Waste storage device

Abstract

A sealing mechanism for a waste storage container includes a waste storage container that has a body, a lid and a cartridge adapted to be positioned in the body. The cartridge has a continuous length of storage film therein. The storage film emanates through a gap between a rim and a core tube of the cartridge and is folded down through a core opening in the core tube into an interior space of the body of the waste storage container. The sealing mechanism includes an actuator accessible from outside the body, a gear assembly operably connected to the actuator, a retaining assembly that holds stationary a dispensed portion of the storage film in the interior space of the body during a twist-closure operation, and a plunger operably connected to the gear assembly

Claims

1. A cartridge for holding waste, comprising: a cartridge body defining an outer circumference, said cartridge having a ring shape with a center opening; a continuous length of film that extends through said center opening; wherein said cartridge has a gear extending from said outer circumference enabling at least one of said cartridge and said film to be rotatable.

2. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 1, wherein said gear is on a middle portion of said outer circumference of said cartridge body.

3. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 1, wherein said gear extending from said outer circumference is on a top surface of said cartridge body.

4. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 1, wherein said gear extending from said outer circumference is on a bottom surface of said cartridge body.

5. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 1, wherein said gear has at least one of a protrusion, a depression, and an aperture.

6. A cartridge for holding waste, comprising: a cartridge body having a ring shape, said cartridge body having an inner wall defining a central opening, and an outer wall opposite said inner wall, said outer wall having a plurality of ridges extending vertically along at least a portion of said outer wall; a continuous length of film stored within said cartridge body; and a cartridge top that at least partially contains said film within said cartridge body, said cartridge top having a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of slits and/or apertures, said cartridge top extending from one of said outer wall and said inner wall thereby defining a gap such that said film can be dispensed out of said cartridge body and through said central opening.

7. The cartridge for holding waste according to claim 6, wherein said outer wall further comprises a retention structure.

8. The cartridge for holding waste according to claim 6, wherein said cartridge top is beveled.

9. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 6, wherein said cartridge top at least partially contains film within said cartridge body about an outer periphery of said cartridge body.

10. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 6, wherein said film is dispensed adjacent said cartridge top proximal to said center opening.

11. A cartridge for holding waste, comprising: a cartridge body having a ring shape, said cartridge body having an inner wall defining a central opening, and an outer wall opposite said inner wall, said outer wall having a plurality of ridges; a continuous length of film stored within said cartridge body; and a film grip ring that at least partially contacts said film and contains said film within said cartridge body, said film grip ring is attachable to said cartridge body and controls release of said film through said central opening, wherein said film grip ring comprises a plurality of slits and/or apertures.

12. The cartridge for holding waste according to claim 11, wherein said outer wall further comprises a retention structure.

13. The cartridge for holding waste of claim 11, wherein said film is dispensed adjacent said film grip ring proximal to said center opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete appreciation of the invention and the advantages thereof will be more readily apparent by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plane view of a waste storage device having the sealing mechanism of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plane view of a portion of the sealing mechanism of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the waste storage device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of the waste storage device of FIG. 1 without the lid;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of a waste storage device having a second embodiment of the sealing mechanism of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of a portion of the sealing mechanism of FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the waste storage device of FIG. 5 with the lid closed;

(9) FIG. 8 is an elevational side view of one embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a refill cassette embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of the refill cassette of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the refill twister apparatus;

(14) FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the refill twister embodiment of FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a sectional view of an extended plunger mechanism embodiment;

(16) FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an automated waste storage device embodiment of the invention;

(17) FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention showing a oor/drawer-like access to the interior of the storage compartment of the device;

(18) FIG. 17 is a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of the upper portion of a motorized device of the invention showing a retention mechanism and the cassette in place, wherein the motor is place in the rear of the device;

(19) FIG. 18 is a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of a electronic device of the present invention comprising a motor, cassette, retention means and impulse heat sealer of the invention;

(20) FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of the interior of a device of the invention showing a power switch, motor and electrical parts for rotating a cassette;

(21) FIG. 20 shows the device of FIG. 19 provided with an access door for easy access to the waste storage compartment;

(22) FIG. 21 shows a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of a device of the invention adapted with a roller mechanism;

(23) FIG. 22 depicts a general cassette having application to a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical twisting mechanism of the present invention;

(24) FIG. 23 depicts a device of the invention showing a waste package retention portion attached to the bottom portion of the cassette; and

(25) FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the rotation mechanism comprises a gear rack for engaging with the cassette during rotation is provided on the retention mechanism

(26) FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the device is provided with an electrically operated turntable at the base of the container for twisting and sealing the waste package.

