Patent Description:
The problem of how to effectively seal and store nappy waste is well recognised. It is possible to store nappy waste in ordinary household bins; however these are not sufficiently smell proof to enable nappy waste to be hygienically stored except on a very temporary basis. Plastic bags may be used to wrap soiled nappies and other waste in an attempt to block smell leakage, however these bags have limited effect and often comprise more plastic than is needed to wrap a single nappy, therefore creating unnecessary waste.

Several known devices exist which provide means for sealing and storing nappy waste. One known device which is designed for the storage of nappy waste is described in <CIT> (Sangenic International Limited). According to <CIT>, a waste container is provided for housing a waste storage cassette. The container includes gripping means to hold a waste package in place whilst the cassette is rotated with respect to the waste package. This forms a twisted seal in the top of the waste package, wherein the twisted seal also acts as the base of a length of tubing for packaging the next waste item to be disposed of In order to rotate the waste storage cassette, the waste storage device is provided with a waste cassette rotator. The rotator has an inner ledge, from which the waste storage cassette can be suspended, such that, upon rotation of the rotator, the waste storage cassette is also rotated by virtue of friction between the rotator and the cassette.

It is desirable to minimise slippage of the cassette inside the rotator. This can occur, for example, as the tubing is twisted relatively tightly by a user, causing the tubing to exert a force on the cassette which acts against the direction of rotation. Thus, the transfer of rotation from the user to the waste storage cassette can be inefficient. Slippage between the cassette and rotator can also cause the twist formed above a waste item, and the resulting seals formed between each encapsulated waste package, to be relatively loose.

The invetion is set out in independent claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which:.

In overview, a waste storage device is disclosed, including a waste storage cassette receiving chamber, a rotator rotatably mounted in the chamber, and a waste storage cassette.

In one embodiment, the rotator comprises a flange projecting inwardly from a lower portion of a cylindrical wall, wherein the rotator is arranged for suspending the waste storage cassette from the inwardly projecting flange. At least one rib is provided on an inner surface of the rotator, which is arranged to engage with at least one slot on the waste storage cassette, in the manner of a lock and key engagement. This coupling between the rotator and the waste storage cassette virtually eliminates slippage between the waste storage cassette and the rotator.

In another embodiment, the rotator comprises an upper annulus and a cylindrical wall extending downwardly from the inner circumference of the upper annulus. At least one rib is provided on an inner surface of the rotator cylindrical wall, which is arranged to locate with at least one corresponding slot on a waste storage cassette. The waste storage cassette is thus supported in the chamber by the interaction of the rotator rib with the cassette slot, to ensure rotational engagement between the rotator and the cassette.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a waste storage device can be seen. The waste storage device <NUM> includes a waste storage chamber <NUM> having a removable cover <NUM>. As described in more detail below, the removable cover <NUM> includes a waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM> for receiving a waste storage cassette having flexible tubing for enveloping waste items and further includes a waste storage cassette rotator <NUM>. The rotator provides means for rotating a waste storage cassette with respect to the waste cassette receiving chamber in order to create sealed waste packages in the flexible tubing. The waste cassette rotator <NUM> further includes a handle <NUM> which can be actuated by a user in order to rotate the waste cassette rotator <NUM> about its central axis in the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM>. The waste storage chamber <NUM> and removable cover <NUM> may fit together by any suitable means such as a tab and cooperating recess.

The removable cover <NUM> includes a lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is preferably hingedly attached to the cover <NUM> such that it can be actuated in order to provide user access to the inside of the cover <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of the waste storage device <NUM> with the lid <NUM> in an open position. <FIG> shows an embodiment of the waste storage device <NUM> with the lid <NUM> in an open position, and with a waste storage cassette inserted into the waste storage cassette receiving chamber <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of the lid removed from the waste storage device.

The cover <NUM> of the waste storage container comprises a waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM> configured to receive a waste storage cassette. A plunger <NUM> extends downwardly from an under surface of the lid <NUM>. The plunger is fixed relative to the lid so that movement of the lid provides movement of the plunger. Preferably the plunger <NUM> and lid <NUM> share a common central axis along the extension direction of the plunger <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> may be hollow, with an open upper end covered by the lid <NUM> and a closed lower end. According to an embodiment, the plunger <NUM> is substantially circular in cross section and tapers radially inwards towards its lower end. This tapering provides clearance for insertion of the plunger <NUM> into a throat or other waste aperture defined within the removable cover <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is closed, as described in more detail below. The plunger <NUM> may be formed integral to the lid <NUM> or may attach to the lid <NUM> by any appropriate inter- engagement means such as a screw fit or snap fit. Optionally, the portion of the lid <NUM> which covers the upper end of the plunger <NUM> may be removable.

In order to support the plunger <NUM> and prevent the lid <NUM> from deforming under its weight, a plurality of support ribs <NUM> are provided on the under surface of the lid <NUM>. Preferably the support ribs <NUM> are spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the upper end of the plunger <NUM> and each rib <NUM> extends radially outwards therefrom. Optionally, the lid <NUM> may include an annular flange <NUM> extending downwardly from the under surface of the lid <NUM>, wherein the annular flange <NUM> intersects the support ribs <NUM> towards their distal ends in order to provide additional support.

A clip <NUM> is provided at the front of the lid <NUM>, extending from its under surface. The clip <NUM> inter-engages with a cooperating slot or recess on an outer surface of the removable cover <NUM>, in order to secure the lid <NUM> in a closed configuration to the cover <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment the lid <NUM> can lock to the main body of the cover <NUM> via any appropriate means.

