U.S. patent application number 11/767069 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for sanitary waste bin and system.
Invention is credited to Christopher Andrew Brizes, Christopher Daniel Carsten, Mark Edward Cipolla, Kirk Minor Kirssin, Paul Dana Stephens, Richard Petras Titas, Mary Ellen Travis.
Application Number | 20070295722 11/767069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38872618 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070295722 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Titas; Richard Petras ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
SANITARY WASTE BIN AND SYSTEM
Abstract
A sanitary waste bin and disposal system for the convenient and
hygienic disposal of waste products. A waste bin comprises a
container for storing the waste material, the container having a
first opening; a cover for the first opening, the cover having a
second opening; a lid comprising top and bottom surfaces defining a
receptacle, the lid being attached to the cover such that the lid
is pivotable within the second opening between an open position
where the receptacle is positioned to receive waste material, and a
closed position where the receptacle is positioned to deposit waste
material into the container; a lever for engaging the lid to
operate between the closed position and the open position; and a
handle for lifting the bin when disposing of the waste material.
Also disclosed is a sanitary waste system comprising the waste bin
and a bracket for mounting the bin to a wall, and a system
comprising the waste bin and a tray for carrying at least two of
the bins in a predetermined position.
Inventors: |
Titas; Richard Petras;
(Lyndhurst, OH) ; Brizes; Christopher Andrew;
(Westlake, OH) ; Cipolla; Mark Edward; (Chardon,
OH) ; Stephens; Paul Dana; (Twinsburg, OH) ;
Carsten; Christopher Daniel; (Mason, OH) ; Kirssin;
Kirk Minor; (Mason, OH) ; Travis; Mary Ellen;
(Milford, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HASSE & NESBITT LLC
8837 CHAPEL SQUARE DRIVE
SUITE C
CINCINNATI
OH
45249
US
|
Family ID: |
38872618 |
Appl. No.: |
11/767069 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60805700 |
Jun 23, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/141 20130101;
B65F 1/1468 20130101; B65F 1/1607 20130101; B65F 2240/164 20130101;
B65F 1/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/023.83 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/00 20060101
A47G019/00 |
Claims
1. A sanitary waste bin comprising: a) a container for storing
waste material, the container having a first opening; b) a cover
for the first opening, the cover having a second opening; c) a lid
comprising top and bottom surfaces defining a receptacle, the lid
being attached to the cover such that the lid is pivotable within
the second opening between an open position wherein the bottom
surface covers the second opening and the receptacle is positioned
to receive waste material, and a closed position wherein the top
surface covers the second opening and the receptacle is positioned
to deposit waste material into the container; d) a lever for
engaging the lid to operate it between the closed position and the
open position; and e) a handle for lifting the bin when disposing
of the waste material.
2. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 1 wherein the lid opens
toward the user when the user engages the lever.
3. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 1 wherein the lid has a
grip for manually opening the lid without engaging the lever.
4. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 1 wherein the lever is a
foot pedal.
5. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 1 wherein the cover is
removably attached to the container.
6. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 5 wherein the cover
comprises latches for removably attaching the cover to the
container.
7. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 1 wherein the handle is
spaced apart from the lid to establish a generally rectangular void
space therebetween.
8. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 7 wherein the lid opens
toward the user when the user engages the lever and the lid has a
grip for manually opening the lid without engaging the lever.
9. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 8 wherein the lever is a
foot pedal and the cover is removably attached to the
container.
10. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 1 further comprising a
bracket for mounting the bin to a wall.
11. A sanitary waste bin according to claim 10 wherein the bracket
comprises a latch for removably attaching the bin to the
bracket.
12. A sanitary waste system comprising: a) a sanitary waste bin
comprising: a container for storing waste material, the container
having a first opening; a cover for the first opening, the cover
having a second opening; a lid comprising top and bottom surfaces
defining a receptacle, the lid being attached to the cover such
that the lid is pivotable within the second opening between an open
position wherein the bottom surface covers the second opening and
the receptacle is positioned to receive waste material, and a
closed position wherein the top surface covers the second opening
and the receptacle is positioned to deposit waste material into the
container; a lever for engaging the lid to operate it between the
closed position and the open position; and a handle for lifting the
bin when disposing of the waste material; and b) a bracket for
mounting the waste bin to a wall.
13. A sanitary waste system according to claim 12 wherein the lid
of the bin opens toward the user when the user engages the
lever.
