Disposable bag with absorbent liner

Abstract

A disposable bag for holding waste products is disclosed, having an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening for receiving waste products. The enclosure is made with a formable material capable of conforming to a shape to hold the waste products in a vertically oriented container and an absorbent liner integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing fluid components of the waste products. The liner is integrated to the inner surface and adhered to the surface of the bag. The absorbent liner is located on the sides of the enclosure opposite of the opening of the enclosure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to disposable trash bags and, more particularly, to a disposable trash bag having an absorbent liner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human activity inherently generates waste. People commonly dispose of daily waste into trash receptacles. The trash receptacle may be found in many locations, such as homes, restaurants, businesses, offices, and public places. To aid in emptying the trash, it is convenient to place a trash bag or liner in the receptacle. The trash bag allows for the collection of waste in a more efficient and less messy manner. The bag may be made of plastic material to conform to the shape of the receptacle. The trash bags are commonly sold to consumers rolled up on a tube where each bag can be rolled off the tube and/or torn away from the roll. The bag is opened by the user and placed in the receptacle. When full of waste, the bag is removed from the receptacle, closed up, and disposed of in a proper location and manner. A clean new bag is placed back in the receptacle.

The bag in the receptacle provides for the collection of solid waste material. The solid waste may take the form of a variety of materials, such as paper products, aluminum cans, or plastic containers. The trash bag provides an efficient manner to collect the waste while protecting the receptacle from soil and damage. The bag is able to work effectively regardless of the shape of the solid waste because of its flexible construction.

When waste is discarded into the receptacle, the waste may contain liquid along with the solid material. For example, when a soda can containing some portion of its original liquid contents is disposed of in the receptacle, the liquid soda in the can may leak out into the bag in the receptacle. The liquid will eventually end up at the bottom of the trash bag. The collection of liquid in the trash bag creates a problem when the user attempts to remove the bag from the receptacle.

Most trash bags are not manufactured or sealed so as to be watertight. Accordingly, any liquid in the bottom of the bag may seep out because of the way the bag was manufactured, or because the bag was punctured by solid waste in the receptacle. Commonly, the receptacle is not made of a transparent material that would allow for the user to see through to its interior space. Since the receptacle is typically not emptied until the receptacle is full of waste, a user would not be able to know if liquid has accumulated in the bottom of the bag until attempting to remove the bag from the receptacle. The liquid waste may drip or seep from the bag while being lifted out and carried away, creating additional cleanup. Also, the receptacle itself will likely need to be cleaned to prevent potential health problems that may be associated with standing liquid.

There exists a need for a trash receptacle bag that will not allow liquid waste to escape the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a disposable bag for holding waste products comprising an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening for receiving waste products. The enclosure is made with a formable material capable of conforming to a shape to hold the waste products in a vertically oriented container. An absorbent liner is integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing fluid components of the waste products.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a bag for waste disposal, comprising an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening. An absorbent liner is integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing liquid components of waste products.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a container for holding items comprising a vessel that has an opening for the placement of items. The vessel has an inner and outer surface. An absorbent element absorbs liquid components of items placed in the container. A liner includes the absorbent element and is integrated to the inner surface of the vessel.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for making a disposable bag for holding waste products comprising providing an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening for receiving waste products, the enclosure being made with a formable material capable of conforming to a shape to hold the waste products in a vertically oriented container, and providing an absorbent liner integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing fluid components of the waste products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a disposable bag that is open to show an absorbent liner;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of a disposable bag and an absorbent liner;

FIG. 3 illustrates a disposable bag being used with a trash receptacle;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a closed disposable bag containing waste products;

FIG. 5a illustrates a cross section of the integration of the disposable bag and an absorbent liner; and

FIG. 5b illustrates a cross section of the disposable bag having two layers that contain an absorbent liner with one of the layers of the disposable bag being perforated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention is described in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the following disclosure and drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a disposable bag 10 is shown for holding waste products. Bag 10 includes sheets of stretchable material joined together to attain the depicted shape. Sheets of stretchable material 14 includes a polymeric material which is capable of being stretched, flexed or bent. For purposes of the present application, the terms “stretched” or “stretchable” includes terms such as “flexed” or “flexible”. The material in sheet 14 is capable of being stretched repeatedly, i.e., is pliable, compliant, and deformable. For example, an item of waste can cause sheet 14 to stretch to accommodate its size, shape, and weight.