At its back end the lid <NUM> has a further plurality of ribs on its under surface, preferably extending parallel to one another and outwardly from an outer surface of the annular flange <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the further plurality of ribs includes two hinge ribs <NUM> which flank two engagement ribs <NUM>. The hinge ribs <NUM> each include a hole, recess or protrusion towards its distal end, close to the outer edge <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, for cooperation with a corresponding protrusion, hole or recess on the cover <NUM>, to form a hinged attachment between the lid <NUM> and cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the underside of the removable cover <NUM> includes a hook <NUM> and cutter <NUM>. The removable cover <NUM> comprises an annular flange <NUM>. The hook <NUM> is preferably substantially C-shaped, extending downwardly from an underside of the annular flange <NUM> and curving upwardly back towards the flange <NUM>, with a small gap <NUM> defined between the flange <NUM> and the distal end of the hook <NUM>. When a waste cassette is placed in the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM> the user pulls a substantially cylindrical length of tubing from the top of the cassette and ties the tubing into a knot near its upper edge. This knotted tubing forms the base of a waste package into which a nappy or other waste item(s) can be placed. After a waste item has been placed in the tubing, the top of the waste package will be formed by making a twist in the tubing as described below. This twist will then form the base of a subsequent waste package.

Optionally, before a waste item is placed in the waste package the user pushes the knotted base downwards, through an open gripping assembly, and at least partially into the waste passage below. This ensures that sufficient tubing will be available to cover the waste item and to enable the tubing above the waste item to be effectively sealed.

In order to hold a length of tubing containing one or more individually wrapped waste packages in place, and to prevent unravelling of the twist formed above any individual waste package, particularly the first waste package formed within a length of tubing, the knot in the upper edge of the length of tubing is inserted into the hook <NUM> on the underside of the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM>. The hook <NUM> holds the knot in place so that after several uses of a waste storage cassette in the waste storage device <NUM> a chain of individually wrapped waste packages will extend from the hook <NUM>, down into the waste storage chamber <NUM> and back up towards the waste storage cassette from which the tubing extends.

As described below, the cutter <NUM> can be used to cut flexible tubing from a waste storage cassette. The cutter preferably includes a tapered ramp <NUM> extending from the underside of the flange <NUM> and a blade or other cutting means provided substantially coplanar with the flange <NUM> and protected from below by the ramp <NUM>. The tapered portion of the ramp <NUM> acts as a guide to direct flexible tubing or other material towards the protected cutting means for severance of the material.

In use, when a user wishes to remove the stored waste packages from the waste storage chamber <NUM> of a waste storage device <NUM>, the tubing which envelops the waste packages must be severed from the unused tubing extending from the cassette. In order to do this, the cover <NUM> is removed from the waste storage chamber <NUM>. According to a preferred embodiment, the cover <NUM> can be turned on its side and can rest in a stable position in the mouth of the waste storage chamber <NUM>, to enable the user to more easily cut the flexible tubing without having to hold the cover <NUM> at the time. The tubing between the top of the cassette and the tubing enveloping the most recently formed waste package is then sliced or otherwise severed using the cutter <NUM>. The user can then unhook the knotted end of the chain of waste packages from the hook <NUM> and dispose of the waste packages thereafter.

Referring to <FIG>, a waste cassette rotator <NUM> can be seen. The waste cassette rotator <NUM> comprises a cylindrical wall <NUM> extending substantially concentric with the walls of the cassette receiving chamber, a flange or annular base <NUM> extending radially inward and substantially perpendicular to the wall <NUM>, and an upper annulus <NUM> which extends radially outwards from the top of the wall <NUM> so that it can rest on an upper surface of the cover <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment the waste cassette rotator <NUM> further includes a handle <NUM> on its upper annulus <NUM> which can be actuated by a user in order to rotate the waste cassette rotator <NUM> about its central axis in the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM>. The waste cassette rotator <NUM> is arranged for supporting and housing a waste storage cassette <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and for rotating said cassette <NUM> with respect to the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM> as described in more detail below.

The waste cassette rotator <NUM> further includes a plurality of generally vertically extending ribs <NUM> which project in a radially inward direction from the inner wall. The ribs <NUM> project inwardly flush with the flange <NUM> and in contact with the flange <NUM>, and are thus supported across their base by the flange <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may be spaced substantially equidistantly around the inner circumference of the cylindrical wall <NUM>, or may be at varying coplanar separations, or equally angularly spaced but omitting one or more ribs. The ribs <NUM> extend, in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the rotator, between the upper annulus <NUM> and the flange <NUM>. The ribs are sized, positioned and shaped in an appropriate manner to engage with corresponding slots <NUM> on a waste storage cassette, as will be described below.

In an alternative embodiment, and with reference to <FIG>, the rotator also includes a plurality of raised projections <NUM> interspaced between the ribs <NUM>. The raised projections <NUM> may be equally interspaced around the circumference of the cylindrical wall <NUM>, or may be positioned in any suitable arrangement around the annular flange <NUM> of the rotator. The raised projections <NUM> extend in an upward direction from the flange <NUM> and in contact with the cylindrical wall <NUM>, and extend at least part of the distance between the flange <NUM> and the upper annulus <NUM>. The raised projections have a radial dimension substantially equal to that of the flange <NUM>, and extend in a tangential direction around the flange <NUM>.