(27) FIG. 26 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the device is provided with a mechanical turntable at the base of the container which can be operated manually.

(28) It is notable that like items depicted in different figures may be referred to by the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(29) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a waste storage device having the sealing mechanism of the present invention, generally represented by reference numeral 10.

(30) Waste storage device 10 has a body 100, a lid 120, a storage film cassette 130, a film ring 140 and a sealing mechanism 200. Body 100 has a base 105, an inner volume 110, front and rear portions 102, 104, and upper and lower portions 106, 108. Body 100 is substantially cylindrical in shape to maximize inner volume 110. However, alternative shapes for body 100 can also be used including rectangular or cubical. Lower portion 108 of body 100 has an indentation or pedal housing 115 that will be described later in greater detail. Preferably, pedal housing 115 is positioned along front portion 102.

(31) Lid 120 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a diameter substantially the same size as the diameter of body 100 to provide a sealing engagement of the lid with the body along upper portion 106. If an alternative shape of body 100 is used, such as rectangular or cubical, then the corresponding shape would also be used for lid 120 to provide a sealing engagement of the lid and the body along upper portion 106. Lid 120 is pivotally connected to body 100 by lid hinge 125. Preferably, lid hinge 125 is positioned along rear portion 104.

(32) Lid 120 has a lid slot 127 formed therein. Lid slot 127 is a u-shaped channel that is operably connected to sealing mechanism 200 to allow a user to open and close lid 120, which will be discussed later in greater detail.

(33) Body 100 further has a cassette flange 117 with a center hole 118 and a circular wall 119. Flange 117 is circumferentially formed along the inner wall of body 100 in proximity to upper portion 106. Flange 117 engages with a clutch 270 of sealing mechanism 200, which will be discussed later in greater detail. Center hole 118 provides a support for clutch 270 and for cassette 130, which is seated on the clutch. Circular wall 119 extends substantially vertically upward from flange 117. As used herein, vertical refers to the direction between upper and lower portions 106, 108, which is substantially parallel with the sidewalls defining body 100. Horizontal refers to the direction between front and rear portions 102, 104, which is substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls defining body 100. Circular wall 119 has a diameter larger than the diameter of cassette 100. Circular wall 119 provides support for cassette 130 to prevent it from moving in a horizontal direction yet allowing it to rotate in center hole 118. Cassette 130 preferably has a cylindrical or ring-like shape with a center opening 132. Film 135 is a continuous sheet of film having a cylindrical shape that is stored in cassette 130. Cassette 130 also has a film ring 140 that is positioned in center opening 132. Film 135 is dispensed from the top of cassette 130 over the outside of film ring 140 and then down through the film ring and down through center opening 132 into inner volume 110. Film 135 is tied off or sealed at lower end 137 of the film in inner volume 110 to provide a storage volume 138. As will be discussed later in greater detail, in the preferred embodiment, after a diaper is inserted in storage volume 138, sealing mechanism 200 rotates cassette 130 to seal film upper end 139.

(34) Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a sealing mechanism 200 of the present invention is shown. Sealing mechanism 200 has an actuator 210 a foot pedal linkage 225, a rack linkage 230, a rack gear 260, a clutch 270 and a biasing mechanism 280. In the preferred embodiment, actuator 210 is a foot pedal and is angled downward for facilitating operation by a user's foot. Pedal 210 protrudes out from body 100 through pedal orifice 116 and into pedal housing 115. Pedal housing 115 has a height that allows a user to slide his or her foot into the housing and onto pedal 210. Pedal 210 is pivotally connected to base 105 of body 100 at pedal pivot 215. This pivotal connection translates the user's downward force into an upward force for opening lid 120.

