Cassette and apparatus for packing disposable objects into an elongated tube of flexible material

Abstract

A cassette for dispensing bags from an elongated tubing comprising an annular receptacle accommodating a length of tubing in an accumulated condition. An annular opening at an upper end of the annular receptacle is for dispensing the tubing. The annular receptacle defines a central opening through which a knotted end of the tubing passes to form a bag supported by the annular receptacle with disposable objects passing through the circular central opening to be received in the bag, and a clearance only at a bottom of the central opening.

Claims

1. A cassette for packing at least one disposable object, comprising: an annular receptacle including an annular wall delimiting a central opening of the annular receptacle, and a volume configured to receive an elongated tube of flexible material radially outward of the annular wall; a length of the elongated tube of flexible material disposed in an accumulated condition in the volume of the annular receptacle; and an annular opening at an upper end of the cassette for dispensing the elongated tube such that the elongated tube extends through the central opening of the annular receptacle to receive disposable objects in an end of the elongated tube, wherein the annular receptacle includes a chamfer in a bottom portion of the central opening, the chamfer extending continuously from the annular wall and radially outward of a downward projection of the annular wall, the chamfer delimiting a portion of the volume having a reduced width relative to a portion of the volume above the chamfer.

2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the annular wall of the annular receptacle is an inner annular wall, and wherein the annular receptacle further comprises an outer annular wall, by which an outer periphery of the annular receptacle tapers downwardly.

3. A cassette for packing at least one disposable object, comprising: an annular receptacle including an annular wall delimiting a central opening of the annular receptacle, and a volume configured to receive an elongated tube of flexible material radially outward of the annular wall; a length of the elongated tube of flexible material disposed in an accumulated condition in the volume of the annular receptacle; an annular opening at an upper end of the annular receptacle for dispensing the tubing such that the elongated tube extends through the central opening of the annular receptacle to receive disposable objects in an end of the elongated tube, wherein the annular receptacle includes a chamfer at a bottom of the central opening, the chamfer being located radially outward of a downward projection of the annular wall relative to the central opening, and opening into the central opening; wherein at least a portion of the volume of the annular receptacle is located radially outward of and side by side with at least a portion of the chamfer such that at least a portion of the elongated tube of flexible material is disposed in the accumulated condition in said portion of the annular receptacle, said chamfer delimiting a reduced width of said portion of the volume relative to the volume above the chamfer.

4. The cassette according to claim 3, wherein the annular wall of the annular receptacle is an inner annular wall, and wherein the annular receptacle further comprises an outer annular wall, by which an outer periphery of the annular receptacle tapers downwardly.

5. The cassette according to claim 4, wherein the inner annular wall and the chamfer extend continuously.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view of a cassette to be used with the apparatus of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 2A;

(4) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, without tubing, with a closing mechanism in a closed position,

(5) FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3A, with the closing mechanism displaced toward an open position;

(6) FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3A, with the closing mechanism in the fully open position;

(7) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 5A is a bottom perspective view of a cassette to be used with the apparatus of FIG. 4,

(9) FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 5A;

(10) FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, and

(11) FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the cassette of FIG. 2A as used with an apparatus having interfering members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 for packaging disposable objects in an elongated tube of flexible plastic film material. The apparatus 10 comprises a bin 12 having a top portion 14 and a bottom portion (not shown) hingedly connected to each other by a hinge member 16, with outer walls of the top portion 14 and bottom portion defining an enclosure 18 of the bin 12.

(13) The top portion 14 and bottom portion are locked together with a mechanism such as a push button latch (not shown) received in eyelet 20, located opposite of the hinge member 16. Upon actuation of the push button, the top portion 14 and bottom portion are disconnected and can be pivoted apart about the hinge member 16 to provide access to the enclosure 18, for example to empty the bin 12.

(14) The top portion 14 defines an opening 22 for receiving disposable objects therethrough. The bin 12 further comprises a lid 24 hingedly connected to a ring 25, for instance in the shape of a funnel (hereinafter funnel 25), although multiple shapes are considered such as a flat ring, as long as the ring forms an opening guidance. The funnel 25 is mounted to the top portion 14 such as to selectively open and close access to the opening 22 through pivoting motion of the lid 24. Although in the embodiment shown the apparatus has a generally circular opening 22, the bin 12 is not limited to circular openings and could function with openings of different shapes.

