Disposal Bag And Support System

Abstract

A system for disposal of refuse is disclosed. The system includes a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support such that a first bag is held open to receive refuse and another bag is readily available to replace the first bag when the first bag is filled and removed. The support of the system is configured to be folded into a flat configuration.

Description

This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/217,036, entitled “Disposal Bag And System For Disposing Of Sanitary Products” and filed on Aug. 31, 2005, in the name of Wanda W. Jackson et al.; and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/215,908, entitled “Disposal Bag And System For Disposing Of Sanitary Products” and filed on August 31, 2005, in the name of Joseph Mitchell et al.; which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse in a various settings and for a multitude of applications. Whether it is in public facilities, restrooms, kitchens, offices or other settings where refuse is generated, disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse. Such bags are commonly used as liners for trash cans, waste bins, or other similar waste disposal units. The disposable bags, in such applications, are meant to protect the waste disposal unit from being fouled by any refuse so that the waste disposal unit does not require the frequent cleaning than would be needed if no such liner was used. This is particularly true in instances where the refuse may be wet or contain liquid. Such liners also make the collection and disposal of the refuse contained in a waste disposal unit more cleanly and convenient.

In use, such disposable bags are placed within the waste disposal unit in such a way that refuse is directed into the bag and does not fall between the bag and the interior side walls of the waste disposal unit. Where a plastic or flexible disposable bag is used as a liner, the top of the bag is often folded over the open periphery of the waste bin, or is otherwise secured near the top of such a bin. In other applications, such as sanitary napkin disposal bins used in public bath room facilities, paper, wax-coated paper, cellophane or plastic bags are often loosely placed in the bins, and rely on the structure of the bag to keep the bag upright and open to receive refuse.

However, such applications for disposable bags are often deficient. Plastic bags, even when placed over the upper edge of the bin, often slip down into the bin when the bag becomes filled. Additionally, plastic bags placed over the top periphery of waste bins often trap air between the bag and the bin. Such trapped air displaces space that is needed for waste within the bag and when more waste is disposed in the bin the trapped air often displaces and dislodges the bag from the periphery of the bin. In applications where paper or cellophane bags are used, such bags frequently collapse or fold inward, allowing sanitary products and the like to be disposed between the bag and a wall of the bin, thereby soiling the bin.

Removal of the disposable bags also creates problems. In use, the user must remove the bag and any refuse which may have fallen between the bag and the wall of the bin. Further, the user must then clean the bin before placing a new bag in the bin, so that the bin does not become malodorous. Such bag removal and cleaning is often a dirty, odorous, and unpleasant activity of the user. In commercial settings, bag removal and bin cleaning are hazardous activities for maintenance personnel, who must handle with care sanitary products and other refuse contaminated with body fluids and the like.

With the removal of each full bag, another empty bag must be secured in place prior to the waste disposal unit being ready to receive more refuse. Each time a new bag lo is placed in the unit is another instance when the bag may be placed improperly such that refuse falls between the bag and the interior walls or the waste disposal unit. In addition to the increased probability of incorrect bag installation or poor placement, placing a new bag in the bin is an extra step for a user to perform. In instances where maintenance personnel are servicing the waste disposal units of an entire facility, the time it takes to place a new bag in the waste disposal unit incrementally increases the time the maintenance personnel needs to take in cleaning the entire facility.

Such problems are experienced in both commercial and residential settings. Just as custodial staff have issues with liner bags collapsing in sanitary disposal units, similar problems occur with liners slipping down inside of bathroom refuse bins, office paper bins, and the like. Similarly, consumers have problems with trash bags slipping off of the waste bins in the kitchen, home, office, yard, or bathroom such that refuse falls between the outside of the bag and the bin.

Finally, all of the discussion thus far has been addressed to bags that are being used with an existing waste disposal unit, i.e., a trash can, a waste bin, recessed wall refuse container and the like. Such waste disposal units can be cumbersome to move to new locations or dispose of when they become damaged or exceptionally fouled. Replacement of such waste disposal units may be expensive. Additionally, such waste disposal units are not convenient for disposal of refuse in a temporary location or for a discrete period of time.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “refuse” refers to something that is discarded as worthless, useless, or used up. It is generally directed to rubbish, trash, garbage, and may include, among other things, discarded sanitary products, kitchen waste, office waste, bathroom waste, household waste, yard and garden debris, and the like.

As used herein, the term “sanitary products” include, but are not limited to, feminine napkins, tampons, colostomy bags, ileostomy bags, male incontinence pads, baby diapers, disposable training pants for children, adult incontinence products including pads, disposable underwear, and so forth.

As used herein, the term “fasteners” means devices that fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, snap-fits, tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking male/female connectors, such as fishhook connectors, a fish hook connector includes a male portion with a protrusion on its circumference. Inserting the male portion into the female portion substantially permanently locks the two portions together.

As used herein, the term “couple” includes, but is not limited to, joining, connecting, lo fastening, linking, or associating two things integrally or interstitially together.

As used herein, the term “configure” or “configuration” means to design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses. For example: a military vehicle that was configured for rough terrain; configured the computer by setting the system's parameters.