(35) Pedal 210 is pivotally connected to foot pedal linkage 225 at pedal linkage pivot 220. This pivotal connection translates the rotational movement of pedal 210 into a substantially vertical movement of pedal linkage 225. Pedal linkage 225 extends substantially vertically from lower portion 108 of body 100, through flange opening 227, through upper portion 106 of body 100, to lid 120. Pedal linkage 225 is pivotally secured to lid 120 such that an upward force along the pedal linkage causes the lid to rotate about lid hinge 125. In this embodiment, pedal linkage 225 is operably connected to lid 120 by lid slot 127 and lid tongue 250. Lid slot 127 is preferably an unshaped channel formed in lid 120. Lid tongue 250 is preferably a cylindrical tongue that engages with lid slot 127. Preferably, lid tongue 250 has a cap to secure the tongue in lid slot 127.

(36) Pedal linkage 225 is also pivotally connected to rack linkage 230 at rack pivot 235. Rack linkage 230 is pivotally connected to rack gear 260 at rack pivot 240. The pivotal connections at rack pivots 235, 240 translate the substantially vertical movement of pedal linkage 225 into a substantially horizontal movement of rack linkage 230 and rack gear 260.

(37) Rack gear 260 is operably connected to clutch 270 so that a horizontal movement of the rack gear causes the clutch to rotate. In this embodiment, clutch 270 has gears (not shown) that engage with gears 262 of rack gear 260. Rack gear 260 is further connected to a biasing mechanism 280 positioned on the opposite end of the rack gear from rack pivot 240. In this embodiment, biasing mechanism 280 is a coil spring that biases rack gear 260 toward rear portion 104 of body 100.

(38) Clutch 270 is removably connected to cartridge 130. Clutch 270 is a one-way clutch that only permits rotation of cartridge 130 in one direction. Thus, rack gear 260 can horizontally move in two directions and clutch 270 can rotationally move in two directions. However, cassette 130 can only rotate in one direction.

(39) In operation, when a user depresses pedal 210, pedal linkage 225 moves in an upward direction. This upward movement of pedal linkage 225 causes lid 120 to rotate about lid hinge 125 toward rear portion 104 of body 100. Thus, depressing pedal 210 causes the lid to open.

(40) Simultaneously, the upward movement of pedal linkage 225 causes rack linkage 230 to move substantially horizontally toward front portion 102 of body 100. This causes rack gear 260 to move horizontally toward front portion 102. Rack gear 260 is operably connected to clutch 270, which causes the clutch to rotate in a first direction. Cassette 130 remains stationary because clutch 270 is a one-way clutch and prevents the cassette from rotating in this first direction. The horizontal movement of rack gear 260 towards front portion 102 also causes spring 280 to compress.

(41) With lid 120 in an open position and storage volume 138 accessible to the user, waste storage, such as a diaper, can be inserted through film ring 140 into the storage volume. The user then releases pedal 210 to commence the sealing operation. The force of compressed spring 280 against rack gear 260 causes the rack gear to horizontally move back toward rear portion 104. The horizontal movement of rack gear 260 toward rear portion 104 causes clutch 270 to rotate in a second, opposite direction. Cassette 130 rotates in this second direction. The rotation of cassette 130 causes film 135 to tie off or seal near film upper end 139. Thus, release of pedal 210 causes sealing mechanism 200 to seal film 135.

(42) Simultaneously, the horizontal movement of rack gear 260 toward rear portion 104 causes rack linkage 230 to move toward rear portion 104. The horizontal movement of rack linkage 230 toward rear portion 104 causes movement of pedal linkage 225 in a substantially downward direction toward base 105. The movement of pedal linkage 225 in a substantially downward direction causes lid 120 to rotate about lid hinge 125 toward front portion 102. Thus, release of pedal 210 causes sealing mechanism to close lid 120.

