Patent Description:
Apparatuses for packaging and disposing of waste materials into a waste storage container are known in the art. For example, <CIT>, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, describes a cassette and apparatus for packing disposable objects into a bag formed from an elongated tube of flexible material. Generally speaking, prior art systems provide a cassette including an accumulated elongated flexible tube of plastic material, where the cassette is installed in a top portion of a waste storage container. The loading of the cassette into the container generally requires the user to insert the cassette into a cassette holding area of the container, to pull from the cassette a portion of flexible tubing, to form a knot in the end of the flexible tubing and to pass the knotted end of the flexible tubing into an enclosure of the container in which waste material is stored. <CIT> describes a waste disposal device comprising a container having a lid and a cartridge movable by rollers as well as a rotation mechanism for rotating the rotatable cartridge and an integrated cutting system for a waste disposal device. In addition, <CIT> describes a waste storage device including a waste storage cassette receiving chamber for receiving a cassette rotatable within the chamber and containing tubing for enveloping waste.

Generally speaking, a problem with existing prior art systems is that some users find that the cassettes can be difficult to install and that existing mechanisms for retaining the cassette in the container are somewhat limited.

As such, there is a need in the art to provide a cassette and corresponding container in which the cassette can easily be loaded by the user and that will be securely held in the waste storage container during use.

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim. The dependent claims are directed to optional features and preferred embodiments.

In aspects of the present invention, there is provided a cassette for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims and in the remaining part of the description.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a cassette for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material, the cassette, comprising a ring-shaped receptacle defining a central opening, the central opening extending along a generally vertical axis, the ring-shaped receptacle defining a storage area receiving a length of elongated tube of flexible material in a folded condition outward of the central opening. The cassette further includes a plurality of projecting elements in a spaced apart relationship, the projecting elements extending from a periphery of the cassette and being configured to support, the cassette in a waste storage container.

For the purpose of this specification ring-shape means a closed figure. Specific examples include an annular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular or square shape, hexagonal, octagonal, and/or any other polygonal closed figure shape.

In a specific and non-limiting example of implementation, the plurality of projecting elements lie in a common imaginary plane, which is preferably horizontal. Each projecting element has an extent in a peripheral direction of the cassette that is significantly larger than a thickness of the projecting element measured along the vertical axis.

Advantageously, the projecting elements are equally spaced around the periphery of the cassette.

In a specific embodiment, at least one projecting element includes a male or female interlocking component configured to engage a complementary male or female interlocking component in the waste storage container.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a cassette for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material, the cassette, comprising a ring- shaped receptacle defining a central opening, the central opening extending along a generally vertical axis, the ring-shaped receptacle defining a storage area receiving the elongated tube of flexible material in a collapsed condition outward of the central opening. The cassette further comprises a lip projecting outwardly from the cassette and extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the cassette, the lip having a variable projection width.

In a specific example, the receptacle includes a first pair of generally parallel sides and a second pair of generally parallel sides, which extend generally transversally to the first pair of parallel sides. The first and second pairs of sides are major sides, the cassette including a first pair of generally parallel minor sides and a second pair of generally parallel minor sides, the minor sides being shorter than the major sides. The projection width of the lip is larger in the vicinity of the minor sides than the projection width in the vicinity of the major sides.

In a third broad aspect an embodiment of the invention provides a cassette for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material, for use in a waste storage container, the storage container including a cassette holder, the cassette holder having a rim defining a hollow area for removably receiving the cassette, the hollow area having an outer peripheral wall portion having a generally octagonal configuration, the wall portion including a first pair of opposed cassette support elements and a second pair of opposed cassette support elements, the cassette having a body configured to matingly fit the hollow area and having means to engage the rim to suspend the cassette from the rim.

In a specific example of implementation, the cassette including a plurality spaced apart projecting elements configured for engaging the first and second pairs oi opposed cassette support elements. The cassette has a generally octagonal configuration including minor sides and major sides, the minor sides being shorter than the major sides, the projecting elements being associated with minor sides of the cassette. The plurality of spaced apart projecting elements lie in a common imaginary plane.

In a fourth broad aspect, an embodiment of the invention further provides a cassette for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material, for use in a waste storage container, the storage container including a cassette holder, the cassette holder having a component moveable between an opened position and a closed position, the component including a top face and a bottom face generally opposite the top face, the component including an aperture and an elongated projection that extends from the bottom face, the elongated projection extending at partially around the aperture, the elongated projection including a first and second generally opposite and parallel sides, a third side generally transverse to the first and second sides, a fourth side extending obliquely between the first, side and the third side and fifth side extending obliquely between the second side and the third side, cassette comprising:.