As used herein, the term “hinge” refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of a part to a stationary component. Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, and living hinges. Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotable movement of one member in relation to another connected member.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to something which is done to a great extent or degree; for example, “substantially covered” means that a thing is at least 95% covered.

As used herein, the term “alignment” refers to the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines.

As user herein, the terms “orientation” or “position” used interchangeably herein refer to the spatial property of a place where or way in which something is situated; for example, “the position of the hands on the clock.”

As used herein, the term “waste disposal unit” refers to a unit provided in a commercial or residential setting which is configured to receive refuse. Such waste disposal units include, disposal units such as sanitary disposal units, residential bathroom waste bins, residential kitchen refuse bins, commercial office waste bins, garbage cans, and the like.

As used herein, the term “sanitary disposal unit” refers to a unit provided on or in a wall or other structure of a public bathroom, that is, in the stall of each area containing a toilet, which is configured to receive sanitary products.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the problems and issues discussed above, it is desired to have an improved disposal bag system for disposing of refuse is desired. It would be desirable for such a system to provide a new empty disposal bag upon removal of an used disposal bag. In addition, such a system would desirably provide a safe and easy way for maintenance personnel to remove used disposal bags and seal them. Further, it would be desired that such a disposal bag system provide the user with additional functionalities to enhance the operation of the system, improve the system in use, and make the disposal of the refuse clean and easy. Finally, it is desired to have an easily transportable waste disposal system that may be placed wherever such a system is needed. Such a waste disposal system would desirably be used with an existing waste disposal unit or as a replacement of such a unit.

The present invention is directed to a system for disposal of refuse, including a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support such that one bag of the plurality of bags is held in an opened position to receive refuse and when the one bag is removed, another bag of the plurality of bags is readily available for disposal of refuse. The support has an upper support surface and at least one leg and is configured to be folded into a folded configuration. In some embodiments, from the folded configuration, the support may be erected manually or in other embodiments the support may self-erect from the folded configuration. The system may be adapted to fit within a waste disposal unit and prevent refuse from falling between the system and the interior walls of the waste disposal unit.

In some embodiments, the support may be configured to hold the plurality of bags while holding the upper edge of the one bag of the plurality of bags coupled to the upper support surface of the support, the support configured to hold the one bag in an opened position. Such a system may further include a holder pivotally coupled to the support and such a holder may be positioned over the upper support surface of the support to hold the open end of a bag on the upper support surface.

In other embodiments, the plurality of bags may be a continuous web of bags where the closed end of preceding bags are attached to the open end of the subsequent bag. Such a web of bags may be a roll of bags. Additionally, the web of bags may be contained and dispensed from a container.

Another embodiment of the system includes a frame to which the plurality of bags are attached in a nested configuration and are held open for the disposal of refuse. Such frames may have bonding material to attach them to the upper support surface of the support, may be made of a plurality of laminate frames, have frame indicia, provide an odor control enhancement, have a cinch to secure the frame to the upper support surface, or any combination of such features. The bags attached to such frames may have tabs and, or alternative, may have lines of weakness to facilitated removal of the bags from such frames.

In various embodiments, the bags of the plurality of bags may have pull indicia, an lo odor control enhancement, a bonding material to close and seal the bags for disposal, or any combination of such features. Additionally, in some embodiments, the support may provide an odor control enhancement.

The present invention is also directed to a system for disposal of refuse, including a support and a plurality of bags associated with the support, where the support is configured to be folded and restrained in a folded configuration, but will self-erect into an erect configuration when unrestrained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a support of the present invention in a folded configuration;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the support of FIG. 1B in an erected configuration, along with a plurality of bags, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1B and showing a holder pivotably mounted to the support, the holder in an upright position;

FIG. 3A is a perspective of another disposal system of the present invention in a restrained, folded configuration;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the disposal system of FIG. 3B in an unrestrained and self-erected configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view of a multiple laminate frame and bag assembly with a support, according the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another disposal system according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another disposal system according to the present invention and illustrating various bag enhancements; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another disposal system of the present invention, the bag assembly having a flexible frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example and embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention include these and other modifications and variations as coming within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The system of disposal of the present invention may be used for any refuse disposal needs. For simplicity the invention is discussed and illustrated in terms of the specific needs and application for use in sanitary product disposal and other specific refuse disposal applications. However, such examples are not intended to be limiting. Such concepts are applicable to not only to the specific refuse disposal applications discussed, but also to any waste disposal application that relies on refuse bags.

The disposal systems 30 of the present invention are generally illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7. The system 30 provides a plurality of bags 20 associated with a support 10. The support 10 has at least one leg 12 and an upper support surface 14 such that when the support 10 is in its erected configuration, as shown in FIGS.1B. 2, 3B, and 4-7, a bag 20 of the plurality of bags 20 may be held open to receive refuse. When such a bag 20 is filled with refuse, the filled bag 20 may be removed from the support 10, and another bag 20 is ready to be held open on the support 10 to receive the subsequent refuse.

The bags 20 may be provided in various formats, but all formats are associated with the support 10 in that one of the bags 20 is held up and open to readily accept refuse into such an open bag 20 and the rest of the plurality of bags 20 are held ready to replace the open bag 20 once it is filled. Such an association of bags 20 with the support may be individual bags 20 all held in reserve by the support 10 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), a web 55 of bags supplied along with and kept proximate to the support 10 (FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5), bags 20 provided on a frame 70,130 that is supported by the support 10, or any other configuration where a plurality of bags 20 are kept with the support 10 in such a way that the bags 20 are associated with the support 10, as discussed above.