14. A sanitary waste system according to claim 12 wherein the lid
of the bin has a grip for manually opening the lid without engaging
the lever.
15. A sanitary waste system according to claim 12 wherein the
handle of the bin is spaced apart from the lid to establish a
generally rectangular void space therebetween.
16. A sanitary waste system according to claim 12 wherein the
bracket comprises a latch for removably attaching the bin to the
bracket.
17. A sanitary waste system according to claim 16 wherein the lid
of the bin opens toward the user when the user engages the lever
and the lid has a grip for manually opening the lid without
engaging the lever.
18. A sanitary waste system according to claim 17 wherein the
handle of the bin is spaced apart from the lid to establish a
generally rectangular void space therebetween.
19. A sanitary waste system comprising: a) a sanitary waste bin
comprising: a container for storing waste material, the container
having a first opening; a cover for the first opening, the cover
having a second opening; a lid comprising top and bottom surfaces
defining a receptacle, the lid being attached to the cover such
that the lid is pivotable within the second opening between an open
position wherein the bottom surface covers the second opening and
the receptacle is positioned to receive waste material, and a
closed position wherein the top surface covers the second opening
and the receptacle is positioned to deposit waste material into the
container; a lever for engaging the lid to operate it between the
closed position and the open position; and a handle for lifting the
bin when disposing of the waste material; and b) a tray for
carrying at least two of the waste bins in a predetermined
position.
20. A sanitary waste system according to claim 19 wherein the trays
holds the at least two bins back to back with their handles
adjacent each other so the bins can be gripped with one hand.
21. A sanitary waste system according to claim 20 further
comprising a bracket for mounting the waste bin to a wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/805,700, filed Jun. 23, 2006.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to waste bins for the hygienic
disposal of waste products such as sanitary napkins, pads,
bandages, diapers and medical waste products. The invention also
relates to sanitary waste systems comprising the waste bin and a
bracket for mounting the bin to a wall, and to systems comprising
the waste bin and a tray for carrying at least two of the bins in a
predetermined position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The hygienic disposal of sanitary napkins presents a problem
for most public washroom facilities. Disposal of sanitary napkins
via the normal sewage system is not practical since the napkins may
plug drainage pipes and cause backups and blockages. As a result
sanitary napkins can accumulate in regular waste receptacles of
public washrooms. This causes problems with odor and can be a
potential source of infection and disease if not dealt with
effectively.
[0004] Various systems have been developed in an attempt to deal
with sanitary napkin waste disposal in public washroom facilities.
The products typically consist of storage containers separate from
regular washroom waste receptacles. Such containers may be
floor-standing or recessed into the washroom wall and generally
have flip-top lids or flaps through which waste material is
deposited into the container. In some cases the containers may
contain a disinfecting solution for killing germs and bacteria and
for reducing odours associated with such waste material.
[0005] The systems currently available do not provide a secure,
controlled environment for the disposal of sanitary napkins. Many
of the current systems do not deal effectively with the associated
odours and bacteria created by the disposal of sanitary napkins. If
disinfecting solutions are used, they should be contained in a
secure container so that spillage and splashing of the solution can
be avoided by those using the container to dispose of waste and
those cleaning the container. The current systems also do not
effectively prevent viewing of the waste products being disposed.
Opening the container to deposit waste often presents the washroom
patron with an unpleasant visual image, which may cause one to
simply flush the sanitary napkin down the toilet.
[0006] The lids on many of the current systems also have a tendency
to become contaminated with waste fluids, thus presenting a risk of
disease and infection to washroom patrons who touch soiled potions
of the lid in order to place waste material into the container.
While the above discussion focuses on problems associated with the
hygienic disposal of sanitary napkins and pads, similar issues
apply to the disposal of soiled diapers, bandages and medical waste
products in public washrooms and health care facilities.
[0007] Thus there is a continuing need for an improved disposal
system for the hygienic disposal of various waste products,
particularly one that can be used in public washroom or health care
facilities. Moreover, the disposal system should be designed to
remain in use for typical service or cleaning periods, and should
be easy to use and provide a cost-effective method for the safe and
effective disposal of waste products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a sanitary waste bin
comprising:
[0009] a) a container for storing waste material, the container
having a first opening;
[0010] b) a cover for the first opening, the cover having a second
opening;
[0011] c) a lid comprising top and bottom surfaces defining a
receptacle, the lid being attached to the cover such that the lid
is pivotable within the second opening between an open position
wherein the bottom surface covers the second opening and the
receptacle is positioned to receive waste material, and a closed
position wherein the top surface covers the second opening and the
receptacle is positioned to deposit waste material into the
container;
[0012] d) a lever for engaging the lid to operate it between the
closed position and the open position; and
[0013] e) a handle for lifting the bin when disposing of the waste
material.