Sheet 14 may use a variety of means to connect to another sheet 15 in order to form bag 10. Bag 10 can be formed from a sheet 14 folded upon sheet 15 along a fold line and bonded to sheet 15 along side seams. Bag 10 can be folded along other fold lines and bonded along other seams. Alternatively, bag 10 can have a unitary construction where one sheet 14 is formed and molded to the desired shape. Finally, bag 10 can be constructed from a continuous tube of sheet 14 material. Using a continuous tube of material eliminates some seams and provide additional strength.

Sheet 14, and by incorporation, bag 10 can be constructed from various suitable compositions and materials. Sheet 14.can include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, coated (waxed) and uncoated paper, coated nonwovens and substantially permeable materials such as scrims, meshes, wovens, nonwovens, or perforated or porous films, whether predominantly two-dimensional in nature or formed into three dimensional structures. Sheet 14 can include a single composition or layer or can be a composite structure of multiple materials or layers.

Sheet 14 can include materials such as fabrics or non-polymeric materials that have properties similar to conventional polymeric materials. Sheet 14 can include biodegradable material. Sheet 14 can include recycled material, such as recycled milk containers. Sheet 14 can be fabricated from polymers created from renewable resources, such as limonene oxide obtained from citrus peels. Finally, sheet 14 can include a combination of man-made, biodegradable, recycled or renewable materials. Sheet 14 can comprise of materials that allow bag 10 to be disposed of when the bag is full of waste products.

In certain applications, sheet 14 can include non-stretchable materials such as plastic or cloth. Bag 10 can be constructed with non-stretchable material by molding the material into a form with a bottom side and four upright sides that are bonded to the bottom side. An opening on one end of bag 10 is formed when the upright sides and bottom side are connected. Bag 10 comprising a non-stretchable material can be formed through the use of a mold that allows for the formation of bag 10 when the material is allowed to dry, or is otherwise constructed through other known methods of container construction with such materials.

Once the desired materials incorporated into sheet 14 are manufactured in any commercially desirable and suitable manner. Heat, mechanical, or adhesive sealing technologies can be utilized to join various components or elements of bag 10 to themselves or to each other. In addition, bag 10 can be thermoformed, blown, or otherwise molded rather than using traditional bonding techniques to construct bag 10 bodies from a web or sheet 14 of material.

Bag 10 can be formed into a variety of shapes. FIG. 1 depicts bag 10 as rectangular in shape. The shape is a common shape for similar bags because many trash receptacles have a rectangular shape. Bag 10 can be formed into other shapes such as circular or square. Bag 10 can be further elongated in any of the shapes to accommodate any shape trash receptacle. The type of waste dictates the size of the trash can or receptacle, and bag 10 can be constructed in a manner to fit into the trash receptacle. For example, a trash receptacle serves as a soda can recycling bin will usually have a cylindrical shape. The shape allows for the most amount of soda cans to be placed in the receptacle. Bag 10 could be constructed to have a cylindrical shape to fit into a trash receptacle of this shape.

When bag 10 is created, two surfaces are formed, an inner and outer surface. The inner surface is located on the inside of bag 10. The surface comes into contact with any object that is placed in bag 10. The outer surface is located on the outside of bag 10. The surface would contact any trash receptacle that bag 10 is placed into.

In FIG. 1, there is an opening in the bag that allows objects to be placed into the bag. Sheet 14 is comprised of flexible material that allows for bag 10 to conform to the shape of any container that bag 10 is placed into. In one embodiment, sheet 14 is made of a flexible plastic material. Associated with bag 10 is an absorbent liner 12. The absorbent liner is integrated on a surface of bag 10. The absorbent liner can be adhered to a surface of bag 10, or the absorbent liner can be attached to a surface of bag 10.

The absorbent liner can be made from any material that exhibits the traits of being able to absorb liquid material when the liquid material is placed on the liner. For example, absorbent liner 12 can be comprised of cotton, wool, universal sorbents, cotton terry, or any material made of natural, artificial or polymer fibers. Absorbent liner 12 should be made of a material that has a capacity to absorb liquid material. Depending on the size of bag 10 and the intended objects to be placed in bag 10, the absorbent liner can be comprised of differing absorbent material. For example, if bag 10 is to be placed into a trash receptacle at a bar, absorbent liner 12 can be made from a material that has the ability of absorbing a high quantity of liquid. However, if the trash receptacle is to be located in an office, absorbent liner 12, for bag 10, can be made from a material that has a lower absorbing quality, for example, cotton.