(43) Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, in an alternative embodiment, sealing mechanism 200 also has a locking mechanism 300. Locking mechanism 300 is operably connected to spring 280. When a user first actuates pedal 210 causing rack gear 260 to move toward front portion 102 and compressing spring 280, locking mechanism 300 is triggered and locks spring 280 in a compressed position. Thus, lid 120 remains in an open position and a user can release his or her foot from pedal 210. When a user actuates pedal 210 for a second time causing rack gear 260 to move further toward front portion 102 and further compressing spring 280, locking mechanism 300 is again triggered and unlocks spring 280 from a compressed position. Rack gear 260 is moved back toward rear portion 104 under the force of spring 280 causing rotation of clutch 270 and cassette 130, as well as downward movement of pedal linkage 225. Thus, film 135 is sealed by the rotation of cassette 130 and lid 120 is closed by the downward movement of pedal linkage 225. Pedal 210 returns to its upper position for the sealing operation to be repeated by a first and second downward depression of the pedal.

(44) The automated twist waste disposal apparatus useful for sequestering waste packets such as diapers in twist sealable flexible tubing is illustrated in one embodiment of the invention by taking reference to FIGS. 8 through 12.

(45) Referring to FIG. 8, a waste container 310 is shown comprising a lower or waste storing bin compartment 315 and an upper lid or head compartment 320 with an optional activation start button 305.

(46) The disposal device 310 comprises a top or lid portion 320, which comprises hingedly attached and latch-secured pivoting lid or cover configuration and a bottom or bin portion 315, comprising an approximately cylindrical or cone-like shape.

(47) In FIG. 9, the lid portion 320 is shown to contain an apparatus for automatic control of twisting and lowering of tubing below the refill cassette, the apparatus comprising an upper body portion 321 and a lower body portion 322. More specifically, the lid 320 houses or contains the apparatus upper body 321, comprising an electronic motor-driven control gear assembly 410, an actuator 345, a rotatory grip is a ring or refill twister 334 for contacting and rotating the tubing refill cassette body 350 effectively twisting the flexible tubing 352 which emanates through a gap 354 between the rim 357 of the cassette 350 and the core tube 361, and is folded down through the open cassette tube core area 351 into the interior bin space 316 as partially shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

(48) The lower body of apparatus 322 encompasses the removable refill cassette 350 (FIG. 10) as well as a retaining means or spring assembly 355 positioned to hold the flexible tubing 352 which encloses a waste pack (not shown) in the bin space 316 during the twist-closure operation. The tubing cassette 350 houses a length of tubing material 352 for sequestering the waste packets sequentially in the waste bin space 316.

(49) A lid 320 secured by a hinge 381 to the waste bin 315 includes a latch 382. The waste bin 316 also includes a hinged base 319 for providing access to the lower interior of the second waste bin 316. The hinged base 319 (FIG. 9) includes a latch (not shown) for securing the hinged base 319 in a closed position (FIG. 11).

(50) The bottom rim 358 of the tubing refill cassette body 350 rests on a flange support or holding ring 370 which is affixed to the internal wall side of the bin 315 of the device 310. The flexible tubing material 352 is stored in a continuously folded manner in the tubing storage compartment 359 of the cassette 350.

(51) Referring to FIG. 12, the apparatus embodiment of the gear assembly 410 in a housing or cap structure 455 of the upper body portion 321 of the electronic motor-driving apparatus 330 has a motor 347 located near the gear idler 325, which motor 347 is started when the manually depressed button 305 on the lid 315 makes contact with the switch 395. The first action of the motor-driven gear assembly causes rotation of the refill twister 334 comprising a tubular ring structure 336 which exhibits a notched bottom surface 430 that is situated to make contact with the top ring or collar of the refill cassette 350 so as to propel the cassette into rotational motion. The tubular ring structure 336 is provided with a ridge 450.

(52) Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, an embodiment of the invention is represented showing a scissor link assembly 420 linked to a scissor link connecting linkage or slideable U-joint type linkage 415. The pinion is saddled on a radially positioned carrier device 338 with a bracket 425 while at one point attached to a linkage 420 connecting assembly holder 415, and at another point attached to a drive rod 435. The drive rod 435 comprising a screw-like wound surface is inserted into the nut-type center of the which can be centrally moved along the radially positioned carrier device 338 by the revolutions of the screw-type positioning rod so that the drive rod 435 rotations cause the scissor link connecting linkage 415 to move towards the center so as to move the plunger plate 440 vertically downward through open central portion 337 of the upper apparatus configuration 321 and the cassette core opening 362.