The raised projections <NUM> enable the rotate ring <NUM> to receive different sized cassettes. For example, the radially extending protrusions <NUM> which comprise the annular formation <NUM> of the cassette, as will be described in greater detail later, can be arranged to rest on either the raised projections <NUM> or the annular base <NUM> of the rotate ring. For a shallower cassette, i.e. a cassette having a smaller cylindrical height, the cassette formation <NUM> can be designed to rest on the raised projections <NUM>. For a deeper cassette, i.e. a cassette having a larger cylindrical height, the cassette formation <NUM> can be designed to rest directly on the flange <NUM>. In a cassette according to this embodiment, gaps (not shown) in the formation <NUM> are provided. These gaps are positioned, sized and shaped appropriately in order to allow the raised projections <NUM> to pass through the gaps, thereby allowing a bottom surface of the formation <NUM> to rest directly on the annular flange of the rotate ring. The raised projections thereby allow cassettes of different sizes to fit in the waste storage chamber of the waste storage device, and allow cassettes of different sizes, and /or with differing amounts of film storage space, to be compatible with the same rotate ring.

<FIG> show a waste storage cassette <NUM> for use within the waste storage device. The waste storage cassette <NUM> has a housing which comprises cylindrical inner <NUM> and outer <NUM> walls, connected at their lower end by a base <NUM> to form a substantially U shaped cross section throughout. In the cassette housing between the inner <NUM> and outer <NUM> walls of the cassette <NUM> flexible tubing can be housed. Preferably the flexible tubing is layered or pleated within the cassette housing in order to optimise use of the space therein and provide as much tubing in the cassette <NUM> as possible. As can be seen in <FIG>, extending radially inward from the upper edge of the outer wall <NUM> is a flange <NUM>. The flange <NUM> provides at least a partial cover for the cassette housing, preferably exerting downward pressure on the flexible tubing and keeping it as tightly packed in the housing as possible. There is at least one peripheral gap <NUM> formed between an outer rim of the flange <NUM> and the inner wall <NUM>, through which a user can access the flexible tubing in order to pull it over the inner wall <NUM>.

Preferably, the inner wall <NUM> has a rounded profile at its upper edges in order to provide minimal friction, hence enabling smooth flow of flexible tubing thereover.

As is best seen from <FIG>, according to a preferred embodiment the flange <NUM> comprises a plurality of inward projections or petals <NUM> extending from the outer wall <NUM> towards the inner wall <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>, with a plurality of gaps <NUM> therebetween which allow flexible tubing to be dispensed from the cassette housing below. The flange <NUM> can be clipped, snap-fitted or engaged to the outer wall <NUM> using any suitable means. Preferably the outer edge of the flange <NUM> is rounded so as to prevent snagging of the tubing when it passes there over.

Preferably, the flange <NUM> clips or snap fits into the outer wall <NUM> of the waste storage cassette <NUM>. According to a preferred embodiment, the outer wall <NUM> includes one or more inwardly extending protrusions <NUM> on its inner surface with which the flange <NUM> interengages. Further preferably, the tips of the petals <NUM>, and hence the inner edge of the flange <NUM>, are raised with respect to the outer circumference of the flange.

It will be appreciated from the description below that during use of a waste storage cassette <NUM> in a waste storage device <NUM> the petals <NUM> of the flange <NUM> improve dosage of the flexible tubing from the cassette housing. In particular, they add tension to the flexible tubing and provide support so that when a relatively heavy waste item is placed in a hollow formed from flexible tubing already dispensed from the cassette <NUM>, the waste item is held in place and its weight does not cause additional tubing to be dispensed from the cassette housing unnecessarily. This is particularly important when there is only a small amount of flexible tubing remaining in the cassette housing, at which time the tubing will not be tightly packed enough to remain trapped in the housing merely due to the covering and downward pressure which the presence of the flange <NUM> provides.

The petals <NUM> may each extend to reach the inner wall <NUM>. By extending the petals <NUM> to reach the inner wall <NUM> the drag which the flange <NUM> exerts on the flexible tubing as it is dispensed from the cassette housing is increased. Furthermore, longer petals <NUM> serve to cover the majority of the flexible tubing in the cassette <NUM> and prevent it from spilling out before dispensing is required.

According to an alternative embodiment not all of the petals <NUM> reach the inner wall <NUM>. For example in a cassette <NUM> having a total of six petals <NUM> as few as three petals <NUM>, each of a short arc length, should be sufficient to enable adequate user access to the tubing housed therein.

The waste storage cassette <NUM> further includes a formation <NUM>. The formation takes the form of an annular ledge or flange, which projects radially outwards from an outer surface of the cassette outer wall <NUM>. The formation / ledge <NUM> is preferably located towards the upper edge of the outer wall <NUM>, but below the flange <NUM> which extends radially inwards from an inner surface of the outer wall <NUM>.

The formation <NUM> comprises a number of protrusions <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> extend radially outward from an outer surface of the cassette outer wall <NUM>, and are separated by a corresponding number of gaps or slots <NUM>. The slots <NUM> may be spaced substantially equidistantly around the inner circumference of the cylindrical wall <NUM>, or may be at varying coplanar separations, or equally angularly spaced but omitting one or more slots around the outer circumference of the formation <NUM>, and are positioned, sized and shaped appropriately in order to engage with the ribs <NUM> of the rotator <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cassette <NUM> coupled with a rotator <NUM>. In coupling the cassette <NUM> with the rotator <NUM>, the slots <NUM> have accepted the ribs <NUM>, and the rotator and cassette are ready for synchronous rotation.