(15) Still referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 also comprises a holder 26 located within the top portion 14 proximate the opening 22 for holding a cassette 30 of flexible plastic film tubing 32. The cassette 30 has an annular body defining a central opening 34 which is generally aligned with the bin opening 22 when the cassette 30 is accommodated in the holder 26.

(16) Referring concurrently to FIGS. 1, 2A and, 2B, the cassette 30 has a lid 36 and a bottom annular receptacle 38. After the lid 36 is removed, the flexible tubing 32 exits from an upper annular opening of the receptacle 38, adjacent an outer periphery thereof. It is pointed out that once the lid 36 is removed, there remains an upper flange 39 adjacent to the annular opening that maintains the compressed tubing 32 in the receptacle 38. The cassette 30 comprises a length of flexible plastic film material that is accumulated (e.g., folded). As shown in FIG. 1, a knot 40 is found at the free end of the tubing 32 to form a bag end. The knot 40 and a length of the tubing 32 extend from the cassette 30 into the enclosure 18 of the bin 12, passing through the central opening 34 of the cassette 30. To better contain odors, it is preferable that the film material of the tubing 32 be a multiple layer film having an odor barrier therein such that odors do not permeate through the film material. The receptacle 38 of the cassette 30 comprises a chamfer 37 that defines a chamfer clearance 41 at a bottom of the central opening 34. The chamfer clearance 41 is provided in order to ensure that the cassette 30 is properly installed in the holder 26 when the apparatus 10 is in use, as will be described hereinafter. The chamfer clearance 41 is provided on the full periphery of the cassette 30, but may also be partial (i.e., not on the full periphery of the central opening of the cassette).

(17) Referring to FIG. 1, the holder 26 includes a top annular flange 42 extending inwardly from the top of the bin 12. A tubular wall 44 extends downwardly from an inner end of the top annular flange 42. The holder 26 has a horizontal flange 45 at a bottom of the wall 44, so as to define a seat supporting the cassette 30. One will also appreciate that the holder 26 may take many alternate shapes and forms.

(18) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3A-3C, the apparatus 10 further includes a closing mechanism 50 whose purpose is to provide access to the flexible tubing 32 extending therebelow and preventing odors from escaping from the flexible tubing 32. In one form of use, it permits the disposable objects to push down against the bottom of the tubing 32 (at the knot 40) to draw out loose flexible tubing from the receptacle 38 of the cassette 30. One aspect of note is that the flexible tubing 32 passes over receptacle 38 and the closing mechanism 50, thereby isolating the receptacle 38 and the mechanism 50 from the disposable objects to be packaged, reducing the need for constant cleaning of the walls defining the opening 34 and the mechanism 50. In this respect, one will appreciate that one of the preferred uses for the apparatus 10 is the disposal of baby diapers.

(19) The closing mechanism 50 comprises a fixed portion 52, which comprises a generally C-shaped member rigidly connected to the wall 44 of the holder 26. Alternate types of connections are also possible for the fixed portion 52, including connection to an additional support member connected to the holder 26 or to another part of the top portion 14. The curved fixed portion 52 defines a rounded apex 54 which projects into the opening 22, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The fixed portion 52 defines a receiving surface 56 downwardly inclined toward a movable portion 58 of the closing mechanism 50.

(20) The movable portion 58 of the closing mechanism 50 is also generally C-shaped in cross-section and is biased against the fixed portion 52 in a closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A such as to generally close the opening 22 of the apparatus 10, thereby sealing the tubing 32 shut. The curved movable portion 58 defines a rounded apex 60 projecting into the opening 22, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The movable portion 58 defines a receiving surface 62 downwardly inclined toward the fixed portion 52, the two receiving surfaces 56,62 forming a trough directing an object therebetween. In the closed position, contact between the two portions 52,58 is between the apex 60 of the movable portion 58 and a lower part of the fixed portion 52 located below the apex 54 thereof. These portions are wave-shaped in cross-section to provide an ergonomical shape in view of hands contacting them, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Moreover, these wave-shaped portions provide efficient sealing of a plastic film tube 32 engaged or pinched therebetween.

(21) The movable portion 58 is slidingly supported by a pair of spaced-apart, generally vertical walls 64 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) extending downwardly from the holder 26, with the opening 22 being aligned therebetween. Each of the walls 64 has an angled slot 66. In the embodiment shown, the slots 66 are angled at approximately 40 degrees with respect to the horizontal, although any other working angles are suitable.

