  11 . Specifically, the accommodating cassette  14  is detachably attached to the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 , and forms the outline of the waste inlet  16 . The accommodating cassette  14  is made of a resin that is not easily deformed, and has the cylindrical portion  27 , the outward flange  27   f , and the film holding flange  29 . The cylindrical portion  27  is inserted through a central hole of the film annular body  15   k  so that the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion  27  contacts the film annular body  15   k . The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion  27  forms the waste inlet  16 . The outward flange  27   f  is integrally connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion  27 . The outer flange  29  is fitted and fixed to the upper end of the cylindrical portion  27 . The outer diameter of the film holding flange  29  is smaller than that of the film annular body  15   k . This allows the tubular film  15  to be easily pulled out beyond the film holding flange  29 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a refill film  18  that is attached to the accommodating cassette  14 .  FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross section of the refill film  18  of  FIG. 6 . The refill film  18  includes the film annular body  15   k , which is formed by the long tubular film  15  folded so as to be compressed in the extending direction thereof, and a wrapping sheet  21 , which wraps the film annular body  15   k  with its central hole  15   h  open to maintain the shape of the film annular body  15   k.    
     The film annular body  15   k  is formed by accordion folding the long tubular film  15 , and has a cylindrical shape having a thickness in the radial direction. 
     The wrapping sheet  21  is a wrapping material made of thick paper, and has a cylindrical portion  21   a  that covers the outer peripheral surface of the film annular body  15   k , one annular end  21   b  that covers one axial end of the film annular body  15   k , and the other annular end  21   c  that covers the other axial end of the film annular body  15   k . Thus, an inner peripheral surface  15   n  of the film annular body  15   k  is exposed. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the refill film accommodating cassette  14  of the present embodiment having the refill film  18  of the present embodiment placed thereon.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the refill film accommodating cassette  14  of  FIG. 8  with the wrapping sheet  21  removed from the refill film  18 . 
     The axial dimension of the refill film  18  is smaller than that of the accommodating cassette  14 , that is, smaller than the distance from the film holding flange  29  to the outward flange  27   f . Thus, the user can easily place the refill film  18  on the accommodating cassette  14 . 
     The wrapping sheet  21  of the refill film  18  has cut lines  21   k  extending from the one end  21   b  to the other end  21   c  along the cylindrical portion  21   a . The cut lines  21   k  are perforated lines, and are provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the wrapping sheet  21 . After placing the refill film  18  on the accommodating cassette  14 , the user tears off the wrapping sheet  21  along the cut lines  21   k , whereby the film annular body  15   k  is exposed as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The film annular body  15   k  is accommodated between the film holding flange  29  and the outward flange  27   f . Note that when removing the wrapping sheet  21 , the film annular body  15   k  may slightly expand axially. However, even if the wrapping sheet  21  is removed, the film annular body  15   k  is prevented from coming off axially from the accommodating cassette  14  by the film holding flange  29  and the outward flange  27   f , and the compressed state of the film annular body  15   k  is maintained. 
     The operation of placing the film annular body  15   k  on the accommodating cassette  14  is completed in this manner. The accommodating cassette  14  and the film annular body  15   k  are attached to the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . Every time the film annular body  15   k  runs out, the accommodating cassette  14  is removed from the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 , and a new refill film  18  is placed on the removed accommodating cassette  14 . In this manner, the accommodating cassette  14  is repeatedly attached to the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 . 
     Note that in order to more efficiently place the refill film  18  in the waste disposal apparatus  11 , the cylindrical portion  27  and the outward flange  27   f  are kept attached to the attachment portion  19   r  of the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 , so that only the film holding flange  29  can be attached and detached to and from the waste disposal apparatus  11 . When placing the refill film  18 , the user first opens the lid  23 , and then removes the film holding flange  29  to insert the refill film  18  onto the cylindrical portion  27  fixed to the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 . Then, the user attaches and fixes the film holding flange  29  to the cylindrical portion  27 , and tears off the wrapping sheet  21 . In this manner, the refill film  18  can be directly placed in the waste disposal apparatus  11 . 