Also provided in the waste storage device shown <FIG> and <FIG> is a gripping assembly or gripper <NUM>. The gripping assembly comprises a gripping diaphragm. The gripping diaphragm comprises a main body having a central aperture. The central aperture can be circular or of any other appropriate profile. The gripper has a plurality of projecting fingers <NUM> projecting into the aperture, effectively forming a continuous engagement face but providing additional flexibility. The projecting fingers are arranged to contact an enveloped waste package when the waste storage device <NUM> is in use. As a result the gripper provides a clear engagement feel when a package is inserted and held in place so that the user can detect by tactile feedback that the arrangement is ready to twist the tubing above the gripped package. Yet further the effectively continuous engagement face provided by the aperture periphery such as the fingers <NUM> ensures that the tubing is gripped consistently around its circumference.

The gripping assembly connects to the flange <NUM> of the removable cover <NUM>, thus forming the base of the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM>. The gripper <NUM> is preferably removably secured by inter-engagement means to an upper face of the flange <NUM>. The plurality of projecting fingers extend downwardly and inwardly into the 'throat' of the waste storage chamber <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a waste storage cassette <NUM> is seen in situ in the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM> of a waste storage device <NUM>. The cassette <NUM> is placed in the waste cassette receiving chamber <NUM>, preferably wherein the cassette <NUM> hangs via the ledge <NUM> on its outer surface from the rim or annular base <NUM> of the waste cassette rotator <NUM>. Before placing the cassette <NUM> in the chamber <NUM>, the user also rotationally orientates the cassette <NUM> in order to locate the ribs <NUM> of the rotator <NUM> into the slots <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>.

Alternatively, the cassette <NUM> can be supported at its base by the rim or annular base <NUM> of the waste cassette rotator <NUM>.

In order to begin using a cassette <NUM> in the waste storage device <NUM>, the user accesses flexible tubing housed within the cassette <NUM>, pulls a length of tubing therefrom and ties a knot in the end of the tubing as described above. The user then inserts the knot into a hook <NUM> on the under surface of the cover <NUM> of the device <NUM> as described above. As a result, a sealed hollow of tubing is formed in the throat of the waste storage device <NUM>, radially inward of the inner wall <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>. At this point the waste storage device <NUM> and cassette <NUM> are ready for insertion of a waste item into the hollow of tubing.

Once a user has placed a waste item in the hollow of tubing, he or she then actuates the handle <NUM> on the waste cassette rotator <NUM>.

Rotation of the waste cassette rotator <NUM> causes rotation of the cassette <NUM> located thereon. The ribs <NUM> of the rotator <NUM> and slots <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> act as cooperating inter-engagement means in a similar manner to a lug and recess arrangement, to ensure that the waste storage cassette <NUM> rotates synchronously with the waste cassette rotator <NUM>.

The rotator <NUM> and waste storage cassette <NUM> rotate relative to the waste storage device <NUM>. The contact force exerted by the stationary gripper <NUM> causes the waste item to remain stationary during rotation of the cassette <NUM>. Rotation of the cassette <NUM> thereby causes the tubing to twist above the waste item, forming a seal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the waste cassette and waste storage device <NUM> are arranged so that one single rotation of the waste cassette <NUM> from its starting position by the waste cassette rotator <NUM> is sufficient both to grip the tubing above the waste item and form a twist in the tubing in order to complete a sealed waste package.

Once a sealed waste package has been formed as described above, the user can replace the lid <NUM> of the waste storage device <NUM> until he or she next wishes to use the device <NUM>. The action of closing the lid <NUM> causes the plunger <NUM> to plunge through the aperture in the throat area defined by the gripping assembly, pushing the previously-formed waste package(s) through the throat and down towards the waste storage chamber <NUM> below. At the same time, this causes additional flexible tubing to be dispensed from the waste cassette <NUM> in a metered manner. As a result, the plunger <NUM> creates a hollow of flexible tubing above the previously- formed waste packages(s), wherein the base of the hollow is formed by the twisted tubing above the previously-sealed waste item. When the user next opens the lid <NUM> of the waste storage device <NUM>, a waste item can be placed directly in the hollow which the plunger <NUM> has created. Therefore the user does not have to take any additional steps to prepare the cassette <NUM> for storage of subsequent waste items, once the lid <NUM> has been re-opened, nor does the user need to push the previously-formed package(s) down into the waste storage chamber <NUM> manually.

The plunger <NUM> is arranged to present a fresh area of tubing which is just big enough to receive a waste item comprising a waste nappy and allow a twist seal to be formed above the nappy, without using any additional flexible tubing unnecessarily. This ensures that the maximum possible number of waste packages can be formed from the flexible tubing stored within a single waste cassette <NUM>, making the cassette more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

A waste storage cassette <NUM> can be employed in the waste storage device <NUM> to form a plurality of consecutive waste packages which are stored in the waste storage chamber <NUM> connected below the cover <NUM>. In order to empty the waste packages from the waste storage chamber <NUM>, the inter-engagement means between the cover <NUM> and waste storage chamber <NUM> are released and the cover <NUM> is lifted from above the waste storage chamber <NUM>. If a cassette <NUM> in the cover <NUM> still houses some flexible tubing, the unused flexible tubing extending from the cassette <NUM> will be continuous with the flexible tubing from which the waste packages have been formed. As described above, in order to release the unused flexible tubing from connection with the previously formed waste packages, the user rips the flexible tubing above the most recently formed waste packaging using the hook <NUM> and cutter <NUM> means provided on the underside of the cover <NUM>. Preferably, the components in the cover are made from lightweight materials, so that the user can easily lift the cover and, if desired,.

hold it in one hand while using the other hand to hold and cut the tubing above the waste packages.