(22) The movable portion 58 includes aligned sliding members 66A extending therefrom and engaging the slots 66, such that the movable portion 58 is slidingly movable along an angular direction defined by the slots 66, and thus along direction A. The movable portion 58 can move between a closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3A, in which the movable portion 58 abuts against the fixed portion 52 to seal the tubing 32 shut, and an opened position (shown in FIG. 3C) enough to let a disposable object to pass between the portions 52 and 58. The movable portion 58 is biased to the closed position of FIG. 1, for using an elongated helical spring 67 connected to and extending between the sliding members 66A of the movable portion 58 and around the back of the fixed portion 52. The concave shape of the back of the fixed portion 52 helps maintain the spring aligned in a plane defined by the slots 66.

(23) It is of particular importance that the cassette 30 be installed in the appropriate orientation. In the appropriate orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tubing 32 is deployed from the top of the cassette 30. Accordingly, the tubing 32 covers the side walls of the cassette 30 in the opening 34. Accordingly, as the tubing 32 covers the cassette 30, there is no risk of contamination of the walls of the cassette.

(24) As is clearly seen in FIG. 1, the chamfer clearance 41 is positioned downwardly. A path of movement of the movable portion 58 is illustrated at B. It is observed that the movable portion 58 passes closely to the chamfer 37 defining the chamfer clearance 41. If the chamfer clearance 41 were not provided, the cassette 30 would impede the movement of the movable portion 58. Accordingly, if the cassette 30 were installed upside down, the movable portion 58 would be prevented from moving along its path. Therefore, if a user person wants to use the cassette 30 properly, the cassette 30 must be oriented properly.

(25) Alternately, the fixed portion 52 can be replaced by a portion movable opposite of the movable portion 58, the two being biased together in the closed position. Such a configuration could be, for example, two sliding members symmetrical with respect to one another about a vertical axis defined at the point of contact therebetween, such as two C-shaped members similar in configuration to the movable member 58 shown, two rollers, etc., which are slidable away from each other upon downwardly pushing an object thereon, and are biased together for example by being interconnected by one or a plurality of springs. However, such a mechanism includes additional parts.

(26) In order to assist the user in correctly placing the disposable object in the tubing 32, the apparatus 10 advantageously has the funnel 25 removably installed over the cassette 30, providing a downward shape around the openings 22,34, which creates a funnel effect and guides the user's hand. A handle 68 is provided to remove the lid 24/funnel 25 assembly.

(27) Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 can further include, within the bin 12, an integrated cutting tool 70, which can be for example attached to one of the vertical walls 64, and which includes a blade located between two spaced-apart protective fingers sized such as to prevent a user's finger from reaching the blade but still allowing a portion of tubing 32 to be inserted between the fingers to be cut with the blade.

(28) In order to prepare the apparatus 10 for use, and with reference to FIG. 1, a user person removes the lid 24 and funnel 25 assembly and inserts the cassette 30 in the correct orientation (i.e., with the chamfer clearance 41 facing downward. The user person withdraws a free end of the tubing 32 from the cassette 30, takes a leading edge of flexible tubing 32, ties it into the knot 40 and pushes the knot 40 through the openings 22,34 and beyond the closing mechanism. It is pointed out that the knot 40 may be made prior to the cassette 30 being installed. The movable portion 58 opens as a result of the downward pressure, whereby the knot 40 reaches the enclosure 18 below the closing mechanism 50.

(29) Alternately, the tube end with the knot 40 could be pulled down to the bottom of the bin 12, for example by pivoting and opening the top portion 14 such as to gain access to the enclosure 18, and pulling the tube end with the knot 40 through the closing mechanism 50 and beyond to the bottom of the bin 12. The top portion 14 is then re-engaged with the bottom portion, and the lid 24/funnel 25 assembly is reinstalled on the top portion 14.

(30) Accordingly a length of empty flexible tubing 32 extends to the bottom and is now ready to receive disposable objects therein. Therefore, the film material is not pulled from the cassettes 30 as disposable objects are placed into the tube. In use, when a disposable object needs to be packaged, the lid 24 of the apparatus 10 is lifted, thereby providing access to the opening 22. The disposable object to be packaged is placed into the opening 22 (in this case, the cassette 30 of flexible tubing 32 surrounds the object). The receiving surfaces 56,62 of the fixed and movable portions 52,58 of the closing mechanism 50 biased together in the closed position form a trough which directs the disposable object in the hand of a user person toward a contact region therebetween.