In general, the support 10 of the system 30 of the present invention has an upper support surface 14 and at least one leg 12. The upper support surface 14 both supports the bags 20 and holds the bags 20 open during the disposal of refuse. Thus the upper support surface 14 defines the opening 17 of the support 10. Such an upper support surface 14 may be a fully enclosed perimeter 15, as shown in FIGS.1B. 3B, 5, 6 and 7, or may be discrete portions of the support 10 on which the bags 20 rest atop, such as shown in FIG. 4.

The support 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7, is desirably tubular, but is not limited to such a structure. It may be formed from light-weight plastic, metal, cardboard, paperboard, or any combination thereof. The materials used for the support 10 are dependent upon the desired use, design of the support 10, general design choice, and intended durability. One skilled in the art would understand how different materials would be appropriate for specific design criteria.

The support 10 may have one or more legs 12 that elevate the upper support lo surface 14 for disposal of refuse. As shown in FIGS.1B. 2, 6 and 7, the support 10 may have multiple legs 12. Alternatively, the support 10 may only have a single leg 12. For example, the support 10 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a helical compression spring design where the leg 12 is a single continuous portion of the support 10 that extends between the base 53 and the upper support surface 14 and elevates that upper support surface 14 above the base 53. Similarly, the support 10 may have one continuous leg 12 that is designed to both act as a base and elevate the upper support surface 14. In a example of a system 30 that could be used outdoors (i.e., for yard and garden waste and debris), a single leg 12 may act as a stake that may be driven into the ground to support an upper support surface 14 and the plurality of bags 20 associated with the support 10.

The leg(s) 12 of the support 10 may have a foot 13 at the end of the leg 12 to provide a discrete base for the support 10 (FIG. 4). Alternatively, the support 10 may have a full base 53, such as shown in the designs illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 5. However, as discussed above, however, the support 10 may be designed to not have a foot 13 or a base 52 (e.g., the leg 12 may function as a spike that is driven into the ground).

The support 10 of the system 30 is additionally designed to make shipping and transport of the support 10 simple and convenient. This is accomplished by the support 10 being designed to fold down into a folded configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A. As used herein, a “folded configuration” refers to a configuration of the support 10 that is folded to take up less space than when the support 10. Where the support 10 is fully unfolded into its erected configuration. As shown in FIG. 1A, the folded configuration takes up less room than the fully erected system 30, as shown in FIG. 1B. The folded configuration of the system 30 of FIGS. 1A and 1B only takes up the space that is inherent due to the dimensions of the support 10 itself, including overlapping legs 12.

In the systems 30 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 4, 6, and 7, the support 10 is designed to be folded by hinges 16 that connect the upper support surface 14 and the legs 12 of the support 10. In such designs the legs 12 may be folded up to the underside of the upper support surface 14. In the system 30 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, where the support 10 is a helical compression spring-type design, the folded configuration is acquired by pressing the upper support surface 14 toward the base 53. The spring design support 10 is thus put in a compressed, folded state (FIG. 3A). The folded configuration of a system 30 of the type shown in FIG. 5, is formed by pressing down each of the mesh walls 19 of the support 10 toward the base 53.

Other systems 30 according to the present invention may have a folded configuration, as discussed here, or may have different folded configuration as determined by the unique configurations of each particular system 30. In all such cases, the folded configuration puts the support 10 in a configuration that takes up less space than when the same support is fully erected, as necessary for the system 30 to be used for disposal of refuse.

From its folded configuration, the support 10 of the present invention needs to be unfolded into its erect configuration for system 30 to be used for disposal of refuse. The support 10 may be designed to be unfolded manually such that the user would manipulate the leg(s) 12 from the folded configuration to the erect configuration. Alternatively, the support 10 may be configured to self-erect.

Such a self-erecting support 10 would include springs, elastic members, or other structure, that is biased to the desired erect configuration necessary to support the assembly 10 and hold the bags 20 open for disposal of refuse. As such, the self-erecting support 10 may need to be restrained to hold it in a substantially flat configuration and when unrestrained would return to its unrestrained open and erect configuration during use. For example, the support 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a helical compression spring design. It is designed to be biased to the erect configuration shown in FIG. 3B. In such a system 30, one or more clasps 51 would be required to keep the support 10 restrained in the folded (or compressed) configuration, shown in FIG. 3A.

The size and shape of the system 30 may be any size and shape as appropriate for the desired use. The systems 30 illustrated in the figures are shown as generally rectangular, square or circular in shape, but they may be any shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, that is appropriate for the intended location, desired use, design choice, or any combination of such factors.

Similarly, the support 10 may be any size desired. The support may be of a size and shape to fit with bin of a waste disposal unit; it may be small enough to replace the bin in a sanitary disposal unit; it may be large enough to replace a trash bin in a home or a commercial setting; it may be large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris; or the support may be any other size adequate for the specific intended use. Such a support 10 may be configured, sized and shaped to work with an existing waste disposal unit or alternatively replace such a waste disposal unit.