[0014] The invention also relates to a sanitary waste system
comprising the above waste bin and a bracket for mounting the bin
to a wall.
[0015] In another embodiment, the invention relates to the above
waste bin, and a tray for carrying at least two, and often four, of
the bins in a predetermined position.
[0016] Other advantages and features of the present invention will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of
the following detailed descriptions of various embodiments in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a sanitary waste bin
of the invention with the lid fully closed.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the waste bin shown in FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial cut away view of the waste bin shown in
FIG. 1, with the mounting bracket detached.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial cut away view of the waste bin shown in
FIG. 1, with the mounting bracket detached and the lid fully
open.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a partial cut away, side view of the waste bin in
FIG. 1 showing the stop for the bar attached to the lid.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sanitary waste system of
the invention comprising a tray for carrying four waste bins in a
predetermined position.
[0023] Similar reference numerals are used in different figures to
denote similar components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a sanitary waste bin 10 for
storing waste material comprises a generally box-like container 20
open at the top and closed at the bottom. Container 20 is typically
formed of a generally rectangilar shell having a front wall 22, a
back wall 23 (shown in FIG. 2) and opposed side walls 24, all
terminating in a top, generally rectangular, peripheral edge 25
(shown in FIG. 2). In waste bin 10, front wall 22 and back wall 23
include holes 26 and 27 (shown in FIG. 2) near the top of the
container to receive attachment latches, such as latches 31 and 32
(not shown), respectfully, to securely attach a collar, such as
collar 30, to container 20. Collar 30 comprises latches 31 and 32,
a generally horizontal surface 34 that sits on tip of peripheral
edge 25, a generally vertical surface 36 that comprises latches 38,
a generally vertical handle support 40, and a generally horizontal
handle 42. Handle 42 is spaced apart from the base 44 of the handle
support by posts 48 to establish a generally rectangular void space
therebetween that is sufficiently large to allow cleaning personnel
to easily grip the handle, and to lift and carry the waste bin 10.
Alternative handle designs may be used, and the handle may be
secured to back wall 23 of the container, or to other parts of the
waste bin.
[0025] The waste bin 10 has a top cover 50 for the opening in
container 20. Cover 50 is formed separately from container 20.
Cover 50 typically has a generally rectangular shape and of the
same general outer dimension as the top rectangular peripheral edge
25 of container 20. Cover 50 has a front 55, a back 56 and opposed
sides 57. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each of front 55 and
sides 57 has a rounded surface, and back 56 has a generally planer
vertical surface. Adjacent this back surface and extending from
generally planar, vertical, wall 60 about half way to sides 57 and
58, channels 62 are provided in the cover. When cover 50 is slipped
over the top of handle support 40, the posts 48 of handle support
40 fit into the channels 62 and hold cover 50 in place. Channels 62
are of sufficient height and width to accommodate the posts 48 of
handle support 40. Cover 50 is thus fit onto the top of container
20 by fitting the channels over and around the posts of the handle
support.
[0026] Cover 50 has a central rectangular opening 66 as shown in
FIG. 2 that permits access to the interior of container 20. Each
inside surface of sides 57 of cover 50 has a clip 68 (not shown)
protruding toward the interior of the cover. When the cover is fit
over the top peripheral edge 25 of container 20, clips 68 engage
corresponding clip retainers 28 (shown in FIG. 2) on the outside
surface of side walls 24 and securely attach cover 50 to container
20. To remove the cover from the container, the distal ends 58 of
sides 57 can be flexed slightly outward to disengage clips 68 from
clip retainers 28, and the cover can be lifted off the
container.
[0027] A lid 70, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is constructed to
fit into opening 66 in cover 50. The lid comprises top and bottom
surfaces defining a receptacle. Lid 70 comprises a curved
rectangular top panel 72 and a planar rectangular bottom panel 74
joined along a common edge 75, and further joined by opposing
triangular side panels 76 to form a wedge-shaped scoop or
receptacle having an angular cavity. When the lid is fully open and
viewed from the side, the edge of side panel 76 forms an angle of
from about 75 to about 135 degrees, e.g., from about 90 to about
110 degrees, relative to the top of the cover. The dimensions of
lid 70 are slightly smaller than those of opening 66 so that the
lid may freely pivot within the opening. On the exterior surface of
each side panel 76 near edge 75 is a channel 78. The channels 78
receive and pivot on fixed pins 79 protruding from opposed interior
surfaces of cover 50 that are substantially parallel to sides 57
and define the sides of rectangular opening 66.
