Baby and adult-safe waste container with bag handling odor control assembly

Abstract

Bag trapping apparatus includes a housing, a cord attached to the housing for enabling the housing to be suspended in a position elevated from an underlying horizontal surface, trapping structure on the housing for removably fixing an open upper end of a bag to the housing, and a slotted membrane through which the bag passes when the open upper end of the bag is trapped by the trapping structure. A bottom closed end of the bag is below the membrane so that waste is insertable into the bag through the membrane. The membrane provides odor control and a barrier. If a drawstring bag is used, a raised ridge may be provided on the housing to secure the drawstring.

Claims

1. A bag trapping apparatus, comprising: a housing; trapping structure on said housing for removably fixing an open upper end of a bag when present to said housing and thereby providing a first engagement between the bag and said housing; a cord, separate from the bag, attached to said housing when the bag is not present for enabling said housing to have a suspended position not in contact with an immediately underlying horizontal surface below said housing when said housing is suspended by said cord, said cord enabling said housing to have the suspended position when said trapping structure is not fixing the bag to said housing; an elongate raised ridge on only one side of said housing, said raised ridge including an aperture through which said cord passes and extensions at opposite longitudinal ends; and a slotted membrane coupled to said housing and through which the bag when present passes when the open upper end of the bag is trapped by said trapping structure, a bottom closed end of the bag being below said membrane when the bag passes through said membrane, wherein said raised ridge is, when the bag is present and said cord passes through the aperture in said raised ridge, configured to further engage with a drawstring of the bag proximate the open upper end of the bag and enable the drawstring to loop over said raised ridge and under said extensions to enable securing of the drawstring to said housing when the bag is present and trapped by said trapping structure and thereby provide a second engagement between the bag and said housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said raised ridge is on a common side of said housing as a location at which said cord is attached to said housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cord is elongate and is attached at a first end region to said housing and defines an aperture at a second end region opposite the first end region having a size to fit around a doorknob of a door or around a hook.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking structure for locking said trapping structure against said housing.

5. A kit including the apparatus of claim 1 and the drawstring bag having a loop of material through a folded-over edge portion of bag material to thereby provide the drawstring.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trapping structure includes a pinch ring pivotally attached at a first location to said housing and having a first open position in which said pinch ring is separated at a second location from a corresponding structure on said housing and a second closed position in which said pinch ring is pivoted against said corresponding structure at the second location to press the bag when present between said pinch ring and said corresponding structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a locking structure for locking said pinch ring against said housing at the second location.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said locking structure comprises a tab on said pinch ring and a retainer on said housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said tab and said retainer are, when engaged, on an opposite side of said housing from a side at which said pinch ring is pivotally attached to said housing and which sides are different than the side on which said raised ridge is situated.

10. A bag trapping apparatus, comprising: a housing; trapping structure on said housing for removably fixing an open upper end of a bag when present to said housing, said trapping structure having a first position in which the open upper end of the bag when present is secured to said housing and a second position in which the open upper end of the bag when present is removable from engagement with said housing; suspending structure, separate from the bag, attached to said housing when the bag is not present for enabling said housing to have a suspended position not in contact with an immediately underlying horizontal surface below said housing when said housing is suspended by said suspending structure; a membrane coupled to said housing and having at least one slot through which the bag when present passes when the open upper end of the bag is trapped by said trapping structure, a bottom closed end of the bag being below said membrane and forming a waste receptacle below said membrane when said housing is suspended by said suspending structure; and an elongate raised ridge on only one side of said housing, said raised ridge being configured to engage with a drawstring of the bag proximate the open upper end of the bag to enable securing of the drawstring to said housing when the bag is trapped by said trapping structure and passes through said membrane, and wherein said raised ridge is elongate and includes extensions at opposite longitudinal ends to enable the drawstring to loop over said raised ridge and under said extensions to enable securing of the drawstring to said housing when the bag is present and trapped by said trapping structure and passes through said membrane.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said raised ridge is on a common side of said housing as a location at which said suspending structure is attached to said housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said raised ridge includes an aperture through which said suspending structure passes.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said suspending structure comprises an elongate strap or cord attached at a first end region to said housing and defining an aperture at a second end region opposite the first end region having a size to fit around a doorknob of a door.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said suspending structure comprises an elongate strap or cord attached at a first end region to said housing and defining an aperture at a second end region opposite the first end region having a size to fit around a hook.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a locking structure for locking said trapping structure against said housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said trapping structure includes a pinch ring pivotally attached at a first location to said housing and having a first open position in which said pinch ring is separated at a second location from a corresponding structure on said housing and a second closed position in which said pinch ring is pivoted against said corresponding structure at the second location to press the bag when present between said pinch ring and said corresponding structure.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a locking structure for locking said pinch ring against said housing at the second location.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said locking structure comprises a tab on said pinch ring and a retainer on said housing.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said tab and said retainer are, when engaged, on an opposite side of said housing from a side at which said pinch ring is pivotally attached to said housing and which sides are different than the side on which said raised ridge is situated.