In a specific example of implementation of the cassette the gap is configured to dispense the elongated tube of flexible material from the storage area.

In a fifth broad aspect, a waste storage container is provided, including.

In a specific example of implementation of the waste storage container, the plurality of projecting supports include a first pair of generally opposed projecting supports and a second pair of generally opposed projecting supports. The cassette holder defines a generally octagonal recessed area to matingly receive the cassette.

In a sixth broad aspect, a waste storage container for use with a cassette for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material is provided, the waste storage container including:.

In a seventh broad aspect, a refill for a cassette according to the invention is provided, the refill including:.

In a specific example of implementation, the means for retaining are releasable to allow the elongated flexible tube to be dispensed from the receptacle when the cover is mounted to the receptacle. Examples of means for releasing include a tear-away wrapper and/or a plurality of bands encircling the cover and the flexible tube in a collapsed condition.

These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

<FIG> illustrate a cassette <NUM> and various elements of the cassette <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The cassette <NUM> includes a receptacle <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> defines a storage area <NUM> for holding an elongated tube of flexible material (not illustrated). The tube is collapsed (e.g., folded) to fit into the storage area <NUM>. The tube would typically be round in cross-section but that is not essential. The tube could have other shapes as well, such as oval, rectangular, etc..

The receptacle <NUM> is ring-shaped. For the purpose of this specification ring-shape means a closed figure. Specific examples include an annular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular or square shape, hexagonal, octagonal, and/or any other polygonal closed figure shape. The receptacle <NUM> has an inner wall <NUM> defining a central, generally vertically extending opening <NUM>. The opening is octagonal having four major sides (longer sides) and four minor sides (shorter sides). The receptacle <NUM> also includes an outer wall <NUM> that is laterally outwardly spaced apart from the inner wall <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> is also octagonal and has major sides and minor sides.

A bottom portion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> connects the inner wall <NUM> and outer wall <NUM>. In other words, the ring-shaped receptacle <NUM> defines the central opening <NUM>, which extends along a generally vertical axis and also defines the storage area <NUM> for receiving the elongated tube of flexible material in a collapsed (e.g., folded) condition outward of the central opening <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>, the ring shaped receptacle <NUM> has a clearance <NUM> that is located outwardly of an imaginary projection of the inner wall <NUM> extending downwardly along the vertical axis. In a specific example of implementation, the clearance <NUM> is formed by an oblique wall <NUM> connecting with the lower end portion <NUM> of the inner wall <NUM> and extending outwardly and downwardly thereform. The oblique wall <NUM> defines a corner <NUM> with the lower end portion of the inner wall <NUM> having an angle O substantially less than <NUM> degrees. The oblique wall <NUM> joins with the outer wall <NUM> through a bottom wall <NUM> that is substantially horizontal. The width of the bottom wall <NUM> is substantially less than the width of the oblique wall <NUM>. In other embodiments, the width of the bottom wall <NUM> may be larger than the width of the oblique wall <NUM> or may be substantially equal. As illustrated, the oblique wall <NUM> forms a chamfer-like structure.

Although, the oblique wall <NUM> is provided on the full periphery of the receptacle <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>, the oblique wall <NUM> may be partial (i.e., not on the full periphery of the opening <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>) in other examples of implementation.

As shown in <FIG>, the oblique wall <NUM> reduces the width of the storage area <NUM> near the bottom <NUM> of the storage area <NUM>. The storage area <NUM> defines a first portion <NUM> that is located laterally outward of the oblique wall <NUM> and that vertically registers with the oblique wall <NUM> having a reduced width relative a second portion <NUM> of the storage area <NUM> located above the first portion <NUM> and above the oblique wall <NUM>. In other embodiments, the clearance <NUM> and the oblique wall <NUM> may be omitted and in such cases the bottom portion <NUM> comprises the bottom wall <NUM>. In other words, the bottom portion would be formed by a horizontal flat wall only.