[0028] When cover 50 is fit over the top peripheral edge 25 of
container 20 and lid 70 is fit into opening 66 as shown in FIG. 2,
channels 78 line up with the pins 79 in cover 50 to secure the lid
to the cover. The pins and channels are designed to permit lid 70
to pivot within opening 66 between a fully open position as shown
in FIG. 4 and an at rest, fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 1
and 3. The lid is not permanently attached to the cover, but may
only be separated from the cover using force. This prevents easy or
accidental access to the container through opening 66, and helps
ensure that access to the interior of the container is restricted
to cleaning personnel only.
[0029] A grip 80 is formed at the distal edge of top panel 72 of
lid 70. Grip 80 is designed to provide a finger grip that can be
used to grasp and open the lid. While grip 80 has a protruded
surface, alternative grips are possible. For example, the distal
edge of top panel 72 may extend slightly beyond the substantially
vertical surface 82 defining the back side of opening 66.
Alternatively, a knob or handle may formed or be secured on top
panel 72 and used to open the lid.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, lid 70 has a bar 90 located on
the vertical outside surface of one side panel 76. The rotation of
lid 70 on pins 79 within opening 66 is halted when bar 90 contacts
the interior edge 77 of cover 50. Upon release, lid 70 comes to
rest in a fully closed position where the top surface of top panel
72 is substantially flush with the top surface of front 55 of cover
50. A lip 84 (shown in FIG. 2) haults the downward rotation of lid
70 at the desired position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0031] When it is desired to place waste material into the waste
bin 10, grip 80 may be grasped with one or more fingers of one hand
and lid 70 is rotated toward the user on pins 79 to a fully open
position as shown in FIG. 4. The pivoting of lid 70 on pins 79
continues until bar 90 contacts edge 77 on the underside of cover
50, which functions as a stop for the bar, as shown in FIG. 5. In
this fully open position, back panel 74 is oriented substantially
parallel with the horizontal plane of opening 66 and presents a
smooth horizontal surface on which waste material may be placed.
Once the waste material has been placed on back panel 74, grip 80
is released and lid 70 is allowed to rotate under the force of
gravity in a downward direction and return to its normal, at rest
fully closed position. The waste material is thus deposited into
container 20 where it is stored until emptied. The container and
waste material may be detoxified, sanitized and deodorized by using
various perfumes and chemicals known in the art. A cleaning
solution may be used to destroy any bacteria or infectious germs
that may be present in or on the waste material and eliminate any
unpleasant odors. Any splashing that may occur is effectively
contained within the waste bin 10 by the design of the scoop-shaped
lid 70. Once the lid has returned to its normal, at rest fully
closed position, it functions to substantially seal the container
limiting the escape of any unpleasant odors and any chemical
vapors.
[0032] One advantage of the sanitary waste disposal system herein
described is that, regardless of the observation angle, it is not
possible to view the contents of container 20 during the opening
and closing of lid 70 between its fully closed position and its
fully opened position as described above. This characteristic of
the design of scoop-shaped lid 70 and cover 50 also functions to
effectively contain any splashing of any liquids completely within
the sanitary waste bin 10, and further prevents any contact between
the waste material already in container 20 and any person
depositing additional waste into the container.
[0033] Another advantage of the present waste bin 10 is that a
person depositing waste material need not come into contact with
any soiled or potentially infected surfaces. A person depositing
waste material need only touch grip 80 in order to open lid 70.
Grip 80 should not come into contact with any waste material. Only
the inside surfaces of back panel 74 and side panels 76 of lid 70
come into contact with waste material and only these surfaces
normally become soiled. The inside surfaces of back panel 74 and
side panels 76 of lid 70 remain completely enclosed at all times
when lid 70 is closed and thus can be disinfected by any chemical
vapors within container 20.