     The refill film  18  of the present embodiment includes the film annular body  15   k  that is formed by the long tubular film  15  folded so as to be compressed in the extending direction thereof, and the wrapping sheet  21  that is made of thick paper and wraps the film annular body  15   k  with the central hole  15   h  open to maintain the compressed state of the film annular body  15   k . Thus, the user can repeatedly use the accommodating cassette  14  for the waste disposal apparatus  11 . This eliminates the need to dispose of the accommodating cassette  14  and to purchase a new accommodating cassette  14 , whereby waste reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. 
     Although not shown in the figures, as a modification, the cylindrical portion  27  and the outward flange  27   f  may be fixedly attached to the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 , and only the film holding flange  29  may be detachable from the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13 . According to this modification, the user need only place the refill film  18  in the upper part  19  of the waste accommodating main body  13  and tear off the wrapping sheet  21  each time the tubular film  15  runs out. Thus, waste reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. 
     Note that the wrapping sheet  21  may be made of paper other than the thick paper, or may be made of fibers such as cloth, or a resin film. 
     The accommodating cassette  14  of the present embodiment is used to accommodate the refill film  18 . The accommodating cassette  14  includes the cylindrical portion  27  that is inserted into the central hole  15   h  of the film annular body  15   k , the outward flange  27   f  that is formed at one axial end of the cylindrical portion  27  to prevent the film annular body  15   k  from coming off from the accommodating cassette  14 , and the annular film holding flange  29  that is detachably coupled to the other axial end of the cylindrical portion  27  to prevent the film annular body  15   k  from coming off from the accommodating cassette  14 . The tubular film  15 , which is pulled out from the film annular body  15   k , is inserted through the waste inlet  16  as a central hole of the cylindrical portion  27  beyond the film holding flange  29 . According to the present embodiment, the tubular film  15  can be pulled out while maintaining the compressed state of the film annular body  15   k.    
     Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a refill film  18  according to this embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross section of the refill film  18  of this embodiment. In this embodiment, structures common to those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference characters, and description thereof will be omitted. Structures different from those of the above embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, bands  22  are wound around the film annular body  15   k  at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The bands  22  are wrapping sheets for maintaining the compressed state of the film annular body  15   k . The bands  22  have cut lines  21   k  as perforated lines. 
     This embodiment simplifies wrapping of the refill film  18 , whereby further cost reduction can be achieved. Moreover, the user needs to prepare only a new refill film  18  when the tubular film  15  runs out, namely when the film annular body  15   k  in the accommodating cassette  14  runs out. Thus, the accommodating cassette  14  can be repeatedly used for the waste disposal apparatus  11 . This eliminates the need to dispose of the accommodating cassette  14  and to purchase a new accommodating cassette  14 , whereby waste reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. 
     The waste disposal apparatus  11  of the present embodiment includes the film accommodating cassette  14 , which has the cylindrical portion  27  that forms the waste inlet  16  at its upper end, and which accommodates the film annular body  15   k  that is compressed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the cylindrical portion  27 . The waste disposal apparatus  11  further includes: the waste accommodating main body  13 , which has the film accommodating cassette  14  positioned in its upper region, and which receives a waste material, which is placed into the tubular film  15  pulled out into the waste insert  16 , together with the tubular film  15 ; and an open/close sealing mechanism that nips the tubular film  15  at a position between the film accommodating cassette  14  and the lower part  17  of the waste accommodating main body  13  to seal a space below the nipped portion of the tubular film  15  from a space above the nipped portion of the tubular film  15 . 
     This sealing mechanism has the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 . When the sealing door  33  is closed and engages with the sealing door receiving portion  35  to nip the tubular film  15 , the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  laterally bend the nipped portion of the tubular film  15 . More specifically, each of the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  has a convexo-concave shape that laterally bends an imaginary straight line that connects upper and lower ends of the nipped portion of the tubular film  15 . 
     According to this embodiment, sealing the waste material D placed and stored in the tubular film  15  from the waste inlet  16  is implemented by nipping of the tubular film  15  by the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 . Moreover, since the nipped portion of the tubular film  15  is not bent linearly but laterally with respect to the imaginary straight line. Thus, the tubular film  15  is subjected to a high tension at a bent portion. Such a tension narrows a path in the tubular film  15  which causes leakage of odors, whereby a capability of blocking passing of odors, namely an odor-sealing capability, can be increased. 