The bags 20 of the system 30 may be formed as one continuous unit having a shape which generally follows the rectangular shape and opening 17 of the support 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 7. Alternatively, the bags 20 may be formed from one or two substantially flat panels which are heat sealed together to provide a generally rectangular bag. Each of the bags 20 includes an outer surface 27 and an inner surface 25. An opening 32 is desirably provided along an upper edge 48 of an upper end 49 of the bag 20. The configuration of the bag 20 is non-limiting, and any configuration for the bag 20 may be used.

The bags 20 may be made of any material that is appropriate for the application lo and the refuse that is typically to be disposed of in such bags. Typically such refuse bags or waste receptacle liners are made from plastics such as polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and other similar materials. The bags 20 may be made of a single ply of material or may be made from multiple plies of similar or dissimilar materials. Additionally, the bags 20 may be made from composites of films, nonwoven materials, woven materials, or combinations thereof. The bags 20 may incorporate elastic materials. The bags 20 may be puncture resistant. Different materials, substrate weights and thicknesses, elasticity, composite materials, and the like may be used in various combinations to provide the end user with a bag having the desired strength, flexibility, weight, puncture resistance, or other desired attributes.

The number of bags 20 used with a particular system 30 is dependant on the desired use of such a system 30 and is a function of the particular use, convenience and design choice. For example, the number of bags for a particular system 30 may be the number of bags 20 as are commonly removed during normal custodial intervals. If custodial staff empties a waste receptacle unit twice a day during a work week, it may be desired that the assemblies be equipped with ten bags. One skilled in the art would see that any number of bags may be effectively used in the system 30 of the present invention and would understand the balance between having enough bags to gain the efficiency of not having to replace bags with every disposal of a bag and having so many bags that the space for refuse is unacceptably limited.

The bags 20 may be small enough to be used as a replacement for the bins commonly used in sanitary disposal units in public restrooms or may large enough to be used outdoors to collect yard debris. The bags 20 may be any size, shape and design as is appropriate for the particular intended use of the system 30.

The plurality of bags 20 may provided to the system 30 a variety of formats as appropriate for the intended use of the system 30 and the particular support 10 used. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the bags 20 may a collection of individual bags 20 each having a tab portion 50 and a tab portion opening 52. The tab portion opening 52 of such may be used to secure the bags 20 to an attachment flange 18 present on the upper support surface 14 of that particular support 10.

Another bag format, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bags 20 may be provided to the system 30 in a nested configuration and attached to a frame 70,130 that supports the bags 20 upon the upper support surface 14. Similarly, the bags 20 may be individually associated with laminate frames 41 and configured into a nested configuration, as shown in FIG. 4.

Finally, the bags 20 may alternatively be provided to the system 30 as a continuous web 55 of bags 20. In such a web 55, the closed end of a preceding bag is lo attached to the open end 32 of the following bag, such as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5. In such systems 30, when one bag 20 is filled and removed from the system 30, it is removed from the end of the web 55, and the following bag 20 is then ready to be used to receive refuse. At any point during use, the closed end of the bag 20 receiving refuse will be attached to the web 55.

Such a continuous web 55 of bags 20 may be provided as a roll 56 of bags 20 (FIG. 5), in fan-folded format, or any other format as is known in providing an continuous web. Regardless of format, the continuous web 55 of bags 20 may be contained and dispensed from a container 61 having a dispensing opening 63, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Additionally, while the dispensing opening 63 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is associated with a container 61, the dispensing opening 63 may alternatively be a portion of the support 10, or a component attached to the support 10, through which the web 55 of bags may be dispensed without a container 61. In either case, the dispensing opening 63 may provide additional functionality to the system 30. By way of non-limiting examples, the dispensing opening 53 may be sized and shaped to help partially restrict the flow of the web 55 through the opening 63, help separate the bags 20 upon removal of a filled bag 20, hold the open end of a subsequent bag 20 once the preceding bag is removed, or may be configured for any combination of such functionalities.

The bags 20 of the system 30 of the present invention may be provided as discussed here or they may be provided in other formats as are known. The formats discussed are only intended to be exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. The bags 20 may be provided to the system 30 in any format that provides a plurality of bags such that when a bag 20 is filled with refuse, it may be removed and another bag 20 is readily available for disposal of refuse.

Additional functionality may be present in, on, or associated with the bags 20 of the present invention. For example, the bags 20 of the present invention may have one or more features that aid in the closure and disposal of the bag 20 containing refuse. In one option, each bag 20 may include a bonding material 105 (FIG. 6) which is desirably positioned on a surface of the bag 20 near the opening 32 of the bag 20. The bonding material 105 may include, for example, but not by way of limitation, an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cohesive adhesive, such as a latex, and so forth. The bonding material 105, may additionally be covered by a release strip that would protect the bonding material 105 prior to use and could be removed when it is desired to securely close the bag 20.

The bags 20 may have a tab 93 that aids in removing a particular bag 20 from the system 30. Such a tab 93 may additionally help securely close the bag. The tab 93 may be lo of a length to tie off a bag that has been twisted closed at its opening. Alternatively, more than one tab 93 may be present and such tabs could be tied together to close the bag 20.

