Hygiene Product Receptacle, Deodorizer, and Storage System

Abstract

A system for discarding hygiene products is provided. The system includes a housing, including a first storage compartment configured to house one or more unused hygiene products, a second storage compartment configured to house one or more unused waste receptacle bags, one or more deodorizer compartments configured to house one or more deodorizing materials, and a receptacle compartment configured to house a waste receptacle bag, the waste receptacle bag being configured to house one or more discarded hygiene products. The system further includes the one or more deodorizing materials and the waste receptacle bag.

Claims

1. A system for discarding hygiene products, comprising: a housing, including: a first storage compartment configured to house one or more unused hygiene products; a second storage compartment configured to house one or more unused waste receptacle bags; one or more deodorizer compartments configured to house one or more deodorizing materials; and a receptacle compartment configured to house a waste receptacle bag, the waste receptacle bag being configured to house one or more discarded hygiene products; the one or more deodorizing materials; and the waste receptacle bag.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment is located on an upper portion of the housing.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment includes one or more dividers for separating two or more hygiene products.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more deodorizer compartments is located in the second compartment.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third compartment configured to conceal an opening of the waste receptacle bag.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more deodorizer compartments is located in the third compartment.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a door coupled to the third compartment, wherein opening the door grants a user access to the opening of the waste receptacle bag.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a clamping mechanism configured to clamp closed a portion of the waste receptacle bag.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the clamping mechanism further includes an opening mechanism configured to enable a user to unclamp the waste receptacle bag.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more deodorizing materials include a deodorizing crystal.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism configured to secure the housing to a surface.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the securing mechanism is a suction piece.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the securing mechanism is a receptor for a nail or screw.

14. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cap configured to cover an opening of the waste receptacle bag.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the cap is removable, enabling access to the opening of the waste receptacle bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hygiene product disposal storage system with interior and exterior components visible, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the hygiene product disposal storage system with interior and exterior components visible, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an upper portion of the hygiene product disposal storage system with interior and exterior components visible, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a perspective view (FIG. 1), a side view (FIG. 2), and a perspective view of an upper portion (FIG. 3) of a hygiene product disposal system 100 showing interior and exterior components are illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the hygiene product disposal system 100 is a deodorizing waste receptacle system used for the disposal of any type of hygiene products with a separate compartment 105 designed for the storage of clean products. According to an embodiment, the compartment 105 includes one or more sub-compartments 110 for storing clean hygiene products of one type or multiple types. According to an embodiment, one or more of the sub-compartments 110 are adjustable in shape. According to an embodiment, the sub-compartments 110 are separated using adjustable slots. It is noted, however, that other forms of adjustable separators may also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the hygiene product disposal system 100 may be used for the storage and disposal of feminine hygiene products, incontinence products, bandages, and/or other personal care items including, e.g., any kind of biological and non-biological waste products which may emit offensive odor. According to an embodiment, the system 100 serves as a storage unit, room deodorizer, and waste receptacle system. It is unique in its multipurpose functionality.

[0043] The system 100 includes a housing 115. According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 105 of the system 100 is located at a top portion of the housing 115. According to an embodiment, the housing 115 has a wide area at the top portion, affording ready accessibility to feminine hygiene products, bandages, incontinence products, wipes, condoms, sponges, underwear, and/or any other suitable type of product that can be stored. According to an embodiment, the stored products are located in segregated sub-compartments 110 to ensure that the stored products are not contaminated by the used products.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the storage unit 105 on the top is accessed from door 185 on the top of the housing 115. The storage unit 105 can be opened by lifting the door 185 and accessing the stored products (as shown in FIG. 3). According to an embodiment, the sub-compartments 110 are separated by dividers 190. According to an embodiment, the dividers 190 are movable dividers. This enables users to customize the space allotted for each sub-compartment 110.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the system 100 includes at least one deodorizer 120. According to an embodiment, the system 100 includes two deodorizers 120, although it is noted that any suitable number of deodorizers 120 may be used while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. According to an embodiment, there are two deodorizer compartments 125 in the unit that house the deodorizing material 120. The deodorizing material 120 may be a deodorizing crystal, a deodorizing spray, and/or any other suitable form of deodorizing material 120. According to an embodiment, a deodorizing compartment 125 and deodorizing material or materials 120 are located inside of a door 130 on a side of the housing 115 of the (where, according to an embodiment, a storage compartment 135 for unused bags is located). According to an embodiment, a deodorizing compartment 125 and deodorizing material 120 are located under an opening 140 to the waste compartment 145 (also known as the receptacle portion).

[0046] According to an embodiment, the deodorizer 120 not only deodorizes the system 100 and the room in which the system 100 is located by emitting a pleasant smelling odor, it also absorbs unwanted odors, giving any room in which the system 100 is located a scent makeover. According to an embodiment, the level of scent can be adjusted by placing deodorizers 120 in the front and/or the back on the housing 115 depending on a user's tolerance and desire.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the system 100 includes a receptacle portion 145. The receptacle portion 145 of the system 100 provides a compartment 150 having a segregated waste portion 155 situated underneath. According to an embodiment, the segregated waste portion 155 houses a waste receptacle bag 160. According to an embodiment, the system 100 seals the waste receptacle bag 160 with a clamped claw 165 between disposals to minimize the escape of undesirable odors. It is noted, however, that other methods of clamping the waste receptacle bag 160 closed may also be used while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the waste receptacle bag 160 includes an elastic band 170 across the top and is capped 175 to stay in place at the top of the separation wall 180. According to an embodiment, the cap 175 is removable, enabling access to the opening of the waste receptacle bag 160. According to an embodiment, the system 100 is easily emptied by pulling the bag 160 out from the housing 115 through door 130.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the waste receptacle compartment 150 is accessed from door 140 at the top of the housing 115. According to an embodiment, the waste receptacle bags 160 are fitted around an O-shaped opening and an O-shaped ring 195 is placed on top to keep the bag 160 in place. According to an embodiment, the O-shaped ring 195 has rubber inside to ensure that the fit of the bag 160 is tight around the edges and simply lifts up and down by use of a hinge and does not separate from the unit. It is noted, however, that any suitable shape may be used for the opening and the ring 195, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the user places their hand in the bag 160 to ensure that the bag has expanded enough for refuse to be deposited. According to an embodiment, there is the clamp/claw system 165 in place on the side of the housing 115. According to an embodiment, an end of the claw/clamp system 165 is located on the outside of the housing 115 and can be opened by a lever which presses the edges together which are connected by a spring. This causes the claw/clamp on the inside to open allowing the bag 160 to be placed in as well as refuse to be inserted. Once the refuse is inserted, the clamp 165 is released and it tightens around the top of the bag 160, preventing odor from escaping.

[0050] According to an embodiment, when changing the bag 160, door 130 is opened. The O ring 195 is lifted, the elastic is dislodged around the O and the bag 160 is simply pulled out, tied and discarded. The access door 130 on the back of the unit is closed, and another bag 160 is inserted through the top and the process repeats itself. According to an embodiment, on the inside of the door 130 is a pocket for storing additional bags and a pocket for storing additional deodorizing materials 120, making the system 100 self-contained for convenience. According to an embodiment, the pockets are rigid. According to an embodiment, the pockets are stretchable.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the system includes a securing mechanism 200 for securing/anchoring the system to a surface. According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism is a suction piece. It is noted, however, that any suitable securing mechanism 200 may be used, such as a receptor for a nail or a screw (as shown in FIG. 2), while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0052] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof; the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective another, when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms including and having are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0053] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.