The cassette <NUM> includes a cover <NUM> that is located above the storage area <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is designed to maintain the elongated tube (not illustrated) into the storage area <NUM> while allowing the tube to be dispensed therefrom in a controlled fashion. The cover <NUM> has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the receptacle <NUM>, that is it is octagonal, however that is not essential. It is possible to use a cover that is of a different shape than the shape of the receptacle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover <NUM> has a top portion <NUM> that merges with a central funnel-like structure <NUM>. The funnel-like structure <NUM> has downwardly descending wall portion <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is releasably attached to the top of the inner wall <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> by the downwardly descending wall portion <NUM> by a mechanical fastener or otherwise. In other embodiments, the cover <NUM> is non-removable from the receptacle <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> also includes an outer peripheral wall <NUM> defined by an upturned lip <NUM>. The lip <NUM> is laterally inwardly located from the upper peripheral edge <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> to define a gap <NUM> that extends along the entire periphery of the lip <NUM> to allow the accumulated tube in the storage area to be dispensed. In other words, the top peripheral edge of the outer peripheral wall <NUM> and the top peripheral edge <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> define the gap <NUM>, in this embodiment. In other embodiments, the gap <NUM> may be defined around the top peripheral edge <NUM> of the inner wall <NUM> and in such cases a cover may be releasably or non-releasably attached to the top peripheral edge <NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. Yet, in other embodiments of the cassette <NUM>, the cover <NUM> may be omitted, and is such cases the gap <NUM> is defined by the top peripheral edges <NUM><NUM> of the outer wall <NUM> and the inner wall <NUM>. In even further embodiments, the funnel-like structure <NUM> of the cover <NUM> and/or the upturned lip <NUM> may be omitted. It is appreciated that the cover <NUM> may be made in numerous ways in various embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated, the shape of the cassette <NUM> is octagonal but that is a specific example of implementation. In this specific example, the cassette <NUM> has eight sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. The four sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are the ones located at the corner and may be referred to as the minor sides, while the other sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> may be referred to as the major sides. As illustrated, the minor sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are shorter than the major sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. In other examples of implementation, the length of each of four sides <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may be longer in length in comparison to the length of each of the other four sides <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>. Yet, in other cases, the length of all of the sides <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM> may be substantially equal in length.

In other examples of implementation, the cassette <NUM> may be generally square, rectangular, circular, hexagon shaped, oval shaped, any combination of the aforementioned shapes and/or any other suitable shape. Similarly, although the opening <NUM> is illustrated as a generally octagonal shape, the dimensions of the opening <NUM> may take on various sizes and shapes in examples of implementation. For example, the opening <NUM> may be generally square, rectangular, circular, hexagon shaped, octagon shaped, any combination of the aforementioned shapes and/or any other suitable shape. It is appreciated that the cover <NUM> may generally take the corresponding shape of the opening <NUM> on one side and the corresponding shape of the outer sidewall <NUM> on the other side.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a waste container <NUM> and various elements of the waste storage container <NUM> in which the cassette <NUM> described earlier is used, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the waste container <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a main body <NUM> that engages with the base <NUM> to form a bin <NUM> for holding the waste enclosed in the tube. The bin <NUM> has outer walls defining an enclosure, which holds the waste-filled tube. Although in this embodiment, the bin <NUM> includes two parts (i.e., the base <NUM> and the main body <NUM>), in other embodiments, the bin <NUM> may be one piece. In this embodiment, the waste storage container <NUM> also includes a closure assembly <NUM>, which incorporates a cassette holder <NUM> and a top portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate various elements of the closure assembly <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The closure assembly <NUM> engages with the upper end of the body <NUM> to form an upper wall of the bin <NUM> to hold the bin <NUM> closed. The closure assembly <NUM> defines a cassette holder <NUM> configured for receiving the cassette <NUM>.

The closure assembly <NUM> includes a top portion <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the top portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> is removably mountable on the cassette holder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The top portion <NUM> of the closure assembly <NUM> defines a structure for guiding waste material to be disposed into the central opening <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>. In a specific example of implementation, the structure for guiding the waste material is shaped as a funnel <NUM> having a wider opening at the top <NUM> that narrows toward a central opening <NUM> that registers with the central opening <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>. In this example, the periphery of the bottom edge <NUM> of the funnel <NUM> defines the central opening <NUM>.

The funnel <NUM> and the central opening <NUM> form essentially a chute through which the waste to be disposed of is pushed into the bin <NUM>. Although not shown in the drawings, the chute may include a hinged, sliding or pivotable barrier to maintain the chute closed while no waste is being discarded. The barrier is configured to open when waste is to be inserted through chute.