(53) The twisting operation may further facilitated by the film grip ring 335 which, during the twisting operation, acts as a brake pressing onto the flexible tubing 352 atop the cassette core tube 361, and prevents the tubing 352 from being pulled out of the refill cassette 350 storage compartment 360 during the cassette rotation.

(54) A revolution counting mechanism may optionally provided in an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the revolution counting mechanism can be in the form of an electronic sensing device (not shown), for example, which utilizes a laser beam mechanism. As seen in FIG. 10, a series of small apertures 349 can be incorporated, for example, into the cassette 350 which can be detected by a laser beam as the cassette rotates on a stationary retention mechanism. The small aperture 349 or other types of sensing devices such as strips, bars, and/or motion detecting mechanisms and the like can be applied to the rotating portion of the device for counting the revolutions executed by the rotating system. In this manner, the total number of revolutions required to secure the sealing on the encapsulated waste package can be set on the electronic device and the sealing process can be executed with precision at each time waste is disposed into the device. In this aspect of the invention, the electronic sensing system can be set automatically to control the sealing process. Additionally, this electronic sensing system on the device can also control, for example, the downward motion of the plunger 340.

(55) Referring again to the illustrations of FIGS. 10 and 11, the refill cassette 350 stores the flexible tubing 352 which emanates from the storage compartment 359 through the gap 354 between the rim 357 and the cassette's core tube wall 361 and then fords into the inner core area 362, hanging into the bin space 316 below. The rim 357 is provided with small ridges for effectively engaging the refill twister 334, in particular, the gear surface said refill twister 430 when rotating the cassette 350 and the top portion of the flexible tubing enclosing the diaper deposit (not shown). The cassette further may comprise slits 356 on its upper rim 357 for engaging with the bottom portion of the lid to form a secure fit.

(56) Taking reference again to FIG. 9, the lid portion 320 of this embodiment 310 can be opened by depressing a foot pedal arrangement 365 which acts through a push rod 366 on the hinge assembly 381 of the lid 320, exposing the open core area 362 of the refill cassette 350 for depositing a waste packet.

(57) As further illustrated in FIG. 9, the retention springs 355 are attached to the flange 370 and retain or hold a waste package (not shown) stationary while the rotating refill twister 334 causes the cassette collar or rim 357 to rotate the tubing cassette 350 inducing a twisting motion in the flexible tubing 352. As used herein, the term “retention means” shall include any retention device for retaining or restraining a waste package (not shown). The term shall include, for example, retention devices as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,869,049, 5,590,512, 6,170,240, 6,128,890, 6,370,847, and JP 592039015 (P2000-247401 A), the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

(58) An embodiment of the invention can be further illustrated with reference to FIG. 15. As demonstrated in FIG. 15, the sealing and packaging mechanism of the waste material in the waste storage device is motorized. This device is provided with a pedal 570 for opening the top or lid 500 of the device. Pedal 570 comprises a child-proof mechanism which operates by releasing the spring on the spring-loaded top or lid 500. The spring on the spring-loaded top allows for the top to remain open for a period of time while the device is in used and the spring mechanism closes the lid 500 automatically after the waste material is placed in the tubing. In FIG. 15 the device is provided with a motor 540 which is battery-operated, however, the system can also be powered by alternating (AC) current.

(59) As seen in FIG. 15, the waste storage device can also be provided with a rubber diaphragm rotation mechanism 530 which prevents the backflow or escaping of odors emanating from the waste contained in the storage compartment of the device, and a projecting retention mechanism shown in the drawing in the form of a bar or rod 560 for preventing the bottom portion of the encapsulated waste package 510 from untwisting during the packaging of the another waste material. Thus, the rod 560 operates as an anti-untwisting mechanism a previously encapsulated waste 510. FIG. 15 also shows a push button 520 that can be incorporated into the tubing cutting system of the waste storage device to facilitate the cutting of the tubing prior to disposal of the stored waste. A window 550 can also be designed into the body 505 of the storage compartment for allowing the user to determine when the storage compartment is full.

(60) In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16, the waste storage device, either mechanical or motorized, can be provided in many different sizes and shapes and the body 505 of the storage compartment can be adapted with, for is example a drawer-like space 590 for easy access and emptying of the stored waste and such access can comprise a door 580 with a handle which glides outwardly from the device and can have a secure mechanism for engaging and disengaging with the body of the device.