Similarly, drawstrings, ties, or other such similar components may be present on or associated with the bags 20 to aid in the secure closure and disposal of bags 20 filled with refuse.

Another additional functionality could be an odor sorbing material that is disposed on or in each of the bags 20. A sheet of cardboard or paperboard 107 may be treated with an odor sorbing material and included in or on the bags 20. The sheet of paperboard 107 is desirably treated with an odor sorbing material such as activated carbon. One such activated carbon is NUCHAR SA activated carbon from Westco Corporation, New York, N.Y. For example, to provide such a sheet of paperboard 107, a mixture of 100 grams sodium silicate at 38.3% solids and 19.2 grams of activated carbon is dispersed in 20 grams of water. A final coating formulation having a solids of about 41% was obtained with the solids content consisting of about 33% carbon and 67% binder. The carbon concentration of the coating was about 14%. This formulation was applied to an uncoated side of paperboard. Such as PRINTKOTE bleached paperboard (available from Westvaco Corporation, New York, N.Y.) using a No. 12 wire wound rod at a coat weight of about 26 lbs/ream (ream size 3000 ft²) to a nominal thickness of about 1.2 mils. The weight of carbon in the applied coating was about 3.8 mg/in²

Starch or polyvinyl alcohol may be used as the binder system. Coating formulations useful in the present invention desirably have a solids content of from about 30-45% depending upon the method of application. Coat weights may range from 3-26 lbs/ream, and the activated carbon content of the coating may range from about 20-95%, depending upon the degree of odor absorption desired. One method of applying activated carbon to paperboard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,916, to Parks, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Another method of applying activated carbon to articles is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,424 to Bewick-Sonntag et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

Moreover, adhesives, such as pressure sensitive adhesives, may also be used as the binder system. Such a binder permits the activated carbon to be applied to plastics and/or polymers. As such, for example, but not by way of limitation, the inner surface 25 of the bags 20, or at least a portion thereof, may be treated with an activated carbon coating. Other activated carbon treatments, such as activated carbon ink, may be used as well for any portion of the bags 20.

The bag 20 itself may be treated or may be made of material that allows for easy removal of an individual bag from the plurality of bags 20. One problem often encountered with nested materials is the tendency of bags 20 to be attracted to each other, due to static electric charge when an inner bag of the plurality of bags 20 is being removed from the plurality of bags 20. To overcome this static attraction of bags, the bags 20 may have an anti-static treatment or may be made of a reduced static-susceptible material such as ultra low density polyethylene.

In various embodiments, additional functionalities may be added to the bags For example the bags may have an anti-viral or anti-bacterial treatment associated within or on the bags. Such treatments may help reduce the bacteria or virus levels within the bags.

Another possible functionality for the bags of the present invention is the incorporation of superabsorbent materials into the bags. Such superabsorbents could be added as a substrate to the bags or may be incorporated into the walls of the bags so to absorb any free liquid that may be present in the bags.

More particularly, an exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, and includes a support 10 having a upper support surface 14 providing an opening 17 that desirably is generally rectangular in shape. The support 10 desirably includes at least one leg 12. In this particular instance, a pair of legs 12 is provided. The support 10 includes an attachment flange 18 which is coupled to the upper support surface 14. The support 10 operates as a structure to hold a plurality of disposal bags 20, which are desirable releasably coupled to the attachment flange 18. The plurality of the bags 20 desirably each include a bag tab 50 having an bag tap opening therein 52 which permits the plurality of bags 20 to be coupled to the support 10, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2.

Each new bag 20 in the plurality of bags desirably is positioned such that its outer surface 27 near its upper edge 48 is positioned over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. When the bag 20 becomes filled, the release strips 36 covering the bonding material 105 on the inner surface 25 near the upper end 49 of the bag 20 are removed and deposited in the bag 20. The bag tab 50 is lifted from the attachment flange 18, and the sides of the bag 20 near the upper end 49 are pressed together so that the bonding material 105 provides closure and sealing of the bag 20.

A holder 80 may be used to assist in holding the bag 20 on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The holder 80 is desirably pivotably coupled to the support 10. The holder 80 is shown as a generally rectangular structure that closely follows the shape of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. The holder 80 includes a lower surface 84 which contacts the upper support surface 14. The lower surface 84 may include grooves (not shown) to permit the holder 80 to sit firmly on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. When the bag 20 becomes filled, the holder 80 assists in retaining the bag 20 on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 by providing weight and friction against the upper end 49 of the bag 20 so that the bag 20 does not pull away from the upper support surface 14. When the bag 20 is to be removed, the holder 80 desirably pivots upward, away from the upper support surface 14 so that the bag 20 may be removed therefrom.

The holder 80, or a portion thereof, may be formed from metal, plastic, cardboard, and so forth.

In a method of use, a plurality of disposable bags 20 which are coupled together desirably via there bag tabs 50 are provided. A support 10 is also desirably provided. The bags 20 are coupled to the support 10 via positioning the bag tab openings 52 in the bag tabs 50 over the attachment flange 18. A first bag is disposed on the upper support surface 14 of the support 10 by disposing its outer surface 27 adjacent its upper edge 48 over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. The holder 80 is then positioned over the perimeter 18 of the support 10 so that the holder is positioned against the upper edge 48 of the bag 20.