The shape of the central opening <NUM> generally matches the shape of the central opening <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> or is slightly smaller such as to avoid the cassette <NUM> from being exposed to waste material being pushed into the chute. If the central opening <NUM> of the top portion <NUM> of the closure mechanism <NUM> was made larger than the central opening <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>, the cassette <NUM> would project into the path of the disposed waste which would be undesirable. A most preferred arrangement is one where an aperture, defined by the openings <NUM> and <NUM>, into which the waste is being placed by the user is essentially vertical without any significant inward projections on which waste can collect. Although the opening <NUM> is illustrated as a generally octagonal, the opening <NUM> may take on various sizes and shapes, in other examples of implementation. For example, the opening <NUM> may be generally square, rectangular, circular, hexagon shaped, octagon shaped, any combination of the aforementioned shapes and/or any other suitable shape.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the funnel <NUM> is pivotally mounted to the top portion <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> shows the case where the funnel <NUM> is in a closed position, overlying the cassette, while <FIG> shows the case where the funnel <NUM> is in an open position. In this fashion, the pivotal connection allows opening the closure assembly <NUM> for removing a spent cassette <NUM> and installation of a new cassette (refill). In this specific example, the funnel <NUM> is hingedly attached to the top portion <NUM> by the hinge member <NUM> such that the funnel <NUM> can be pivoted; however in other cases, other mechanisms may be provided for attaching the funnel <NUM> to the top portion <NUM>.

The funnel <NUM>, when closed down is configured to engage the cassette <NUM> such as to keep the cassette <NUM> firmly in place against motion forces resulting from a user pulling the tube and placing waste into it and also to provide some additional retention to the dispensing of the tube and avoid that too much tube length is being pulled (i.e., more than necessary). The lower side <NUM> of the funnel <NUM> has a structure designed to engage the cassette <NUM>. The funnel <NUM> has a downward projection <NUM> that is configured to enter the gap <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> through which the tube is dispensed. In this fashion, the tube is constrained to slide against the projection <NUM> as it is being dispensed and requires some additional level of pulling force thus avoiding dispensing too much length. In a specific example of implementation, the downward projection <NUM> is a continuous wall portion <NUM> that penetrates the gap <NUM> over a significant portion of its length. Even more specifically, in this example, the continuous wall portion <NUM> has the same general configuration as the gap of the cassette such as to mate with it. The continuous wall portion <NUM> engages five out of eight sides of the gap <NUM>, but more less extent of engagement is possible. As illustrated, in <FIG>, the wall <NUM> tapers upwardly at its ends. The depth of penetration of the downward projection <NUM> into the gap <NUM> is selected to account for a variable height of flexible tubing stack in the receptacle <NUM>, as flexible tubing is being dispensed in use. In other words, the depth of penetration needs not be to much to prevent the funnel <NUM> of being closed when a new cassette, in which the flexible tubing stack is at its maximum.

The wall <NUM> is spaced inwardly from the periphery of the funnel <NUM> to provide a flange <NUM> that extends continuously around the periphery of the funnel <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is designed to further engage the cassette <NUM> and to hold it in place once the funnel <NUM> is closed, as it will be discussed below.

When the funnel <NUM> is opened (as shown in <FIG>) or when the top portion <NUM> is removed completely from the cassette holder <NUM>, the rim portion <NUM> of the cassette holder <NUM> is exposed. In that operational state of the closure assembly <NUM>, a spent cassette can be removed and a new cassette can be loaded.

The rim portion <NUM> is configured to matingly engage the cassette <NUM> such that the cassette <NUM> is securely held in place. In a specific example of implementation, the cassette <NUM> is suspended from the rim portion; in other words, the cassette <NUM> is not supported by its bottom.

The rim portion <NUM> defines a hollow area <NUM> having an outer peripheral wall portion that is complementary to the shape of the cassette <NUM>. The wall portion has a first pair of opposed cassette support elements and a second pair of opposed cassette support elements. The first and second pair of cassette support elements include inwardly extending projections <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> that are used to hold the cassette.

In a specific example, the outer peripheral wall of the hollow area <NUM> of the cassette holder <NUM> is has a generally octagonal configuration, including the first pair of opposed cassette support elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the second pair of opposed cassette support elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>.

The peripheral wall has generally straight sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> that generally correspond in length to the major sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the cassette and corners <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> that correspond in length generally to the minor sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the cassette <NUM>. The generally straight sides are parallel in pairs, that is the sides <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM> are substantially parallel with each other and the sides <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM> are parallel with each other. The corners <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are also parallel in pairs, that is the corners <NUM>, and <NUM><NUM> are parallel with each other and the corners <NUM><NUM> and <NUM><NUM> are parallel with each other.