(61) FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of the motorized waste storage device of the invention. In this aspect of the invention, the motor of the rotation mechanism is placed at the top rear end of the unit for the automatic opening and closure of the lid 500, of course, the motor may be located in other places on or in the container. FIG. 17 also shows an aspect of the invention wherein a plunger 545 comprising part of the lid 500 is pushed downwardly to activate power switch 610 and activate the system Additionally, plunger 545 pushes down the cassette on the retention ledge 535 to make the cassette stationary in the retention mechanism, while the rotation mechanism turns the flexible tubing containing the waste material. Additionally, FIG. 17 shows a rotatable turntable 620 which rests on a flange extending inwardly from the wall of the body 105. Turntable 620 has a center opening for allowing the passage of the tubing with or without waste material, and can also contain toothed structures (not shown) for frictionally engaging with cassette 525. In this aspect of the invention, the retention mechanism also forms part of the rotation mechanism and turntable 620 can rotate the cassette and seal the tubing.

(62) FIG. 18 shows a further aspect of the invention in which an electrical waste storage device is provided with an impulse heat-sealing means 555 adapted to the turntable 620. In this embodiment, the motor 575 is placed on the inner surface of the wall of the body of the device above the turntable 620.

(63) In FIG. 19, an alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the retention mechanism 623 is stationary and is adapted to hold the rotating mechanism comprising a motor 575 with electrical parts and gear as seen in FIG. 19 which forms the mechanism for rotating the cassette 525. The motor 575 is activated by the manual action of closing lid 500 which actuates power switch 610 by the downward movement of the lid 500 on the button 610. FIG. 19 also shows that the central portion of lid 500 can be adapted with a cutting mechanism 585 for trimming the tubing prior to disposal of the waste packages. FIG. 20 shows the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19 further adapted with a door 580 attached to the waste storage compartment designed for easy emptying of the stored waste.

(64) A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 21 in which the waste storage device is provided with a roller means 630 for compacting the waste material and aid in pulling the tubing from the cassette. The roller means 630 can also form part of the retention mechanism and aid in stabilizing the encapsulated waste during rotation while sealing the package.

(65) FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the cassette 525 comprising the tubing is provided with a gear 650 along the outer circumference of the cassette 525 for engaging and to be rotated with the rotation mechanism. In this aspect of the invention, the gear 650 is provided on middle of the exterior surface of the cassette 525, however, the gear 650 can be provided on other parts of the cassette, for example, on the upper or lower rim of the cassette 525. FIG. 22 also shows that the cassette 525 is provided with a frame defining waste passage 655, which is also shown with reference to FIG. 3, 140.

(66) In a further embodiment of the invention, the powered rotation mechanism 575, 650 for rotating the cassette 525 can be provided to the retention mechanism 670 as shown in FIG. 24. In this embodiment, at least one gear can be arranged in the waste container and the cassette 525 is provided with means for securely engaging with the retention mechanism. In this aspect of the invention, the retention mechanism 670 would remain stationary during rotation of the cassette 525.

(67) FIG. 23 illustrates an alternate retention mechanism of the invention. As seen in FIG. 23, retention mechanism 675 is provided to the lid 500 portion of the device below the cassette compartment, and is in the form of a tube which protrudes laterally from the center aperture of the cassette. The retention mechanism aids in preventing the previously encapsulated waste package 510 from untwisting during sealing of the next waste package.

(68) In another embodiment shown with reference to FIG. 25, the waste storage device is provided with a rotating mechanism in the form of a turntable 700 at the base of the device. The turntable 700 is electrically driven to rotate and seal an encapsulated waste product resting on its surface. The turntable 700 can also serve as a retention mechanism during sealing of the waste product. FIG. 26 shows a similar embodiment comprising a turntable 700 as shown in FIG. 25, except that the sealing mechanism can be operated manually.

(69) Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, components in one figure can be combined with components shown in another figure.

(70) Statement Regarding Preferred Embodiments

(71) While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. All documents cited herein are incorporated in their entirety herein.