Waste Disposal Apparatus

Abstract

A waste disposal apparatus includes a lid lock mechanism for locking a lid and an upper part of a waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state, and a main body lock mechanism for locking the upper part and a lower part of the waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state. The waste disposal apparatus further includes a lid unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking the lid lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening the lid, and a main body unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking the main body lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening the upper part of the waste accommodating main body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to waste disposal apparatuses for disposing of waste materials such as soiled diapers.

2. Description of the Background Art

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-502784 of unexamined applications discloses a technique relating to waste disposal apparatuses for disposing of waste materials such as soiled diapers.

A waste disposal apparatus described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-502784 of unexamined applications includes a cylindrical film having its one end closed, and a waste accommodating main body for receiving a waste material placed in the film, together with the film. The waste accommodating main body includes a lower part that is a hollow container having an opening at its upper end, a tubular upper part that is pivotally attached to the lower part by a hinge, a lid that is pivotally attached to the upper end of the upper part by a hinge so as to be able to open and close, and clamps for releasably locking the upper part and the lower part together, and for releasably locking the lid and the upper part together. The lid includes a rotatable cutter blade for cutting the film.

When placing a waste material into this waste disposal apparatus, the clamp for the lid is released to open the lid, and the waste material is placed in the film. When emptying the waste accommodating main body, the cutter blade is rotated to cut the film, the clamp is released to pivot open the upper part of the waste accommodating main body, and then waste materials stored in the waste accommodating main body are thrown out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in such a conventional waste disposal apparatus as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-502784 of unexamined applications, the clamp for locking the upper part and the lower part of the waste accommodating main body together has a simple structure, and thus infants may accidentally release the clamp and open the upper part of the waste accommodating main body. The clamp for locking the lid and the upper part of the waste accommodating main body also has a simple structure, and infants may accidentally open the lid.

As described above, the conventional waste disposal apparatus has the cutter blade for cutting the film. Thus, infants can be injured if they accidentally open the upper part of the waste accommodating main body or the lid and put their hands into the waste accommodating main body.

The present invention was developed to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a waste disposal apparatus for disposing of waste materials such as soiled diapers, which includes a lock mechanism that is prevented from being accidentally unlocked by infants and is capable of being easily locked and unlocked with one hand.

A waste disposal apparatus according to the present invention includes: a waste accommodating main body having an upper part and a lower part which are separably connected together, and having an opening at its upper end; and a lid connected to the waste accommodating main body so as to be able to open and close the opening of the waste accommodating main body; and a sealing mechanism, and a film accommodating portion that accommodates a film for storing a waste material, which are attached to the upper part of the waste accommodating main body; and a lid lock mechanism for locking the lid and the upper part of the waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state; and a main body lock mechanism for locking the upper part and the lower part of the waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state; and a lid unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking the lid lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening the lid; and a main body unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking the main body lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening the upper part of the waste accommodating main body.

According to the present invention, in order to open the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body, the user needs to operate the lid unlock mechanism or the main body unlock mechanism in a specific direction to unlock the lid lock mechanism or the main body lock mechanism, and also needs to open the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body in a specific direction different from that direction. This makes it very difficult for infants, who have neither an intent to open the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body nor knowledge of how to open it, to open the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body. This can prevent infants from accidentally opening the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body.

As a preferred embodiment, each of the lid unlock mechanism and the main body unlock mechanism may include an unlock operation portion and an opening operation portion within reach of fingers of operator's one hand.

According to the present invention, the unlock operation and the opening operation of the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body can be easily performed with one hand.

As a preferred embodiment, the unlock operation portion may be a push button that is pressed by a finger.

According to the present invention, since the unlock operation portion is a push button, the user can easily figure out how to operate the unlock operation portion, and can easily operate the unlock operation portion.

As a preferred embodiment, the opening operation portion may be a recess or a protrusion which is held by a finger.

The lid may be pivotally connected at its one end to the upper part of the waste accommodating main body by a hinge, and the lid lock mechanism and the lid unlock mechanism may be provided at the other end of the lid, which is located on a side opposite to the hinge.

The upper part of the waste accommodating main body may be pivotally connected at its one end to the lower part of the waste accommodating main body by a hinge, and the main body lock mechanism and the main body unlock mechanism may be provided at the other end of the upper part of the waste accommodating main body, which is located on a side opposite to the hinge.

According to the present invention, the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body can be opened by unlocking the lid lock mechanism or the main body lock mechanism and pivoting the lid or the upper part of the waste accommodating main body about the hinge as a fulcrum. Moreover, the recess or the protrusion is provided so as to be held by a finger when performing the pivoting operation. Thus, the waste disposal apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that the pivoting operation can be easily performed.

As a preferred embodiment, the hinge that connects the upper part and the lower part of the waste accommodating main body may be provided substantially in a middle of a vertical height of the waste disposal apparatus.