The various components of the waste storage device <NUM> are preferably formed from lightweight plastic or any other suitable material and can be moulded or otherwise formed in any appropriate manner. Preferably the surfaces of the device are wipe-clean. Preferably the gripping bands in the gripping assembly are formed from elastic or any other suitable material which exhibits the appropriate deformation characteristics.

The embodiments of the waste storage device described provide a hygienic, easy-to-use and cost-effective means for disposing of used nappies and other waste items.

The plunger provides means for preparing the waste storage device and cassette for repeated use by creating hollows of flexible tubing for waste items to be placed into. This saves time and effort for the user and also ensures that the user does not use additional flexible tubing unnecessarily.

By providing an inter-engagement means consisting of ribs on the rotate ring and slots on the cassette, slippage between the cassette and rotator can be virtually eliminated. Slippage can cause the twist formed above the waste item to be loose, which in turn can provide an inadequate seal. Reducing slippage between the rotator and the cassette means that the twists formed above each waste item respectively are consistently tight, improving the seal formed between consecutive enclosed waste packages.

An alternative rotator embodiment is shown in <FIG>. According to this alternative embodiment, the rotator <NUM> is similar in structure and operation to the rotator described above. The waste cassette rotator <NUM> comprises a cylindrical wall <NUM> extending substantially concentric with the walls of the cassette receiving chamber, a flange or annular base <NUM> extending substantially perpendicular to the wall <NUM>, and an upper annulus <NUM> which extends radially outwards from the top of the wall <NUM> so that it rests on an upper surface of the cover <NUM>.

The waste cassette rotator <NUM> further includes a plurality of ribs <NUM> which extend in a radially inward direction from the inner wall. The ribs <NUM> extend inwardly the length of the flange <NUM> with their base being in contact with the flange <NUM>, and the ribs are thus supported across their base by the flange <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> are formed on the wall <NUM> in pairs, as shown in <FIG> as 851a, 851b. The pairs of ribs are sized and shaped in an appropriate manner to engage with corresponding slots <NUM> on a waste storage cassette.

Each rib of the pair of ribs is separated by a distance at least as large as the width of a single rib. There are n pairs of ribs around the circumference of the inner wall <NUM>, where n is preferably, though not necessarily, in a range <NUM> ≤ n ≤ <NUM>. The rotator may also further comprise a fin <NUM>. The fin <NUM> extends from an upper face of the flange <NUM> in an upward direction, substantially parallel to the cylindrical wall <NUM>. The fin <NUM> is relatively thin in a radial dimension, and extends tangentially around the inner circumference of the flange <NUM>. The fin does not contact the cylindrical wall, such that a peripheral gap between the fin <NUM> and the cylindrical wall is formed. The pairs of ribs 851a-n and the fin <NUM> are spaced substantially equidistantly around an inner circumference of the cylindrical wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the pairs of ribs <NUM> a-n and the fin <NUM> may be at varying coplanar separations, or equally angularly spaced but omitting one or more pair of ribs. In a preferred embodiment, there are ten ribs, which together form five pairs of ribs, and one fin, all of which are spaced equidistantly around the flange <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the fin is not provided, and instead the pattern of repeating raised projections around the flange of the rotator is skipped for one or more projections.

The rotator may also include a plurality of raised projections <NUM> interspaced between the pairs of ribs 851a-n and the fin <NUM>. The raised projections <NUM> may be equally interspaced around the circumference of the cylindrical wall <NUM>. The raised projections <NUM> extend in an upward direction from the flange <NUM> and in contact with the cylindrical wall <NUM>, and extend at least part of the distance between the flange <NUM> and the upper annulus <NUM>. The raised projections have a radial dimension substantially equal to that of the flange <NUM>, and extend in a tangential direction around the flange <NUM>.

A corresponding alternative cassette embodiment is shown in <FIG>. The alternative cassette embodiment <NUM> is similar in both structure and operation to the waste storage cassette described above.

The cassette outer wall <NUM> comprises a plurality of depressions or recesses <NUM>, which extend in an axial direction for substantially the full height of the cassette <NUM>. The diameter of the waste storage cassette <NUM> is decreased in the region of the recesses <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> extend radially inward from an outer surface of the cassette outer wall <NUM> and may extend from the top to the bottom of the cassette, hence defining elongate depressions and/or regions where the cassette has a reduced diameter. The recesses <NUM> are spaced around the outer circumference of the cassette <NUM>.

The waste storage cassette <NUM> includes a formation <NUM>. The formation takes the form of an annular ledge or flange, which projects radially outwards from an outer surface of the cassette outer wall <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the formation comprises a sloped annular flange <NUM>. The sloped angular flange <NUM> extends outwards in a radial direction from the cassette outer wall <NUM>, and is downwardly and outwardly sloped with respect to the waste storage cassette outer wall <NUM>. A downwardly depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> extends in a downward direction from an outermost portion of the sloped annular flange <NUM>. The depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> depends in a direction substantially parallel to the cassette outer wall <NUM>, but at an increased radial distance from a central axis of the cassette <NUM>. A gap between the downwardly depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> and the cassette outer wall <NUM> defines an annular channel <NUM>.