When the bag 20 is full, the user can easily lift the holder 80 and detach the bag 20 via the bag tab 50 from the remaining plurality of empty bags 20. The release strips positioned adjacent the inner surface 25 of the upper end 49 are removed and disposed in the bag 20, and the sides of the bag are pressed together. In this manner, the bag 20 is configured to seal itself to provide a closure to the bag 20. In the meantime, the next bag 20 in the plurality of bags 20 is desirably positioned over the support 10, as previously described.

Another exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this particular system 30, the support 10 is a helical (or coil) compression spring design having a circular upper support surface 14, a circular base 53, and a helical leg 12 that extends between the upper support surface 14 and the base 53. Such a support 10, may be a single, continuous tubular design or may be separate pieces that are joined together by any method or means as are known to join the particular materials used to make the individual pieces of such a support 10. The base 53 includes the bottom turn of the coil design and a circular piece that covers the area within that bottom turn of the coil.

The helical compression spring design of the support of FIGS. 3A and 3B is biased toward the erect configuration of FIG. 3B and is the shape the support 10 will assume when it is unrestrained. The folded configuration, shown in FIG. 3A, is obtained by compressing the spring design and restraining the support 10 with a clasp 51 attached to the base 53. The support 10 is more convenient to transport and store in this folded configuration. Prior use of the system 30, the support 10 is unrestrained by removing the clasp 51 thus allowing the support 10 to self-erect to the erect configuration of FIG. 3B.

The plurality of bags 20, in the system 30 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, are provided as a continuous web 55 of bags 20 contained within a container 61, and dispensed through a dispensing opening 63 in the top of the container 61. The container 61 may be releaseably attached to the base 53, such that the container 61 may be held in place during use, but may easily be removed once the web 55 of bags 20 is consumed and replaced with a new container 61 with a new web 55 of bags 20. Such attachment to the base 53 may be accomplished with a pressure sensitive adhesive, double-sided tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, or some other similar type of fastener.

In a method of use, the web 55 of bags 20 is pulled from the container 61 and a first bag 20 is disposed on the upper support surface 14 of the bag holder 10 by disposing its outer surface 27 adjacent its upper edge 48 over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. When the bag 20 is full, the user can detach the bag 20 from the continuous web 55 of bags and the next bag 20 is desirably position over the support 10, as previously described.

Another exemplary system 30 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. The system 30 shown in FIG. 5 is similar in operation to the system 30 as shown and described for FIGS. 3A and 3B. The plurality of bags 20 is provided to the system 30 as a continuous web 55 of bags in a roll 56 format. A roll holder 57 connected to the base 53 of the support 10, is used to hold the roll 56 in place during use of the system 30.

The support 10 of FIG. 5 is generally cube-shaped with an opening 17 at the top defined by the upper support surface 14, a base 53, and legs 12 and mesh side walls 19 on all four sides that extend between the base 53 and the upper support surface 14. The four joints where the legs 12 meet the base 53 and the four joints where the legs 12 and sides of the upper support surface 14 meet are all flexible such that the support 10 may be folded down and restrained in a folded configuration, with the meshed side wall 19 folded and proximate to the base 53. Prior to use, the support 10 is relieved of the restraint and biasing within those same joints will self-erect, or “pop-up”, the support into its erect configuration for use.

In the a similar manner of use as discussed above, the roll 56 is pulled such that a first bag 20 is disposed on the upper support surface 14 of the bag holder 10 by disposing its outer surface 27 adjacent its upper edge 48 over the perimeter 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. When the bag 20 is full, the user can detach the bag 20 from the roll 56 of bags and the next bag 20 is desirably position over the support 10, as previously described.

The support 10 as shown and described in FIG. 5, is desirably made of mesh sides 17 of nylon mesh with the legs 12 and the sides of the upper support surface 14 made of flexible rods enclosed within nylon sleeves. Such a support 10 is similar in design to pop-up nylon laundry hampers as are known.

FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, illustrate yet another exemplary disposal system 30 according to the present invention. The system 30 includes a plurality of bags 20 that are provided attached to a frame 70 that is adapted rest upon the upper support surface 14 of a support 10. The bags 20 are attached to the frame 70 in a nested configuration. Such a nested configuration refers to the bags 20 being situated such that all but an outermost bag 23 is fitted inside another of the plurality of bags 20. Furthermore, the plurality of bags 20 are held in an open configuration such that the innermost bag 21 is held open to receive refuse. Subsequent bag(s) 22 are fitted around the innermost bag 21 in a nested configuration. When the innermost bag 21 is filled, it is removed from the frame 70, and the subsequent bag 22 is then available for use as it is held open by the frame 70. All of the bags of the plurality of bags 20 may be the same type of bags or different types of bags may be present within the plurality.

In such a nested configuration, the outermost bag 23 may be removed from the frame 70 in the same manner as the previous bags or it may be disposed along with the frame 70. Additionally, the outermost bag 23 may be stronger bag than the other bags that are nested within the outermost bag 23 or may have a reinforcing liner such that if the bags nested within the outermost bag 23 were to fail, the refuse would ultimately be contained within the outermost bag 23.