This allows for the hollow space <NUM> to receive the cassette <NUM> without any major clearances between the cassette <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. In other embodiments, such as the one shown in <FIG>, the cassette <NUM>' (a variant of the cassette <NUM>) is shaped such that larger clearances <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> exist between the cassette <NUM> and the rim <NUM>.

To prevent the cassette <NUM> from falling through the opening <NUM> in the rim <NUM> the cassette <NUM> includes a plurality of projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> that are configured to engage the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the cassette holder <NUM>. In other words, the plurality of projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are provided in a spaced apart relationship, where the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> extend from a periphery of the cassette <NUM> and are configured to support the cassette <NUM> in the waste storage container <NUM>. In the specific example illustrated, the plurality of projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> lie in a common imaginary plane, which is generally horizontal. Furthermore, in this example, the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are generally equally spaced around the periphery of the cassette <NUM>.

In accordance with a specific example of implementation, each of the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> has an extent in a peripheral direction of the cassette <NUM> that is significantly larger than a thickness of the projecting element <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> measured along the vertical axis.

Although in the embodiment illustrated, the plurality of projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> is shown as four, in other examples of implementation, the number of projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> may be more or less than four. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the plane from with plurality of projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> lie may not be a common imaginary plane and the direction of projection may vary from the horizontal plane (e.g., projects in an inclining or declining fashion from the horizontal plane). Moreover, in other embodiments, the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are not equally spaced around the periphery of the cassette <NUM>, but are provided in a staggered orientation.

By way of a specific and non-limiting example, the projecting clements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are defined by a continuous lip <NUM> with extends outwardly from the outer wall. The lip <NUM> has a variable width along the periphery of the receptacle and it is less wide at the major sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and wider at the minor sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> such as to create an interference with the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. As such, the lip <NUM> that projects outwardly from the cassette <NUM>, extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the cassette <NUM> and has a variable projection width. It is appreciated that in this example, when the cassette <NUM> is loaded in the closure assembly <NUM>, the lip portions at the minor sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> will rest on top of the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. In this fashion, the lip <NUM> suspends the cassette <NUM>.

To further stabilize the cassette <NUM> in place, an interlock is provided between the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. In a specific example of implementation, the interlock includes a male/female interconnection. The male part <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the interlock is formed on the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the female part <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> on the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> such that when the cassette <NUM> is placed in the opening <NUM> of the cassette holder <NUM>, the male parts <NUM>, <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> will engage the female parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. In other embodiments, the male part <NUM>, <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the interlock is formed on the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the female part <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> on the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. Although the in embodiment illustrated the interlock is provided between each of the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>, in other embodiments, not all of the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> include the interlock. As such, at least one of the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> includes a male or female interlocking component configured to engage a complementary male or female interlocking component in the waste storage container <NUM>. In a specific example, the interlocking component of at least one of the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> is a female interlocking component.

As an example, the male parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> can be made as tongues that extend generally parallel to the minor sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and they are shorter than the minor sides <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the cassette <NUM>. The female parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> receive the tongues. For instance the female parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> can be slots which are complementary to the tongues (as shown in <FIG>). In other words, the interlocking component of one or more of the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> is an elongated slot configured for receiving a male interlocking component in the waste storage container <NUM>. Alternatively, the female parts <NUM><NUM>' <NUM><NUM>' <NUM><NUM>' <NUM><NUM>' can be cut outs or clearances that are larger than the tongues and simply clear the tongues (as shown in <FIG>). Another example is a blind recess <NUM><NUM>" <NUM><NUM>" <NUM><NUM>" <NUM><NUM>" instead of a through hole (as shown in <FIG>).

The projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> are located closer to the upper end of the cassette <NUM> than to its bottom such that the cassette <NUM> cannot be installed upside down. If the cassette <NUM> is attempted to be installed upside down, the lip <NUM> defined by the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> will engage the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> but the funnel <NUM> will not be able to be closed which will make it clear to the user that the cassette <NUM> is improperly installed.

In this embodiment, when the funnel <NUM> is closed (e.g., as shown in <FIG>) the flange <NUM> of the funnel <NUM> rests on top of the male projecting parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> preventing the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> to be lifted off the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>. In the example shown, the flange <NUM> will engage the tops of the tongues of the male projecting parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM>.

Another option is to provide in the flange <NUM> recesses (not illustrated) that register with the tongues of the male projecting parts <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> such that they are received in the recesses when the funnel <NUM> is closed. In this fashion, the flange <NUM> bears directly on the lip <NUM> defined by the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the cassette <NUM> to bring even more stability.