     In the present embodiment, each of the contact surfaces of the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 , which are formed when the sealing door  33  is closed and engages with the sealing door receiving portion  35 , has two or more flat surfaces having different normals. Thus, the bent portion is reliably formed in the nipping portion, and the odor-sealing capability can further be increased. 
     In the present embodiment, when the sealing door  33  moves in the closing direction, the nipping portion of the sealing door  33  moves toward the nipping portion of the sealing door receiving portion  35 . When the sealing door  33  moves in the opening direction, the nipping portion of the sealing door  33  moves away from the nipping portion of the sealing door receiving portion  35 . In a cut-away view of the nipping portions of the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  along a vertical plane including the opening and closing directions, at least two surfaces of each of the contact surfaces of the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  cross each other to form an L-shaped corner. Thus, when nipped by the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 , the tubular film  15  is bent in an L shape at least at one position. The tubular film  15  is pulled downward at the L-shaped corner by the weight of the waste material D. That is, the tubular film  15  is subjected to a tension at the L-shaped corner. This narrows a path in the tubular film  15 , whereby the odor-sealing capability can further be increased. Such L shapes can be easily formed when mass producing the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35  by a die molding method. Thus, the present invention is advantageous in terms of mass production of products. 
     In the present embodiment, the waste disposal apparatus  11  further includes the spring  39  for biasing the sealing door  33  in the closing direction. This increases the force for nipping the tubular film  15 , whereby the odor sealing capability can further be increased. The spring  39  may be in other form as long as it is an elastic member. 
     In the present embodiment, in the waste disposal apparatus  11  placed on the floor in a room, the cylindrical portion  27  is supported by the waste accommodating main body  13  so that the axis of the cylindrical portion  27  crosses a vertical plane at a predetermined angle. This makes it easy for mothers to insert the waste material D through the waste inlet  16  without standing up after changing diapers while sitting on the floor. 
     In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion  27  is supported in a tilted state by the waste accommodating main body  13  so that the axis of the cylindrical portion  27  crosses the vertical plane at the predetermined angle and the front side of the cylindrical portion  27  is located lower than the rear side thereof. Moreover, the contact surfaces of the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 , which are formed by engagement between the sealing door  33  and the sealing door receiving portion  35 , are positioned near the lower region of the lower surface of the tilted outward flange  27   f . Thus, the tubular film  15 , which is accommodated so as to be able to be pulled out from the waste inlet  16 , passes vertically downward through the cylindrical portion  27  supported in a tilted state, and is accommodated together with the waste material D in the waste accommodating main body  13 . The upper side of the tubular film  15  is pulled vertically downward by the weight of the waste material D placed and stored in the lower part of the tubular film  15  due to the gravity. 
     The tubular film  15  is drawn forward by this gravity and the tilt of the cylindrical portion  27 . The sealing mechanism is positioned so that the tubular film  15  is nipped at a position near the lower region of the lower surface of the outward flange  27   f  to which the tubular film  15  is naturally drawn. This ensures nipping of the tubular film  15  by the sealing mechanism, whereby odor-sealing efficiency can be increased. 
     In the present embodiment, the sealing door  33  is supported at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and advances and withdraws to and from the sealing door receiving portion  35 . Thus, mothers can easily push the sealing door  33  open without standing up after changing diapers in a sitting posture. This facilitates the operation of placing the waste material D into the waste disposal apparatus  11 . 
     The accommodating cassette  14  of the present invention having the refill film  18  placed thereon is attached not only to the waste disposal apparatus  11  placed on the floor in a room, but also to a portable waste disposal bag that can be carried outside. 
       FIG. 12  is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal bag according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 13-14  are diagrams illustrating how to attach an accommodating cassette to the waste disposal bag of the embodiment.  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the waste disposal bag of the embodiment when in use.  FIG. 16  is a side cross section illustrating how a film and waste materials are pulled out of the waste disposal bag of the embodiment.  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the waste disposal bag of the embodiment compressed to a compact size. 