Bags 20 are attached to the frame 70 and are individually removable when filled. Bags 20 are attached to the frame 70 by any means as is known in the art to attach bags 20 to the frame 70. For example, the bags 20 may be adhered to each other and the last bag adhered to the frame 70. Alternatively, the bags 20 may be attached to the frame 70 by fasteners, at various points about the frame 70. As another example, the bags 20 may be thermally sealed to the frame 70. The bags may alternatively be attached by any other type of fastener that is appropriate for the materials used for the bags and the frame 70. Any of such attachment methods or means may be used individually or in combination.

Additionally, it may be desired to attach the bags 20 to the frame 70 so they are easily and individually releasable from the plurality of bags upon the bag being filled with refuse. For example, the bag may be intermittently sealed to the frame 70 such that individual bags may be easily removed when appropriate. Alternatively, the bags may have perforations such that the bags may be torn from the plurality of bags without disturbing the attachment of the plurality of bags to the frame 70.

The bags 20, may additionally have tabs 93 that facilitate easy and cleanly removal bags 20 filled with refuse. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, such tabs 93 provide the user with a surface to grab on to in order to pull the bag free of the frame 70. Additionally, such tabs 93 may be associated with a line of weakness 91 to further facilitate the removal of the bags 20 from the frame 70. Such a line of weakness 91, may be perforations, areas of weakened material, scoring or other such means as to allow the bags 20 to be torn from the frame 70.

Additionally, pull indicia 103 may be associated with the tabs 93. Such indicia may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message. The pull indicia 103 may be used to help the user locate the tab 93, indicate the function of the tab 93, and help the user differentiate the individual tabs 93 of the plurality of bags 20.

Alternatively, or additionally, indicia may be used on the tabs 93, or on the bags themselves, to help the custodial staff determine if a new set of bags 20 should be installed or will need to be installed soon. For example, the outermost bag 23 may be a different color, or have a differently colored tab 93, than that of the other bags and thus indicate to the custodial staff that new bags 20 should be installed. One skilled in the art would be able to see how different indicia could be used on the tabs 93, or on the bags 20, to communicate a desired message to the user of such a system 30.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the frame 70 may be generally rectangular in shape, however, the frame 70 may be any size and shape as is appropriate for particular desired use. For example, the frame 70 may be rectangular, square, elliptical, circular, or any other shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, that is desired and is appropriate for the upper support surface 14 that it will rest upon.

The frame 70 may be made from any material that is appropriate to attach and support the plurality of bags 20 of the system 30. The materials of the frame 70 may be rigid as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, or may be flexible as shown in FIG. 7. It is intended that the frame 70 will be disposable and that the materials used to make the frame 70 will be appropriate for such disposal. Typically, the frame 70 will be make from heavy paper cardstock or plastic, however, the frame 70 may be made from any material that will support the plurality of bags 20.

In same manner as discussed for the bags 20, odor control functionality may additionally, or alternatively, be incorporated into the frame 70 or on to the surface of the frame 70 of the present invention.

The frame 70 may be a single, unitary piece or it may made up of a plurality of individual laminate frames 41 that are plied together to form the frame 70. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, individual laminate frames 41 may be plied upon a single base frame 40. In these laminate frame executions, the individual bags 20 of the plurality of bags 20 would each be attached to one of these individual laminate frames 41. Each of these individual laminate frames 41 and individual bag assemblies could then be removed upon the filling of the individual bag.

The frame 70 may also be designed to include disposal functionality. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the frame 70 may be formed such that each opposed end portions of the frame 70 is formed to include a hinge or foldable portion, desirably a living hinge 113. The foldable portion may be scored, folded and/or notched in middle to each opposed end portion of the frame 70 so that the frame 70 folds as shown and/or described herein. Therefore, as used herein, “foldable portion” includes both a hinge and a scored, folded and/or notched area which permits each end portion of the frame 70 to fold. The frame 70 desirably includes a bonding material 115 such as, for example, but not by way of limitation, an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cohesive adhesive, such as a latex, and so forth, that is disposed on at least a portion of the frame 70. When a pressure sensitive adhesive is used, it is desirably covered by a release strip 117. When the assembly is removed, the frame 70 is configured to fold inward along a direction indicated by the arrows. Desirably, release strips 117 are removed and deposited in the bag, and the frame 70 is folded inward so that the upper surface of the frame 70 adheres to itself to create a secure closure of the assembly.

Additionally functionality may be added to the frame 70 or the laminate frames 41 to improve the ease of removal or alternatively, or additionally, communicate a desired message to the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laminate frames 41 may have frame tabs 43 that provide the user with a portion of the particular laminate frame 41 that can be easily grasped to remove that frame 41. Such frame tabs 43 may additionally have tab indicia 45 that help differentiate the frame tabs 43, indicate to the user where they need to pull to remove the frame 41, indicate the number of laminate frames 41 remaining, or any other message, or combination of messages, that are desired to be communicated to the user.

Similarly, or alternatively, the laminate frames 41 may have frame indicia 47 associated with the frame 41 to indicate a message to the user. Such frame indicia 47 may be located at distinct locations on individual laminate frames 41 or may be located on the entire laminate frame 41. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laminate frames 41 have frame indicia 47 that differentiate the individual laminate frames from each other. As such, if the user saw a letter “A” on the frame they would know that they had several laminate frame and bag assemblies available before they would have to replace the entire assembly of laminate frames 41. Similarly, the base frame 40 may have a frame indicia 47; when such a base frame 40 indicia was visible, the user would know that a new assembly of laminate frames 41 should be installed.