[0034] Under normal operating conditions, pins 79 secure lid 70 and
cover 50 to container 20 allowing the free rotation of lid 70,
preventing the removal of the lid and cover from the container,
thereby restricting access to the contents of the container. When
the container is full or after the normal period of use, cleaning
personnel may remove the waste bin and/or the cover of the bin and
empty the contents of the container. Any chemical solution can then
be replenished and the sanitary waste bin reassembled for further
use. As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 42 is spaced apart from the lid
70 to establish a generally rectangular void space 86 between the
handle and lid to allow cleaning personnel to easily grasp the
handle and lift and carry the waste bin.
[0035] The waste bin 10 further comprises a lever for engaging the
lid to operate it between the closed position and the open
position. In FIG. 1, the lever is foot pedal 100, which is
connected to horizontal arm 102. Arm 102 has a pivot 104 that is
held in place by retainer 106, which allows the foot pedal and
attached arm to move vertically. Arm 102 is attached to vertical
arm 110 through pivot joint 112. Arm 110 has at its distal end a
lift arm 114. The arms 102 and 110 are partially enclosed by
hollowed out portions in the bottom wall and in one side wall 24 of
container 20. When foot pedal 100 is depressed, lift arm 114 pushes
against bar 90 attached to lid 70. This pushes bar 90 upward and
opens lid 70 without the need to manually open the lid by pulling
grip 80. Upon release of foot pedal 100, lift arm 114 and bar 90
return to their at rest positions, which allows lid 70 to close via
the force of gravity. Alternatively, the lever may be located
higher on the container, or even on the cover, and may be operated
by hand or electronically by a motion sensor or by pushing a
button. In the above embodiments, the lid of the waste bin opens
toward the user when the user engages the lever. However, in other
embodiments of the invention, the lid opens away from the user when
the user engages the lever, or when the user pushes the lid open
from the grip of the lid.
[0036] In one embodiment, a sanitary waste system is provided
comprising the above waste bin and a bracket for mounting the waste
bin to a wall. A suitable mounting bracket 200 is shown in FIG. 1.
Bracket 200 has a generally vertical back frame 202 that fits
against the wall, a generally horizontal bottom support wall 204,
and opposed generally vertical left and right side walls 206. Frame
202 has screw mounting holes 208 and 210, and a semi-rigid latch
212 that can clip onto bracket attachment lip 46 of handle support
42 to removably attach waste bin 10 to the bracket. As shown in
FIG. 1, the left and right side walls 206 are shaped to fit the
sides 24 of waste bin 10, thereby providing a smooth surface and
attractive design when the mounting frame is attached to the waste
bin. The bottom support wall 204 has a well 214 that allows the
pivot 104 assembly of waste bin 10 to function without being
impeded by the bracket.
[0037] In another embodiment, a sanitary waste system is provided
comprising the above waste bin and a tray for carrying at least
two, but typically four, of the bins in a predetermined position.
The bins typically are oriented back to back with their handles
adjacent each other so the bins can be gripped with one hand. A
suitable carrying tray 300 is shown in FIG. 6. Tray 300 has a
generally rectangular shape having a front wall 302, a back wall
304, and opposed side walls 306, all terminating in a generally
rectangular, horizontal top peripheral surface 308 and a vertical
peripheral edge 310. The peripheral edge 310 forms a lip that
extends around the exterior of tray, and provides a convenient hand
grip for carrying the tray. The tray 300 has four recessed sections
314 that extend vertically from the top of the tray to near the
bottom of the tray to accommodate the foot pedals of the waste
bins. The tray thus holds the bins in a back to back, space saving
orientation. This design also helps to securely hold the bins in
the tray during transport.
[0038] The components of the waste bin 10, including container 20,
top cover 50 and lid 70, mounting bracket 200, and tray 300 may be
constructed of hard plastic material molded to the desired shape
using known techniques. Other materials such as stainless steel,
aluminum or glass may also be used provided they can be formed into
the desired shape and hold the contents of the waste bin and any
perfume or disinfecting composition added to the container.
[0039] Container 20 typically comprises a suitable perfume or
fragrance that can counteract the objectionable odors from the
waste products and any disinfectant chemicals used in the
container.
[0040] Container 20 may also be partly filled with a chemical
disinfecting solution that is both a virucide and a germicide. The
solution acts to detoxify, sanitize and deodorize waste material
placed into the waste bin 10. The solution is typically non-toxic
and non-corrosive and has no adverse environmental or occupational
effects. Suitable disinfecting solutions are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,120,743, Papari, incorporated herein by reference.
[0041] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, various other changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover all such
changes and modifications that are within the scope of this
invention.
* * * * *