20. A bag trapping apparatus, comprising: a housing; trapping structure on said housing for removably fixing an open upper end of a bag when present to said housing; a cord, separate from the bag, attached to said housing when the bag is not present for enabling said housing to have a suspended position not in contact with an immediately underlying horizontal surface below said housing when said housing is suspended by said cord; a raised ridge on only one side of said housing, said raised ridge being elongate and including extensions at opposite ends to enable a drawstring of the bag to loop over said raised ridge and under said extensions; and a slotted membrane coupled to said housing and through which the bag when present passes when the open upper end of the bag is trapped by said trapping structure, a bottom closed end of the bag being below said membrane when the bag passes through said membrane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a waste disposal apparatus in accordance with the invention in a hanging position.

(3) FIG. 2 is a view of the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention with the pinch ring in the open position.

(4) FIG. 3 is a view of the flexing of the resilient odor trapping membrane of the waste disposal apparatus to insert a bag therethrough.

(5) FIG. 4 show acceptance of the specific sized drawstring garbage bag inserted through the membrane of the waste disposal apparatus.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view showing looping a portion of the drawstring around the raised ridges.

(7) FIG. 6 is a view showing the portion of the drawstring around the raised ridge prior to trapping the bag with the pinch ring.

(8) FIG. 7 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 6, now trapping the full perimeter of the garbage bag.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the hanging bag trapped by both the pinch ring trapping the bag circumference as well as the drawstring over the raised ridge.

(10) FIG. 8A is a front view of the hanging bag trapped by both the pinch ring trapping the bag circumference as well as the drawstring over the raised ridge.

(11) FIG. 8B is an example of a wall hook from which the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention can be suspended.

(12) FIG. 8C is an example of a doorknob from which the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention can be suspended.

(13) FIG. 8D is a view of the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention hanging on a doorknob with a baby in proximity.

(14) FIG. 9 is partial view showing insertion of waste though the bag and resilient odor barrier membrane of the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention.

(15) FIG. 10 is a view showing the first step for removal of the bag when filled with waste, namely un-hooking the drawstring.

(16) FIG. 11 is a view showing the second step for removal of the bag when filled with waste, namely releasing the locked pivoted pinch ring.

(17) FIG. 12 is a view showing the third step for releasing the bag from both methods of trapping of the bag.

(18) FIGS. 13 and 14 show the knotted bag removed entirely from the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention.

(19) FIG. 15 is a frontal view of the invention showing one raised ridge design with two protruding extensions.

(20) FIG. 16 is yet another view of the waste disposal apparatus in accordance with invention showing the raised ridge design without the protruding extensions.

(21) FIG. 17 is a closer view of the drawstring bag trapped by both the locking pivoting pinch ring and the looped drawstring engaging the raised ridge of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(22) Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements, FIG. 1 illustrates the bag trapping mechanism in accordance with the invention its entirety, comprising a hanging strap or cord 1, a housing 2 which comprises a raised ridge with protruding extensions 3, a bag trapping pivotable locking pinch ring 4 movably connected to the housing 2 and a slotted odor barrier resilient membrane 5 retained by the housing 2. The raised ridge with protruding extensions 3, the pinch ring 4 and membrane 5 may be considered parts of the housing 2 or separate elements.

(23) The strap or cord 1 is often an elongate piece of material thereby inherently having a first end region (at which it is attached or connected to the housing 2) and a second end region opposite the first region, and flexible, forming a loop, often called a lanyard. The strap or cord 1 may have an adjustable loop, which is obtained in a manner known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The strap or cord 1, as well as the attached rope, is preferably no larger a loop than is necessary to secure (at the second end region) the dimensions of a typical door knob (see FIGS. 8C and 8D), so as to prevent unforeseen injury to toddlers or babies, for example. Also, the securely attached rope of the strap or cord 1 is preferably not larger than is necessary to secure the strap or cord 1 (at the first end region) through a hole 1a in a flange of the housing 2 alongside the raised ridge with protruding extensions 3 (see FIG. 16).