Whether they are on the frame tabs 43, on the laminate frames 41, or both, such frame indicia 47 may be any word(s), numeral(s), line(s), symbol(s), picture(s), physical shape(s), color(s), texture(s) and/or combination(s) thereof, and so forth, which communicates to the user a desired message. One skilled in the art would be able to see how various indicia types and locations could be used to communicate a desired message to the user of the disposal system of the present invention.

The frames 70 shown in the variations of FIGS. 4 and 6, all illustrate frames 70 that need to be rigid enough to be capable of being supported by the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. However, the frame may alternatively be a flexible frame 130, as shown in FIG. 7. Such a flexible frame 130 may be made of the same materials as the bags 20 or may be made of some similar flexible material. The flexible frame 130 may be made of an elastic material.

As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible frame 130, may fit over the periphery 15 of the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. Additionally, the flexible frame 130 may also have a cinch 133 that helps secure the flexible frame 130 to the upper support surface 14 of the support 10. Such a cinch 133, may be an elastic band, a draw string capable of being pulled tight, crimping of a portion of the flexible frame 130, or some other similar means or method associated with the flexible frame 130 that secures the flexible frame 130 in place while in use.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples and discussion, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A system for disposal of refuse, the system comprising:

a support; and

a plurality of bags,

where the support comprises an upper support surface and at least one leg

where each bag of the plurality of bags comprises an upper edge, a closed end, and an open end,

where the plurality of bags are associated with the support such that an individual bag of the plurality of bags is held in an opened position to receive refuse thereinto,

where each bag of the plurality of bags is detachable and removeable such that when the open bag is filled with refuse the bag is detached and removed and another bag is held in an opened position to receive refuse thereinto, until all bags of the plurality are removed, and

where the support is configured to be folded into a folded configuration.

2. The system of claim 1, where the support is configured to be erected manually from the folded configuration.

3. The system of claim 1, where the support is configured to self-erect from the folded configuration.

4. The system of claim 3, where the system is adapted to fit within a waste disposal unit and prevent refuse from falling between the system and an interior wall of such a waste disposal unit.

5. The system of claim 3, where the support is configured to hold the plurality of bags, where the support couples the upper edge of the open bag to the upper support surface of the support, and where the support is configured to hold the bag in the opened position.

6. The system of claim 5, where the support comprises a holder pivotally coupled thereto.

7. The system of claim 6, where the holder is positioned over the upper support surface of the support to hold the open end of the bag on the upper support surface.

8. The system of claim 1, where the plurality of bags comprises a continuous web of bags, where the closed end of preceding bags are attached to the open end of subsequent bags.

9. The system of claim 8, where the continuous web of bags comprises a roll of bags.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a container, where the container comprises a dispensing opening, and where the container is adapted to contain the continuous web of bags and dispense said web through the dispensing opening of the container.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a dispensing opening through which the continuous web of bags is dispensed.

12. The system of claim 3, further comprising a frame, where the plurality of bags are attached to the frame and each individual bag of the plurality of bags is held open for the disposal of refuse thereinto, and

where each individual bag of the plurality of bags is nested within each other and inside an outermost bag.

13. The system of claim 12, where the frame comprises a bonding material on an underside of the frame, the bonding material facing the upper support surface of the support.

14. The system of claim 12, where the frame further comprises a plurality of laminate frames, where each laminate frame is attached to an individual bag.

15. The system of claim 12, where each individual bag of the plurality of bags comprises a tab, where the tab is configured to facilitate removal of the individual bag from the frame when the tab is pulled.

16. The system of claim 12, where the frame comprises a frame indicia.

17. The system of claim 12, where each individual bag of the plurality of bags further comprises a line of weakness, where the line of weakness facilitates the removal of the individual bags from the frame.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising an odor control enhancement provided by the frame.

19. The system of claim 14, where the individual laminate frames each comprise at least one bonding material portion where the individual laminate frames are configured to be folded, and where when an individual laminate frame is removed from the system for disposal, the frame is configured to fold together, close off and seal the opening of the laminate frame.

20. The system of claim 12, where the frame further comprises a cinch, where the cinch is configured to secure the frame to the upper support surface of the support.

21. The system of claim 1, where at least one of the individual bags of the plurality of bags comprises a pull indicia.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising an odor control enhancement provided by the plurality of bags.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising an odor control enhancement provided by the support.

24. The system of claim 1, where the individual bags of the plurality of bags further include a bonding material that closes and seals the individual bags for disposal.

25. A system for disposal of refuse, the system comprising:

a support comprising an upper support surface and at least one leg; and

a plurality of bags;

where the plurality of bags are associated with the support such that one bag of the plurality of bags is held in an opened position to receive refuse and when the one bag is removed, another bag of the plurality of bags is readily available for disposal of refuse thereinto, and

where the support is configured to be folded into a folded configuration, restrained in such a folded configuration and when unrestrained to self-erect into an erect configuration.