The male/female interlock engagement can obviously vary and may include rounded pins and complementary holes and any other combinations of shapes. The arrangement may also be such as to require the cassette <NUM> to be placed in a specific angular orientation, in other words, locate a specific projecting element of the cassette in a specific projecting support on the rim.

In this embodiment, the closure assembly <NUM> may also include a spring-biased lid <NUM>, which is hingedly attached to the top portion <NUM> by the hinge member <NUM> such that the lid <NUM> can be opened to provide the user access to the funnel, for example to dispose of waste materials. An actuator <NUM> is shown in the form of a button which keeps the lid <NUM> closed (e.g., <FIG>). When a user actuates the actuator (e.g., pushes the button) this causes the lid <NUM> to move from a closed position (e.g., <FIG>) to an open position (e.g., <FIG>).

<FIG> is a flowchart for a method <NUM> of replacing a cassette in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. When the cassette is empty the user takes a new cassette (refill) and removes the tear band <NUM>, if equipped to open the gap <NUM> (step <NUM>). The closure assembly <NUM> is opened by lifting the funnel <NUM> to expose the old cassette <NUM> (step <NUM>). The old cassette <NUM> is removed (step <NUM>) and a new one put in place (step <NUM>). The lip <NUM> defined by the projecting elements <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> of the cassette <NUM> rests on the projecting supports <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> <NUM><NUM> and the male/female interlocks engage. The tube is prepared for use (e.g., a knot may be tied in the end portion to form a bag and is inserted into the opening <NUM> of the funnel <NUM> and into the enclosure of the bin <NUM>) and the funnel <NUM> is closed (step <NUM>).

A method for installing a cassette <NUM> where a cassette is not currently present in the cassette holder <NUM> would follow a similar process to that of method <NUM>; however, the step of removing an old cassette would be omitted in such case.

Instead of using a new cassette that is identical to the spent cassette, a refill can be considered that uses one or more components of the spent cassette. Such a refill is shown in <FIG>. The refill <NUM> has no receptacle <NUM>, in other words the original receptacle <NUM> is being re-used. The refill <NUM> has a replacement cover <NUM> to which a length of elongated tubing <NUM> in an accumulated or pleated condition is attached to the cover <NUM>. The pleats of the tube <NUM> can be retained to one another to prevent the tube <NUM> from unraveling before it is being installed in the old receptacle <NUM>. This can be accomplished by a plurality of tear-away bands <NUM> that hold the tube against the cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is put on the old receptacle <NUM> (after the old cover is removed) and the tear-away bands <NUM> are removed to release the tube <NUM>, that can now be pulled out of the gap and used for receiving waste.

Another example, is that of refill <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The refill <NUM> is provided without the receptacle <NUM>, in other words the original receptacle <NUM> is also being re-used. The refill <NUM> has a tube support portion <NUM> having a cover part <NUM> with a depending vertical wall <NUM> that defines a tubular structure dimensioned to slip over the inner wall <NUM> of the original receptacle. A connecting element <NUM> engages the top peripheral edge <NUM> of the inner wall <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> and to hold the refill <NUM> in place when installed in the receptacle <NUM>. A layer of shrink-wrap <NUM> or other suitable material holds the tube <NUM> against the vertical wall <NUM>. The shrink-wrap prevents the tube <NUM> from unraveling before it is being installed in the old receptacle <NUM>. Once the refill <NUM> is put into the old receptacle <NUM> and the shrink-wrap <NUM> is removed, the cassette so re-loaded is ready for use. The shrink-wrap can be removed by providing a suitable tear-band (not illustrated).

It is appreciated that the cassette <NUM> and the waste container <NUM> may be used to dispose of various waste materials including but not limited to disposable baby diapers, cat litter, animal feces, garbage, other soiled materials, or any other suitable waste materials/objects.

In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.

Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of some embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claim 1:
A cassette (<NUM>) for packing waste material into an elongated tube of flexible material, the cassette comprising:
(a) a ring-shaped receptacle (<NUM>) defining a central opening (<NUM>), the central opening extending along a generally vertical axis, the ring-shaped receptacle defining a storage area (<NUM>) for receiving a length of the elongated tube of flexible material in a folded or collapsed condition outward of the central opening;
(b) a plurality of projecting elements (<NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM><NUM>) in a spaced apart relationship, the projecting elements extending from a periphery of the cassette and being configured to support the cassette in a waste storage container and to suspend the cassette.