     A waste disposal bag  51  includes a tubular body which is made of bendable cloth such as chemical fibers. The tubular body is main body of the waste disposal bag  51  and the tubular body is formed in a tubular shape. The bendable cloth is a material that blocks passing of odors. Alternatively, this cloth is coated with a material that blocks passing of odors. Lids  52 ,  53  are provided at both ends of the waste disposal bag  51  to seal the space inside the waste disposal bag  51  from the outside. Zippers  54 ,  55  are provided at both ends of the waste disposal bag  51 . Both ends of the waste disposal bag can be opened by opening the zippers  54 ,  55  and lifting the lids  52 ,  53 . The zipper  54  at one end is provided to open a waste inlet by lifting the lid  52 . A handle  56  is sewn on the surface of the lid  52  so that the user can conveniently carry the waste disposal bag  51 . A fixing belt  58  is wound around the one end of the waste disposal bag  51 . Two fastening members  60 , which are rectangular rings, are attached to the circumferential fixing belt  58  at intervals in the circumferential direction. 
     The inner peripheral surface of the portion of the waste disposal bag  51 , to which the fixing belt  58  is attached, surrounds the film annular body  15   k  and the accommodating cassette  14  which are described above with reference to  FIG. 9 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 13 , an end of the tubular film  15  is first pulled out from the film annular body  15   k . This end of the tubular film  15  passes beyond the film holding flange  29  through the central hole of the cylindrical portion  27  (the waste inlet  16 ), and a knot  26  is tied at this end. Then, as shown by arrow in  FIG. 13 , an outer ring  24  is placed on the outer periphery of the film annular body  15   k  so that one axial end  25  of the outer ring  24  is fitted on the outer edge of the outward flange  27   f . The outer ring  24  is a cylindrical body having openings at both ends, and has an inner diameter dimension large enough to surround the outer periphery of the film annular body  15   k . The outer ring  24  is formed by a durable, strong resin. Circumferential ribs  28  are formed in two parallel rows in the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring  24 . The distance between the two rows of the ribs  28  is the same as the width dimension of the fixing belt  58 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the zipper  54  is opened, and the lid  52  is lifted open. In this state, the accommodating cassette  14 , which has a refill film placed thereon and is fitted in the outer ring  24 , is inserted together with the tubular film  15  and the knot  26 , which have passed through the central hole (the waste inlet  16 ), in the direction shown by arrow, and is thus attached to the waste disposal bag  51 . Thereafter, the fixing belt  58  is fastened to firmly attach the film annular body  15   k  and the accommodating cassette  14  to one end of the waste disposal bag  51 . The fixing belt  58  is latched between the two parallel rows of the ribs  28 ,  28  via the fabric of the waste disposal bag  51 , and is wound around the outer periphery of the outer ring  24 . Thus, the waste disposal bag  51  surrounds the outer peripheries of the film annular body  15   k  and the accommodating cassette  14 , and the outer wall of the tubular film  15  that is pulled out from the accommodating cassette  14  and passes through the central hole of the accommodating cassette  14  (the waste inlet  16 ). 
     Note that as another embodiment, the outer ring  24  may be omitted, and the outward flange  27   f  may be detachably and directly attached and fixed to the inner wall of the waste accommodating bag  51 . 
     Alternatively, as still another embodiment, the outer ring  24  may be omitted, and only one end  21   b  ( FIG. 7 ) of the wrapping sheet  21  may be removed and the cylindrical portion  21   a  of the wrapping sheet  21  may be left when tearing off the wrapping sheet  21 . Then, the fixing belt  58  may be wound around the outer wall of the cylindrical portion  21   a  of the wrapping sheet  21  so that the film annular body  15   k  and the accommodating cassette  14  are attached to the waste disposal bag  51 . 
     The knot  26 , which is tied at the end of the tubular film  15  that is pulled out from the accommodating cassette  14  so as to pass through the waste inlet  16 , reaches the other end of the waste disposal bag  51  from one end thereof through the inside of the waste disposal bag  51 . Thus, waste materials such as soiled diapers can be placed and stored in the tubular film  15 . 