Absorbent liner 12 can be composed of an absorbent element that is included in a liner. The absorbent element can comprise of any material that has a quality to absorb liquid components. The absorbent element can encompass the entire area of absorbent liner 12. The absorbent element can cover only a portion of absorbent liner 12. For example, absorbent liner 12 can cover an entire surface of bag 10, but the absorbent element can be associated with absorbent liner 12 on the bottom surface of bag 10.

Turning to FIG. 2, absorbent liner 12 is integrated onto a surface of bag 10. Absorbent liner 12 is integrated over a portion of a surface of bag 10, but absorbent liner 12 can also completely cover a surface of bag 10. Absorbent liner 12 can be integrated over a smaller portion of a surface of bag 10. The amount of coverage of absorbent liner 12 over a surface of bag 10 can be dependent on the intended use of bag 10. For example, if bag 10 is intended to be used in a restaurant, absorbent liner 12 can cover an entire surface of bag 10 because a large number of liquid waste products can be placed in bag 10. However, if bag 10 is intended to be used in an office, absorbent liner 12 can cover only a small portion of the bottom of a surface of bag 10.

The location of absorbent liner 12 can vary depending on the intended use of bag 10. In FIG. 2, absorbent liner 12 is integrated on a surface of bag 10 where most of the surface is integrated with absorbent liner 12. Absorbent liner 12 can be integrated on the portion of the surface of bag 10 that will become the bottom of bag 10 when the bag is placed in a vertically oriented container. Absorbent liner 12 can be integrated on the surface of bag 10 that will become the sides of bag 10 when bag 10 is placed in a vertically oriented container. Depending on the intended use of bag 10, absorbent liner 12 can be integrated with as much or as little of the surface of bag 10.

Absorbent liner 12 in FIG. 2 is shown having a small thickness when compared to the thickness of sheet 14. The amount of thickness of absorbent liner 12 depends on the intended use of bag 10. The thickness of absorbent liner 12 can be substantial. Absorbent liner 12 can have a thickness that is less than the thickness of sheet 14. The desired material of absorbent liner 12 will have an impact on the size of the thickness. For example, if cotton terry is chosen as absorbent liner 12, the thickness will be greater than the thickness of the bag.

The use of a higher quantity of absorbent liner 12 can cause the thickness of absorbent liner 12 to be greater than the thickness of sheet 14. The desired thickness is dependent on the balance of the intended use of bag 10 and the end weight of bag 10. Sheet 14 is only able to handle a certain weight of waste products before the bag will begin to tear. Absorbent liner 12, no matter the chosen material, adds weight to bag 10 that must be accounted for when choosing sheet 14.

Absorbent liner 12 is shown in FIG. 2 to be of uniform thickness in bag 10. Absorbent liner 12 can have varying thickness throughout a surface of bag 10 that absorbent liner 12 is integrated with. The thickness of absorbent liner 12 can be greater on the bottom surface of bag 10 because gravity will cause most liquid components of waste products to collect at the bottom of bag 10. The sides of bag 10 may not require a thick absorbent liner 12 because liquid components of waste products will not be associated with the side of bag 10 for a long amount of time. Absorbent liner 12 can have a greater thickness on any portion of a surface of bag 10 depending on the intended use of bag 10. Absorbent liner 12 can taper near the end to provide a smoother surface of bag 10. Absorbent liner 12 can end bluntly to provide uniform thickness of absorbent liner 12 in bag 10.

Turning to FIG. 3, bag 10 is shown being used in a vertically oriented container 16, such as a trash receptacle. For the purposes of this present application, “vertically oriented container” includes “trash can” and “trash receptacle.” Bag 10 is shown as being folded over the top of trash receptacle 16. Bag 10 is folded over trash receptacle 16 to allow for waste objects to be placed in bag 10. Further, the folding over of bag 10 over trash receptacle 16 prevents bag 10 from falling into trash receptacle 16 when objects are placed in bag 10. If bag 10 falls into trash receptacle 16, then bag 10 will not be able to protect trash receptacle 16 from becoming dirty by the placing of waste objects into trash receptacle 16. Other mechanisms can be used to prevent bag 10 from falling into trash receptacle 16. For example, trash receptacle 16 can have hooks or flaps that attach to bag 10 to prevent bag 10 from falling into trash receptacle 16. Bag 10 is able to function when bag 10 is prevented from falling into trash receptacle 16. However, bag 10 can be used without trash receptacle 16.