The formation <NUM> comprises a number of protrusions <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> extend radially outward from an outer surface of the cassette outer wall <NUM>, and are separated by a corresponding number of gaps or slots <NUM>. The slots <NUM> are sized, positioned and shaped appropriately in order to engage with the pairs of ribs 851a-n of the rotator <NUM>. The slots <NUM> are spaced around the outer circumference of the formation <NUM>. One of the protrusions is approximately twice as long as the other protrusions, and it is this protrusion which interacts and engages with the fin <NUM> of the rotator <NUM>, as will be described below, rather than a rib or pair of ribs <NUM>. In the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, there are five slots <NUM>.

When the cassette <NUM> is engaged with the rotator <NUM>, each respective pair of ribs 851a-n engage with, i.e. fit inside, a corresponding slot <NUM> on the waste storage cassette <NUM>. The fin <NUM> engages with, i.e. fits inside, the channel <NUM> of the cassette. The fin <NUM> thereby ensures that the cassette can only engage with the rotator <NUM> in a particular rotational orientation.

Another alternative rotator embodiment is shown in <FIG>. According to this alternative embodiment, the rotator <NUM> is similar in structure and operation to the rotators described above, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of the features of each rotator / rotate-ring disclosed herein are possible.

The waste cassette rotator <NUM> comprises a cylindrical wall <NUM> extending substantially concentrically with the walls of the cassette receiving chamber, and an upper annulus <NUM> which extends radially outwards from the top of the wall <NUM> so that it may rest on an upper surface of the cover. In some embodiments, a flange or annular base <NUM> may extend radially inwards from a bottom region of the cylindrical wall <NUM> and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the wall <NUM>.

The waste cassette rotator <NUM> further includes a plurality of ribs <NUM> which extend in a radially inward direction from the inner wall <NUM>, and extend substantially the whole height of the cylindrical wall <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may extend inwardly the length of the flange <NUM>, with the base of the ribs being in contact with the flange <NUM> The ribs may thus be supported across their base by the flange <NUM>. Alternatively, in embodiments without the flange <NUM>, the ribs <NUM> may simply extend from the cylindrical wall <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> are sized, positioned and shaped in an appropriate manner to engage with corresponding recesses <NUM> on a waste storage cassette.

There are n ribs around the circumference of the inner wall <NUM>, where n is preferably, though not necessarily, in a range <NUM> ≤ n ≤ <NUM>, and may be, for example, <NUM> ≤ n ≤ <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may be spaced substantially equidistantly around an inner circumference of the cylindrical wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the ribs 1051a-n may be positioned at varying angular separations, or may be equally angularly spaced but omitting one or more ribs. In a preferred embodiment, there are six ribs <NUM> spaced equidistantly around the outer wall <NUM>.

The rotator may also further comprise a fin and/or a plurality of raised projections, as described above in relation to other embodiments, for example fin <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG> and raised projections <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>.

An alternative cassette embodiment <NUM>, which is not according to the invention, is shown in <FIG>.

Subject to the differences set out below, the further alternative cassette embodiment <NUM> is similar in both structure and operation to the waste storage cassettes described above, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of the features of each waste storage cassette disclosed herein are possible.

Unlike the cassettes disclosed above, the cassette <NUM> of this embodiment does not comprise an outwardly extending annular flange / formation (such as formation <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>), or any outwardly extending radial projections (for example projections <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>). The outer wall <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> comprises at least one recess <NUM>, and in a preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of recesses <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> extend radially inward from an outer surface of the cassette outer wall <NUM> and extend from the top to the bottom of the cassette, hence defining elongate depressions and/or regions where the cassette has a reduced diameter. The recesses <NUM> are spaced around the outer circumference of the cassette <NUM>, and are sized, positioned and shaped appropriately in order to engage with the pairs of ribs <NUM> of the rotator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the recesses may be slots or apertures, which are again sized, positioned and shaped appropriately in order to engage with the pairs of ribs <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cassette <NUM> is cylindrical. It is possible to define a cylindrical axis which runs through the base of the cassette, as shown by dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. Each recess <NUM> begins at the bottom of the cylindrical wall <NUM> and extends upwards along the wall for substantially the full length of the cassette, in a direction parallel to the cylindrical axis.

<FIG> show the waste storage cassette of <FIG>, with an annular flange <NUM> attached thereto, coupled with / supported by the rotate ring <NUM> of <FIG>. As described above in relation to the annular flange <NUM> of <FIG>, the annular flange <NUM> may comprise several inward projections or petals <NUM> which extend radially inward from an outer rim of the annular flange <NUM>. When the flange <NUM> is attached to the cassette <NUM>, the petals <NUM> extend towards the inner wall <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>, with a plurality of gaps <NUM> therebetween which allow flexible tubing to be dispensed from the cassette housing below. Preferably, the outer edge of the flange <NUM> is rounded so as to prevent snagging of the tubing when it passes thereover.