According to the present invention, when unlocking the main body lock mechanism to pivot open the upper part of the waste accommodating main body, the back face having the hinge in the upper part of the waste accommodating main body contacts the back face having the hinge in the lower part of the waste accommodating main body, whereby the pivoting movement is stopped, and at the same time, the upper end of the lid contacts the ground or the floor.

This prevents the waste disposal apparatus from falling down in the pivoting direction by a force caused by pivoting of the upper part of the waste accommodating main body, and also stabilizes the center of gravity of the waste disposal apparatus when the upper part of the waste accommodating main body is open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross section of the waste disposal apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side cross section of the waste disposal apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side cross section of a sealing mechanism of the embodiment in the state where a sealing door is closed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side cross section of the sealing mechanism of the embodiment in the state where the sealing door is open.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged side cross section showing nipping shapes of an L-shaped sealing door and an inverted L-shaped sealing door receiving portion of the embodiment when the L-shaped sealing door is open, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged side cross section showing the nipping shapes of the L-shaped sealing door and the inverted L-shaped sealing door receiving portion of the embodiment when the L-shaped sealing door is closed.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged side cross section showing nipping shapes of a convex sealing door and a concave sealing door receiving portion of an embodiment of the present invention when the convex sealing door is open, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged side cross section showing the nipping shapes of the convex sealing door and the concave sealing door receiving portion of the embodiment when the convex sealing door is closed.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a film accommodating portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the waste disposal apparatus of the embodiment as viewed obliquely from behind.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side cross section of a main body lock mechanism and a lid lock mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of unlocking the main body lock mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side cross section showing a state where an upper part of a waste accommodating main body of the embodiment is pivoted.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of unlocking the lid lock mechanism according to the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a waste disposal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2-3 are side cross sections of the waste disposal apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state where a sealing door is closed, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the sealing door is open.

A waste disposal apparatus 11 includes: a waste inlet 16 for inserting a waste material D such as a soiled diaper therethrough; a cylindrical film 15 extending downward from the waste inlet 16 and having its lower end closed by a knot 26; a waste accommodating main body 13 for receiving the waste material D inserted through the waste inlet 16, together with the film 15; and a lid 23 that covers the waste inlet 16 from above.

The long film 15 is attached to the waste inlet 16. The film 15 extends downward so as to cover the opening of the waste inlet 16.

The waste accommodating main body 13 is a hollow container for storing waste materials D that are placed in the film 15, and is divided into a lower part 17 and an upper part 19. The lower part 17 of the waste accommodating main body 13 has a bottom 17b at its lower end, and has an opening at its upper end. The upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 covers, at its lower end, the opening at the upper end of the lower part 17, and has the waste inlet 16 at its upper end.

An open/close sealing mechanism 28 is provided inside the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13. The sealing mechanism 28 nips the film 15 at a position between the waste inlet 16 and the stored waste material D to seal the stored waste material D. The sealing mechanism 28 has a sealing door 33 and a sealing door receiving portion 35.

The sealing mechanism 28 will be described later.

When disposing of a waste material D, the user first opens the lid 23 to place the waste material D into the film 15 from the waste inlet 16. Then, the user inserts his/her hand into the waste inlet 16, and pushes the film 15 down together with the waste material D to open the sealing door 33. The waste material D thus pushed down, together with the film 15, passes between the opened sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35. The waste material D then drops downward along the film 15, and is stored in the waste accommodating main body 13. As soon as the user drops the waste material D to a position below the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35, and removes his/her hand from the waste inlet 16, the sealing door 33 closes to nip the film 15. Since a new length of the film 15 is pulled out from the waste inlet 16, the waste inlet 16 is always supplied with a new length of the film 15.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section of the sealing mechanism 28 of FIG. 2 when the sealing door 33 is closed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section of the sealing mechanism 28 of FIG. 3 when the sealing door 33 is open.

The waste disposal apparatus 11 contains the open/close sealing mechanism 28 that nips the film 15 at a position between the waste inlet 16 and the waste material D placed in the waste accommodating main body 13, and seals the waste material D.

The sealing mechanism 28 has the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35. Upon closing of the sealing door 33, the sealing door 33 engages with the sealing door receiving portion 35 to nip the film 15 therebetween.

A nipping portion of the sealing door 33 has a contact surface 33c that contacts the sealing door receiving portion 35 when the sealing door 33 engages with the sealing door receiving portion 35. A nipping portion of the sealing door receiving portion 35 has a contact surface 35c that contacts the sealing door 33 when the sealing door 33 engages with the sealing door receiving portion 35. The contact surfaces 33c, 35c are shaped so as to mesh and engage with each other in the state where the sealing door 33 is closed.

The sealing door receiving portion 35 is attached and fixed inside the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the sealing door 33 covers and closes the waste inlet 16 from beneath in the state where the sealing door 33 is closed.