(24) The strap or cord may be considered to constitute suspending structure or suspending means which are attached to the housing 2 for enabling the housing 2 to have a suspended position not in contact with an immediately underlying horizontal surface below the housing 2 when the housing 2 is suspended by the suspending structure, e.g., on a doorknob hook or other component or structure elevated from the immediately underlying horizontal surface. All comparable or equivalent structure that performs the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the substantially the same result is considered to be encompassed by the term suspending structure or suspending means.

(25) The housing 2 may be similar to housing of other bag handling assemblies by a common inventor, David M. Stravitz, which bag handling assemblies are disclosed in the patents mentioned above.

(26) The raised ridge with the protruding extensions 3 is situated on one side of the housing 2, what may be considered the top of the housing 1. The strap or cord 1 extends through an aperture in a flange between a main part of the housing 2 and the raised ridge leaving a portion of the protruding extensions on each side of the strap or cord 1. The flange may be planar and flat and extend over only a portion of the length of the top side of the housing 2.

(27) The pinch ring 4 may be similar to the pinch ring of other bag handling assemblies by a common inventor, David M. Stravitz, which pinch rings are disclosed in the patents mentioned above. All features of the pinch rings disclosed in these patents may be provided for the pinch ring 4 herein.

(28) The pinch ring 4 cooperates with structure on the housing 2 to trap a bag when engaged with the bag trapping apparatus in accordance with the invention. This combination of structure, i.e., the pinch ring 4 and cooperating structure, may be considered to constitute bag trapping structure or bag trapping means that removably fix an open upper end of a bag to the housing 2. All comparable or equivalent structure that performs the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the substantially the same result is considered to be encompassed by the term trapping structure or trapping means.

(29) The membrane 5 may be similar to the membrane in or for use in other bag handling assemblies by the common inventor, David M. Stravitz, which membranes are disclosed in the patents mentioned above. All features of the membranes disclosed in these patents may be provided for the membrane 5 herein. Stating that a bag passes through the slotted membrane means that the bag passes through the slots of the membrane defined between folds or part of the membrane that are separated by spaced apart interior walls of the membrane.

(30) FIG. 2 shows the components of FIG. 1 with the pivotable pinch ring 4 in an open state, i.e., pivoted upward about a hinge having cooperating hinge parts on the housing 2 and the pinch ring 4. The pinch ring 4 is maintained in connection with the housing 2 when pivoted into the open position from the closed, bag-pinching position.

(31) In FIG. 3, a drawstring bag 6 is inserted through membrane 5 as one such means to begin to trap the drawstring bag 6 for subsequent double engagement. While it is possible to use a bag without the added drawstring component, the extra level of baby-safe feature (provided by the presence of the drawstring) will be missing. Therefore, this invention specifically preferably includes the need for bags of the drawstring design. As known to those skilled in the art, a drawstring bag typically has a loop of material through a folded-over edge portion of the bag material. FIG. 3 also shows the folds of the membrane 5 separated from one another about separation lines.

(32) Referring to FIGS. 4-7, which continues the methods for double safety, primarily directed to child safety, of the bag trapping mechanism and method. FIG. 4 shows the drawstring bag 6 partially through the membrane 5, i.e., through the space formed when the folds of the membrane 5 are pushed apart from one another, and exposing the drawstring 8 of the drawstring bag 6.

(33) FIG. 5 shows the pinch ring 4 in the open position and the drawstring 8 being looped around both ends of the raised ridge 3. FIG. 6 shows the drawstring 8 looped tightly around the raised ridge 3 that has the added protections of the left and right extensions 3a. The extensions 3a add a level of accidental disengagement prevention of the drawstring 8 from engagement with the raised ridge 3. FIG. 7 shows the pinch ring 4 locked over the drawstring bag 6 with the drawstring 8 looped snugly over the raised ridge 3 in FIG. 5 and under the extensions 3a in FIG. 6.

(34) FIGS. 8 and 8A show two views of the hanging bag trapping mechanism with a drawstring bag 6 and trapped with two means for bag trapping methods. FIG. 8B is an example of a hook 9 and FIG. 8C is an example of a doorknob 10 in which hanging strap 1 loops around the hook 9 or doorknob 10 as an example. FIG. 8D shows a walking baby 17 approaching the hanging drawstring bags of FIGS. 8 and 8A hanging on doorknob 10.

(35) The drawstring bag 6 is trapped with two levels of anti-removal protection, namely raised ridge 3 and extensions 3a, as well as pivotable pinch ring and positive lock engagement or component 4 and 11, respectively, as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows the force of inserting a diaper 12 through the drawstring bag 6 (see FIG. 7), and showing the drawstring 8 secured in place over the raised ridge 3, as well as the drawstring bag 6 is trapped with the pinch ring 4 being positively locked by component 11. The locking component 11 is referred to herein as corresponding structure in that it has a configuration that corresponds to the shape and/or form of part of the pinch ring 4 to provide for a secure engagement of the free end of the pinch ring 4, that end opposite the pivot location, to the housing 2.