The flange <NUM> can be clipped, snap-fitted or engaged to the cassette outer wall <NUM> using any suitable means. In a preferred embodiment, protrusions <NUM> extend from the top rim of the cassette outer wall <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> thus includes one or more inwardly extending protrusions <NUM> on its inner surface, with which the outer rim of the annular flange <NUM> interengages. During assembly, the flange <NUM> can be engaged with the cassette <NUM> by simply clipping the flange <NUM> into position underneath the inwardly extending protrusions <NUM>. In this manner, the inwardly extending protrusions <NUM> act together as a detent mechanism. Each extending protrusion <NUM> of the plurality of extending protrusions <NUM> extends radially inwards from an upper region of the cassette outer wall <NUM> in the vicinity of a recess <NUM>. As can best be seen in <FIG>, each recess <NUM> is associated with a corresponding extending protrusion <NUM>. The cassette also comprises a plurality of apertures <NUM> in the cassette outer wall <NUM> proximate the extending protrusions <NUM>. Each respective recess <NUM> is vertically aligned with a protrusion <NUM> and an aperture <NUM> on the cassette outer wall <NUM>.

When the cassette <NUM> is engaged with the rotator <NUM>, each respective rib <NUM> of the rotator <NUM> engages with, i.e. fits inside, a corresponding recess <NUM> on the waste storage cassette <NUM>. As a user engages the cassette <NUM> with the rotator <NUM>, the ribs <NUM> act as guides within the recesses <NUM> to ensure proper engagement of the cassette <NUM> and the rotator <NUM>.

<FIG> show the annular flange <NUM> engaged with the cassette <NUM>, and the cassette <NUM> being supported by the rotator <NUM>. <FIG> thus show the cassette in a supported position. To fit the cassette <NUM> into the rotator <NUM>, a user aligns the recesses <NUM> in the cassette outer wall <NUM> with the ribs / projections <NUM> in the rotator / rotate ring <NUM> and pushes the cassette <NUM> down into the waste storage chamber. Each rib <NUM> fits into a corresponding recess <NUM> in the cassette outer wall <NUM>. As a user pushes the cassette down into the waste storage chamber, the ribs <NUM> guide the vertical movement of the cassette and thus ensure proper engagement of the cassette <NUM> and rotator <NUM>. Because of the arrangement of the extending protrusions <NUM>, apertures <NUM>, annular flange <NUM> and ribs <NUM>, as a user continues to push the cassette downwards inside the chamber, a top region of the ribs <NUM> comes into contact with an underside of the outer rim of the annular flange <NUM>. The underside of the outer rim of the annular flange <NUM> thus acts as a stop. In this way, the projections / ribs <NUM> provided on the inner surface of the rotator cylindrical wall <NUM> are arranged to locate with the recesses <NUM> on the waste storage cassette <NUM> in order to support the waste storage cassette <NUM> in the chamber, and to ensure rotational engagement between the rotator <NUM> and the cassette <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as a user pushes the cassette <NUM> down inside the waste storage cassette chamber, a top region of the ribs <NUM> comes into contact with the inwardly extending protrusions <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cassette <NUM> may comprise an outer lip or flange in the vicinity of the recesses which contacts the ribs as the cassette is pushed down inside the chamber in order that the cassette can be supported by the ribs in the chamber. This outer lip or flange may be continuous or discontinuous around the circumference of the cassette. Alternatively, there may be several lips or flanges provided on the outer wall of the cassette <NUM> which are sized, positioned and shaped in an appropriate manner to contact or otherwise engage with corresponding ribs on a rotator. Alternatively, the recesses <NUM> may not extend along the full outer wall of the cassette, but may instead extend from the bottom of the cassette and come to an end at a predetermined distance up the cassette wall. In such an embodiment, the end point of the recesses <NUM> acts as a stop, and thus defines the end-point of the movement as a user pushes the cassette <NUM> down inside the waste storage cassette chamber.

In some embodiments, the cassette is not supported in the rotator by a top region of the ribs of the rotator. Instead, the recesses in the cassette outer wall are sized and shaped such that the cassette is supported by a friction fit between the ribs and recesses. In such an embodiment, the recesses may be shaped such that they become narrower toward the top of the cassette, to allow the ribs to fit into the recesses only up to a certain pre-determined point in a wedging action.

Supporting the cassette in the waste storage chamber via an interaction between ribs which extend from a cylindrical wall of a rotator and recesses formed in a cassette outer wall is advantageous for several reasons. Further to the advantages described above in relation to the other disclosed embodiments, for example the increased rotational engagement and reduced slippage between the rotator and the waste storage cassette, the arrangement shown in <FIG> has the advantage that the rotator is no longer required to have an inwardly extending annular flange, and the cassette is no longer required to have an outwardly extending annular flange. Because these features of the cassette and rotator are no longer required, material wastage may be reduced, and a more cost-effective manufacturing process and product is provided. Also, because the cassette no longer requires an extending annular flange or any radially extending protrusions, the cassette can be made larger for a given size of waste storage chamber and rotator. This means an increased amount of tubing can be stored in the cassette, which decreases the amount of time required before the cassette must be replaced by a user, and provides further cost-efficiencies for the manufacturer, for example when transporting and storing the waste storage cassettes.

Whilst the ribs in the embodiments described above are placed on the rotator, and the corresponding slots/recesses are provided in an outer flange or formation of the cassette, it will be appreciated that these features could be interchanged, i.e. the ribs could be provided on an outer surface of the cassette, and corresponding slots/recesses could be provided on the rotator.

Whilst <FIG> show a rotator and cassette having six ribs and six slots respectively, and <FIG> show a rotator and cassette having five ribs and five slots respectively, it will be appreciated that any number of ribs and slots can be provided. It will further be appreciated that the number of ribs may not necessarily be equal to the number of slots. In some embodiments, for example, many more slots than ribs may be provided, in order to maximize the available number of possible rotational configurations with which the cassette can engage with the rotator. A rotator and cassette according to this embodiment allow a user to more quickly and simply orientate the cassette in the rotator. It will be appreciated that it is possible to have almost any number of ribs, slots and fins.