Trash receptacle 16 in FIG. 3 is shown to be of rectangular in shape. Trash receptacles can be made in many different shapes, such as square or cylindrical. Bag 10 can be made from a material that is flexible to form to the shape of trash receptacle 16. This flexibility allows for bag 10 of any shape to be placed into trash receptacle 16 of any shape. Bag 10 can be made into the shape of the intended trash receptacle 16 when the intended trash receptacle 16 shape is known. But bag 10 of any shape can work even if the shape of bag 10 is different than the shape of trash receptacle 16.

Trash receptacle 16 may not be necessary if bag 10 is made of a nonflexible material. For example, if bag 10 is made from hard plastic in the a circular shape, bag 10 will not fit in rectangular shape trash receptacle 16. However, bag 10 made of hard plastic does not need to be placed into trash receptacle 16 because bag 10 is able to be vertically oriented without the aid of trash receptacle 16. Trash receptacle 16 provides a means of orienting bag 10 vertically so that bag 10 can accept waste products.

Turning to FIG. 4, bag 10 is shown to be closed with waste objects located inside of bag 10. Bag 10 can be closed by twisting two sides of bag 10 together and tying the sides into a knot. Bag 10 can also be closed by the use of a drawstring that can cinch up bag 10 to a close. Other known means of closing a bag can be employed to close bag 10. Bag 10 does not need to be closed in order for bag 10 to perform the function. If bag 10 is made of a non-flexible material, then bag 10 can not be closed. The closing of bag 10 allows for bag 10 to be placed in the waste receptacle for collection without spilling the contents of bag 10 into the waste receptacle. Collection and removal of waste is facilitated with the ability to close bag 10. However, the collection and removal of waste does not require that bag 10 be closed by any means.

When bag 10 is closed by means of a knot or other mechanisms, bag 10 can become round in shape. The round shape of bag 10 can result from sheet 14 being a flexible material that forms to the shape of the waste objects placed in bag 10 and the tension created from the closing of the open end of bag 10. For example, bag 10 would form to the shape of box 20 and soda can 18 that have been placed in bag 10. Bag 10 can form to any shape object that is placed in bag 10.

Absorbent liner 12 is shown in FIG. 3 to be integrated on a majority of a surface of bag 10. Absorbent liner 12 is flexible similar to sheet 14 so that absorbent liner 12 conforms to the shape of the objects placed in bag 10. The flexibility of absorbent liner 12 allows for bag 10 to retain the flexibility that is expected of disposable garbage bags. However, when sheet 14 comprises a non-flexible material, absorbent liner 12 will not be flexible because sheet 14 is not flexible. Bag 10 will retain the shape regardless if a waste object is placed into bag 10, and absorbent liner 12 will retain the shape of bag 10 because absorbent liner 12 is integrated with a surface of bag 10.

When a waste object is placed into bag 10, such as soda can 18, a liquid component of the waste object can locate onto a surface of bag 10. Over time, this liquid component can seep through a conventional garbage bag and spill into the container or over a floor when the garbage bag is removed. In the present invention, the liquid component of soda can 18 would be absorbed by absorbent liner 12 that is integrated on a surface of bag 10. The absorption of the liquid component by absorbent liner 12 prevents the liquid component from seeping through bag 10 and into either the container or spilling on the floor when bag 10 is removed from the container and transported.

Because a liquid component of a waste product can spill onto any portion of a surface of bag 10 when the product is placed in bag 10, absorbent liner 12 can be integrated on any portion of a surface of bag 10. Gravity will cause any liquid component that is spilled on a surface of bag 10 to collect at the bottom of bag 10. Bag 10 can have absorbent liner 12 integrated on the bottom surface of bag 10 because the liquid component of a waste product will eventually be located at the bottom of bag 10.

FIG. 5a shows the integration of absorbent liner 12 and sheet 14. The two materials are associated with each in a manner where there is no space between each material. Absorbent liner 12 may not be able to separate from sheet 14. An intended use of bag 10 can have absorbent liner 12 removed from bag 10. The mechanism of how absorbent liner 12 is integrated with sheet 14 is dependent on the intended use of bag 10. For example, if sheet 14 comprises a hard plastic, absorbent liner 12 can be integrated in a manner that allows a user to remove absorbent liner 12 after using bag 10.

Absorbent liner 12 can be adhered to sheet 14 by using an adhesive to bind the two materials together. The adhesive can be glue or any polymer that is able to hold two materials together. Absorbent liner 12 may be adhered to sheet 14 through a heating and cooling mechanism that binds the two materials together.

Absorbent liner 12 can be attached to sheet 14. The two materials can be attached by an adhesive or sewn together. Absorbent liner 12 can be sewn to sheet 14 around the edges of absorbent liner 12. The attachment of the two materials can be such that the entire surface of each material that are in contact are attached to each other.