(36) The positive lock component 11 may be provided by a tab on the pinch ring 4 and a retainer on the housing 2 (as disclosed in other patents by the common inventor, David M. Stravitz, mentioned herein). This cooperating tab and retainer constitute locking structure or means for locking a portion of the pinch ring that is moved relative to the housing against the housing when in one position, i.e., a closed or locking position. Typically, the tab (positive lock component 11) and retainer are situated on an opposite side of the pinch ring 4 from that side at which the pinch ring 4 is pivotally connected to the housing 2.

(37) FIGS. 10-13 which illustrate an exemplifying method for safe bag removal when the drawstring bag 6 is filled with waste and ready for removal, or it is otherwise desired to remove the drawstring bag 6. FIG. 10 illustrates lifting the drawstring 8 over the raised ridge 3. FIG. 11 shows the drawstring 8 released from the raised ridge 3 and the pinch ring 4 released to expose the top of the drawstring bag 6 above the odor barrier membrane 5. FIG. 12 shows the availability of sufficient room above the membrane 5 for the drawstring bag 6 to tie an odor sealing knot for odor-free removal. FIGS. 13 and 14 are two examples of the tied bag that was removed safely from the invention.

(38) FIG. 15 is a front view of the embodiment that illustrates an example of the two extensions 3a that allow a more positive trapping of the looped drawstring 8 (see also FIG. 17). FIG. 16 is substantially like FIG. 17 but without the extensions 3a (see the area designated 3b). Furthermore, FIG. 16 has the hanging hole 1a for the strap 1 and illustrates the pinch ring 4 and locking component 11 of the pinch ring 4 in locking component 11. FIG. 17 invention shows the bag 6 trapped by the pivotable pinch ring 4 and additionally supporting to drawstring 8 as an added level of safety and support.

(39) For the above-described use, the parent or other user places the drawstring bag 6 through the resilient odor sealing membrane 5 and afterwards ultimately traps the bag 6 with the pivotable pinch ring 4, but before that, they loop the portion of the exposed drawstring 8 of the drawstring bag 6 over the raised ridge 3 which adds a substantial level of safety should the toddler 17 be in reach of the bag 6 (see FIG. 8D). Should the toddler 17 grab the bag 6 and draw it downward such that it disengages from the pinch ring 4 trapping the perimeter of the bag 6, the bag 6 will resist being separated and removed entirely because the looped drawstring portion wrapped around the raised ridge 3 will stop and resist the bag 6 from entirely being removed and subsequently endangering the toddler 17 or baby.

(40) Ideally, it is preferable to use a bag that is substantially the proper size to fit the hanging bag trapping embodiment. As such, bags with no more than openings of about 10.5 flat (about 21 perimeter) should be used (at least in embodiments corresponding to the dimensions and shape of the illustrated embodiment). While the looping of the drawstring bag 6 over the raised ridge 3 for safety precautions, having bags of this size or smaller will make it quite difficult for toddlers to negotiate this compact size in general. The proper directed engagement of the drawstring 8 of the drawstring bag 6 being looped properly will insure this to be positive safety measures. For example, a one year old's head circumference is on average 18.25 (46.35 cm) and a 1.5 year old toddler's circumference is in the range of 19 and a 2 year old approaches 20 circumference. For the invention it is preferable that the bags be no larger in circumferential opening than about 21 and that they be with drawstring designs.

(41) Unlike a significant number of the above-referenced patents, applications and known embodiments, the invention eliminates the plastic or metal housing for the bag or liner that encloses the waste bag around its periphery, e.g., the plastic inner liner, as well as the foot pedal or any structure relating to conventional waste receptacles requiring marrying a conventional or specific garbage bag to a substantial rigid housing. Rather, the invention comprises a bag that is positively secured to a bag trapping housing containing a substantially one-directional slotted membrane that receives the waste and at the same time forms an odor barrier keeping the offensive odor in the bag below. Furthermore, when using a preferably custom size drawstring bag, the embodiment (invention) provides double insurance that a toddler cannot easily pull the hanging bag down which can be problematic and dangerous. The invention, when used for children will have preferably defined sizes to further minimize injury (suffocation)

(42) While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Indeed, all of the features and structure disclosed in the other patents and patent applications by the common inventor, David M. Stravitz, that are mentioned above may be incorporated in the bag trapping apparatus of the claimed invention, e.g., those features relating to the membrane, those features relating to the pinch ring, those features relating to the pinch ring locking structure, and those features relating to the construction of the housing.