It will further be appreciated that the ribs and slots may not necessarily take the exact form described herein. For example, whilst the ribs have been described as extending the full distance between the upper annular surface of the rotator down to the flange or annular base of the rotator, the ribs may not necessarily extend this full distance. For example, the ribs may extend from the annular base to a point halfway up the cylindrical wall of the rotator. It is also not necessary for the ribs to contact either the annular base or the upper annular surface, but may instead take the form of projecting fingers which extend radially inward from any point between the annular base and upper annular surface. The slots in the cassette can be adjusted accordingly to interact with these ribs.

Another alternative rotator embodiment is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> shows a cross-section view of the rotator <NUM> along the line A-A shown in <FIG>. According to this alternative embodiment, the rotator <NUM> is similar in structure and operation to the rotators described above, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of the features of each rotator / rotate-ring disclosed herein are possible. The rotator <NUM> is compatible with the waste storage devices and cassettes disclosed herein, as would be understood by the skilled person.

As with the rotators described above, the waste cassette rotator <NUM> comprises a cylindrical wall <NUM> extending substantially concentrically with the walls of the cassette receiving chamber, and an upper annulus <NUM> which extends radially outwards from the top of the wall <NUM> so that it may rest on an upper surface of the cover. A flange or annular base <NUM> extends radially inwards from a bottom region of the cylindrical wall <NUM> and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the wall <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the waste cassette rotator <NUM> includes a plurality of projections <NUM>, however the projections <NUM> do not extend from the cylindrical wall <NUM>, but instead extend in an axial, upward direction from the flange <NUM>. The projections <NUM> may extend substantially the whole height of the cylindrical wall <NUM>.

As can best be seen in <FIG>, the projections <NUM> extend upward from the rotator flange <NUM> at a position radially inward from the rotator cylindrical wall <NUM>, and are radially separated from the cylindrical wall <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the projections <NUM> extend upwardly from the rotator flange <NUM> at or near the radially innermost edge of the rotator flange <NUM>. The projections <NUM> may also jut out from the radially innermost edge of the flange <NUM>.

The rotator <NUM> is compatible with the previously disclosed waste storage cassettes. For example, when a user wishes to engage rotator <NUM> with a cassette such as the cassette shown in <FIG>, the user maneuverers the cassette so that the projections <NUM> fit into the annular channel <NUM> of the cassette, the annular channel <NUM> being defined by the gap between the downwardly depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> and the cassette outer wall <NUM>. As the projections <NUM> fit into the annular channel <NUM>, the depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> also rests on, and is thus supported by, the rotator flange <NUM>. The cassette is thus suspended by its depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> from the rotator flange <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cassette may be designed to have recesses <NUM> / <NUM> which are sized, positioned and shaped to locate with the projections <NUM>. In these embodiments, the projections <NUM> fit into both the annular channel <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> / <NUM>.

When a user wishes to engage rotator <NUM> with a cassette such as the cassette shown in <FIG>, the user maneuverers the cassette so that the projections <NUM> fit into the corresponding recesses <NUM>, in a similar manner to the engagement described above between cassette <NUM> and rotator <NUM>. When the cassette <NUM> is engaged with the rotator <NUM>, each respective projection <NUM> of the rotator <NUM> engages with, i.e. fits inside, a corresponding recess <NUM> on the waste storage cassette <NUM>. As a user engages the cassette <NUM> with the rotator <NUM>, the projections <NUM> act as guides within the recesses <NUM> to ensure proper engagement of the cassette <NUM> and the rotator <NUM>.

Providing projections <NUM> on a rotator <NUM> which fit into an annular channel <NUM> on a cassette <NUM> allows for strong engagement between the rotator and the cassette. The projections <NUM> are radially separated from the rotator cylindrical wall <NUM>, and thus a space is provided for the depending cylindrical outer wall <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> to rest on the rotator flange <NUM>. The increased contact surface area between the cassette <NUM> and rotator <NUM> provided by this arrangement increases rotational engagement and reduces slippage between the rotator <NUM> and the waste storage cassette <NUM>. Providing projections <NUM> which extend upwardly from a rotator flange <NUM> at or near the radially inner edge of the rotator flange <NUM>, rather than which extend from the rotator cylindrical wall <NUM>, also reduces the material required to fabricate the rotator <NUM> which in turn saves manufacturing costs.

Claim 1:
A waste storage cassette (<NUM>) for rotational mounting in a waste storage cassette receiving chamber provided in an upper part of a waste storage device having a waste storage cassette rotator, the waste storage cassette (<NUM>) comprising:
an inner wall (<NUM>) defining a substantially tubular core;
an outer wall (<NUM>);
an annular bottom section (<NUM>) which joins the inner and outer walls (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a storage section provided between the inner wall and the outer wall for containing waste storage tubing for creating waste packages; and
a formation (<NUM>) provided on said outer wall (<NUM>),
characterized in that the formation (<NUM>) extends in a circumferential direction from the outer wall (<NUM>) and comprises a plurality of slots (<NUM>) or a plurality of ribs spaced apart around the outer circumference of the formation (<NUM>), each slot (<NUM>) or each rib being arranged to locate with a respective rib or a respective slot provided on an inner surface of a waste storage cassette rotator for rotation of the cassette (<NUM>) with respect to the waste storage chamber.