     While the zipper  54  is closed, the lid  52  seals the waste inlet  16 . Thus, odors of the waste materials do not leak out of the waste disposal bag  51 . 
     The waste disposal bag  51  of the present embodiment is preferable for portable applications, and enables the user to hygienically and efficiently dispose of waste materials such as soiled diapers. The waste disposal bag  51  is long enough that the other longitudinal end of the waste disposal bag  51  can be twisted by 360° or more with respect to one longitudinal end thereof. First, the user twists the waste disposal bag  51  by 360° or more as shown in  FIG. 15  to prevent odors of stored waste materials D from leaking out of the waste disposal bag  51 . Then, the user opens the zipper  54  to place a waste material D through the waste inlet  16 , and finally closes the zipper  54 . Disposal of the waste material D is completed in this manner. According to the waste disposal bag of the present embodiment, the user can successively dispose of waste materials D. Since the waste materials D are covered by the tubular film  15 , and are sealed by the waste disposal bag  51 , the waste disposal bag  51  is hygienic. 
     When the waste disposal bag  51  is filled with waste materials D, the user opens the zipper  55  at the other end of the waste disposal bag  51  as shown in  FIG. 16 , and removes the waste materials D together with the tubular film  15  from the other end of the waste disposal bag  51 . After removing all the waste materials D from the other end of the waste disposal bag  51 , the user ties a knot, and cuts the bag of the tubular film  15  at the knot. The waste disposal bag  51  is thus emptied, and is ready for reuse. Note that at this time, a new length of the tubular film  15  is pulled out from the accommodating cassette  14 , and thus the waste disposal bag  51  is always hygienic. The greater the overall length of the waste disposal bag  51  is, the more waste materials the waste disposal bag  51  can store. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the user can compress the waste disposal bag  51  to a compact size when carrying the empty waste disposal bag  51 . That is, fastening bands  62  are sewn on the lid  53 . The fastening bands  62  are radially arranged on the outer edge of the surface of the circular lid  53 . In the present embodiment, two fastening bands  62  are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. A pair of hook-and-loop fasteners  64  is sewn in the central part of each fastening band  62 . 
     The fastening members  60  and the fastening bands  62  are fastening devices for restricting the length of the waste disposal bag  51 . The waste disposal bag  51  can be compressed to a compact size by first inserting the fastening bands  62  through the fastening members  60 , namely the rectangular rings, and then folding back ends  62   s  of the fastening bands  62  and pressing the hook-and-loop fasteners  64  together. Thus, the user can carry the waste disposal bag  61  in a preferred size. Moreover, the waste disposal bag  51  can be adjusted to any length by selecting the pressing positions of the hook-and-loop fasteners  64 , which increases the convenience of carrying the waste disposal bag  51 . 
     After using the waste disposal bag  51 , the user can loosen the fixing belt  58  to separate the accommodating cassette  14  from the waste disposal bag  51 . Then, the user attaches the accommodating cassette  14  to the attachment portion  19   r  of the waste disposal apparatus  11 . Note that when placing the refill film  18  on the accommodating cassette  14 , the cylindrical portion  27  and the outward flange  27   f  of the accommodating cassette  14  may be kept attached to the attachment portion  19   r . In this case, only the film holding flange  29  can be detached when placing the refill film  18  on the accommodating cassette  14 . According to the present embodiment, since the refill film  18  can be directly placed in the waste disposal apparatus  11 , the accommodating cassette  14  need not be thrown away when placing the refill film  18  on the accommodating cassette  14 . 
     Although the embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within a scope that is the same as, or equivalent to the present invention. 
     For example, the film holding flange  29  can be omitted in the case where the film annular body  15   k  is maintained in the compressed state even after removing the wrapping sheet  21 , and is stationarily placed in this state on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion  27 . If the tubular film  15  is neatly accordion folded to form the film annular body  15   k , the tubular film  15  is sequentially pulled out from the accommodating cassette  14  and passes through the central hole of the cylindrical portion  27  to cover the waste inlet  16 , even if the film holding flange  29  is not provided. 
     The refill film, the accommodating cassette, and the like according to the present invention are advantageously used in waste disposal apparatuses.