Turning to FIG. 5b, absorbent liner 12 is shown to be in the middle of two layers of sheet 14. The top layer of sheet 14 is shown to have been perforated. This perforation of the top layer of sheet 14 allows absorbent liner 12 to absorb liquid components of waste products that are placed in bag 10. The means of perforation can include holes or slits in the top layer of sheet 14. Any means of allowing liquid components to pass through the top layer sheet 14 can be used. Without the top layer of sheet 14 being perforated in some manner, the liquid components would not contact absorbent liner 12 and defeat the purpose of absorbent liner 12.

The use of two layers of sheet 14 to integrate absorbent liner 12 with a surface of bag 10 allows absorbent liner 12 to not be in contact with all of the waste products placed in bag 10. Liquid components of waste products will collect on a surface of bag 10 because of the liquid components ability to move and gravity pulling the liquid component towards a surface of bag 10. When the liquid component contacts the top layer of sheet 14, the perforations allow the liquid component to be absorbed by absorbent liner 12. The top layer of sheet 14 protects absorbent liner 12 from waste products that could puncture or tear absorbent liner 12.

Each layer of sheet 14 in FIG. 5b can be integrated with absorbent liner 12. The two layers of sheet 14 can be adhered to the absorbent liner using an adhesive to bind the two materials together. The adhesive can be glue or any polymer that is able to hold two materials together. Absorbent liner 12 may be adhered to either layer of sheet 14 through a heating and cooling mechanism that binds the two materials together. Absorbent liner 12 may be adhered to the bottom layer sheet 14.

Absorbent liner 12 can be attached to either layer of sheet 14. The two materials can be attached by an adhesive or sewn together. Absorbent liner 12 can be sewn to sheet 14 around the edges of absorbent liner 12. The attachment of the two materials can be such that the entire surface of each material that are in contact are attached to each other. Absorbent liner 12 can be attached to only the bottom layer of sheet 14.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A disposable bag for holding waste products, comprising:

an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening for receiving waste products, the enclosure being made with a formable material capable of conforming to a shape to hold the waste products in a vertically oriented container; and

an absorbent liner integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing fluid components of the waste products.

2. The disposable bag of claim 1, wherein the absorbent liner is adhered to the surface of the enclosure.

3. The disposable bag of claim 1, wherein the absorbent liner is located on the sides of the enclosure opposite of the opening of the enclosure.

4. The disposable bag of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is made with a flexible plastic material.

5. The disposable bag of claim 1, wherein the absorbent liner is attached to the surface of the enclosure.

6. The disposable bag of claim 1, wherein the absorbent liner is attached to the surface of the enclosure that is located at the bottom of the vertical oriented container when the enclosure is placed in the container.

7. A bag for waste disposal, comprising:

an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening; and

an absorbent liner integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing liquid components of waste products.

8. The bag of claim 7, wherein the absorbent liner is adhered to the surface of the enclosure.

9. The bag of claim 7, wherein the absorbent liner is located on the sides of the enclosure opposite of the opening of the enclosure.

10. The bag of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is disposable after use.

11. The bag of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is made with a flexible plastic material.

12. The bag of claim 7, wherein the absorbent liner is attached to the surface of the enclosure.

13. The bag of claim 7, wherein the absorbent liner is attached to the surface of the enclosure that is located at the bottom of the vertical oriented container when the enclosure is placed in the container.

14. A container for holding items, comprising:

a vessel that has an opening for the placement of items, the vessel having an inner and outer surface;

an absorbent element that absorbs liquid components of items placed in the container; and

a liner that includes the absorbent element, the liner is integrated to the inner surface of the vessel.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the absorbent element is attached to the liner.

16. The container of claim 14, wherein the absorbent element is adhered to the liner.

17. The container of claim 14, wherein the liner is adhered to the surface of the vessel.

18. The container of claim 14, wherein the liner is located on the sides of the vessel opposite of an opening of the vessel.

19. The container of claim 14, wherein the vessel is disposable after use.

20. The container of claim 14, wherein the vessel is made with a flexible plastic material.

21. A method for making a disposable bag for holding waste products, comprising:

providing an enclosure sealed on all sides save for a single opening for receiving waste products, the enclosure being made with a formable material capable of conforming to a shape to hold the waste products in a vertically oriented container; and

providing an absorbent liner integrated into a surface of the enclosure for absorbing fluid components of the waste products.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the absorbent liner is adhered to a surface of the enclosure.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the enclosure is made with a flexible plastic material.