(31) The user person pushes the disposable object in a downward direction, gradually opening the movable portion 58, as is shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. The angled receiving surface 62 of the movable portion 58 helps the downward force to be easily converted along the direction of the slots 66 such as to force the movable portion 58 from its closed position in contact with the fixed portion 52 (FIG. 3A) to its open position (FIG. 3C) against the force of the spring 67, through a sliding movement illustrated by direction A in FIG. 1. Since the movable portion 58 is moved by the force applied on the disposable object, it slides only enough for the disposable object to go past the closing mechanism 50, with most of the opening created by the movement of the movable portion 58 being blocked by the disposable object such as to minimize the propagation of odors through the opening 22.

(32) Once the disposable object passes beyond the apex 60 of the movable portion 58, the user person releases the disposable object and withdraws his or her hand. The movable portion 58, under the action of the spring 67, rapidly returns to the closed position of FIGS. 1 and 3A, through a sliding movement, effectively sealing the object within the flexible tubing 32. The curved profile of the fixed portion 52 below the apex 60 and, more importantly, of the movable portion 58 below the apex 60 helps push the disposable object further down, if there is resistance, as the movable portion 58 returns to the closed position to apply a downward pushing force.

(33) It is pointed out that different configurations of the cassette are considered. For instance, clearances of different shapes can be used instead of a chamfer. The use of a chamfer shape does not substantially reduce the volume of the receptacle 38 of the cassette 30, thereby generally preserving the quantity of tubing 32 received in the cassette 30.

(34) In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the cassette 30 is provided with a tapered clearance 41 (forming a frustoconical geometry at the outer periphery of the bottom of the cassette 30) as opposed to a chamfer clearance 41. The tapered clearance 41 is used in conjunction with a tapered flange 44 in the holder 26 of the apparatus 10, as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 4 (i.e., the flange 44 defines an interference member of frustoconical shape). Accordingly, this complimentary shape ensures that the cassette 30 is properly oriented in the holder 26, otherwise the funnel 25 could not be installed properly on the top of the bin 12. Moreover, the lid 24 and funnel 25 assembly would have problems closing with the improper orientation of the cassette 30. It is pointed out that like reference numerals refer to like elements in FIGS. 1 and 4.

(35) For each new disposable object to be packed, the process is repeated, each time either dropping the disposable object within the already drawn length of flexible tubing 32 within the enclosure 18, or drawing out an additional length of flexible tubing 32 from the cassette 30 to accommodate another disposable object as the disposable object moves down into the tube inside the apparatus 10, until the enclosure 18 is full, containing an object-filled segment of flexible film tubing 32. In this case, the top portion 14 is pivoted away from the bottom portion. The flexible tubing 32 is then cut, for example by using the cutting tool 70 provided, and then tied to form a substantially sealed pouch which can be removed from the bin 12. The top portion 14 is pivoted back into engagement with the bottom portion to use the apparatus 10 again as described above.

(36) In another embodiment of the apparatus 10 using the cassette 30 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fixed portion 52 of the closing mechanism 50 has an upper end 54 that extends upwardly in the opening 22 of the bin 12. The upper end 54 is sized such that it also extends into the opening 34 of the cassette 30 when the cassette 30 is positioned in the holder 26. If it were positioned upside down, the cassette 30 would extend above the annular flange 42, and the ring 68 would not be positionable on the bin 12.

(37) In another embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7, the holder 26 features an interfering member 70 that has a shape that is complementary to that of the cassette 30 with the chamfer clearance 41. With the presence of the interfering member 70, the cassette 30 must properly be installed in the holder 26 to be used. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of interfering members 70 may optionally be provided on both side of the holder 26.

(38) Advantages of the apparatus 10 include the use of a wedge-type closing mechanism 50 of simple construction with few parts to seal the flexible tubing 32. The cassette configurations ensure that the cassette 30 is properly installed in the holder 26, thereby preventing contamination of the walls of the cassette (and the hands of the user person) as the properly installed cassette is mostly covered by the tubing 32 as is shown in FIG. 1. The mechanism 50 greatly reduces the complexity of the apparatus 10, makes the assembly simple, and allows for the use of a lesser quantity of flexible tubing 32 than prior-art devices. Furthermore, angling the course of the movable portion 58 permits the optimization of little horizontal clearance versus the force required to bias the movable portion 58. Finally, the shape of the individual portions of the mechanism prevents disposable objects from coming back upthat is, once a disposable object has been inserted under pressure to pull film material, it will be forced to remain in the flexible tubing by the closing mechanism 50.