A guide rail 37 for guiding the sealing door 33 in opening and closing directions is attached and fixed to the inner wall of the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13. The guide rail 37 is attached and fixed at a position below the sealing door receiving portion 35, and the sealing door 33 slides along the guide rail 37.

The sealing door 33 is biased toward the sealing door receiving portion 35, and in a normal state, the sealing door 33 is closed in an engaged state with the sealing door receiving portion 35. In the normal state, as shown in FIG. 2, the film 15 is nipped by the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35.

If the user pushes the sealing door 33 down, the sealing door 33 slides in the opening direction, namely away from the sealing door receiving portion 35. As shown in FIG. 3, when the sealing door 33 is opened, the nipped film 15 is released to allow the waste material D to be inserted into the waste accommodating main body 13.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, the side cross sectional shape of the contact surfaces 33c, 35c, which is formed when the sealing door 33 is closed and engages with the sealing door receiving portion 35, is a combination of an L shape formed in the sealing door 33 and an inverted L shape formed in the sealing door receiving portion 35.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged side cross section schematically showing nipping shapes of the L-shaped sealing door 33 and the inverted L-shaped sealing door receiving portion 35 of the present embodiment when the L-shaped sealing door 33 is open. FIG. 6B is an enlarged side cross section schematically showing the nipping shapes of the L-shaped sealing door 33 and the inverted L-shaped sealing door receiving portion 35 of the present embodiment when the L-shaped sealing door 33 is closed.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the contact surface 33c of the sealing door 33 has flat surfaces 33c₁, 33c₂, 33c₃. The flat surface 33c₁ crosses the upper surface of the sealing door 33 to form a right angled L-shaped corner. The flat surface 33c₂ crosses the flat surface 33c₁ to form a right angled L-shaped corner. The flat surface 33c₃ crosses the flat surface 33c₂ and the lower surface of the sealing door 33 to form a right angled L-shaped corner.

The contact surface 35c of the sealing door receiving portion 35 has flat surfaces 35c₁, 35c₂, 35c₃. The flat surface 35c₁ contacts the flat surface 33c₁ and is parallel to the flat surface 33c₁. The flat surface 35c₂ contacts the flat surface 33c₂, and forms a right angled L-shaped corner with the flat surface 35c₁. The flat surface 35c₃ contacts the flat surface 33c₃, and forms a right angled L-shaped corner with the flat surface 35c₂.

When the sealing door 33 slides in the direction shown by arrow in FIG. 6A from the open state of FIG. 6A to the closed state of FIG. 6B to nip the film 15, the film 15 is bent at right angles at two L-shaped corners α₁, α₂. That is, an imaginary straight line, which connects an upper end β and a lower end γ of the nipped portion of the film 15 shown in FIG. 6B, is bent substantially horizontally between the L-shaped corners α₁, α₂.

The waste material D placed in the lower end of the film 15 is pulled downward by its own weight due to the gravity. That is, the film 15 is continuously subjected to a downward tension by the waste material D as shown by white arrow in FIG. 6B.

If the film 15 being subjected to such a tension is nipped as shown in FIG. 6B, and is bent at right angles at the two L-shaped corners α₁, α₂, the film 15 is subjected to a higher tension at these L-shaped corners α₁, α₂. Thus, a remaining airflow path, which causes passing of odors in the related art described above, is closed at right angles, whereby odor sealing capability can be significantly increased.

Moreover, the film 15 need not be twisted upon every disposal of a waste material D, which can avoid the disadvantage that the maximum amount of waste that can be accommodated in the waste disposal apparatus 11 is reduced by the twists of the film 15.

The L shape and the inverted L shape can be easily formed when mass producing the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35 by a die molding method. Thus, the waste disposal apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is advantageous in terms of mass production of the products.

FIGS. 7A-7B show another embodiment of the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35. FIG. 7A is an enlarged side cross section showing nipping shapes of a convex sealing door 33 and a concave sealing door receiving portion 35 of the present embodiment when the convex sealing door 33 is open. FIG. 7B is an enlarged side cross section showing the nipping shapes of the convex sealing door 33 and the concave sealing door receiving portion 35 of the present embodiment when the convex sealing door 33 is closed.

In the present embodiment, the side cross sectional shape of the nipping portions of the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35 is a combination of a convex shape formed in the sealing door 33, and a concave shape formed in the sealing door receiving portion 35 so as to receive the convex shape.

More specifically, a contact surface 33c of the sealing door 33 has a ridge 133 having a convex cross section, and a contact surface 35c of the sealing door receiving portion 35 has a ridge groove 135 having a concave cross section. The ridge 133 protrudes in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the sealing door 33.

Thus, when the sealing door 33 slides in the closing direction to engage with the sealing door receiving portion 35, the convex shape of the sealing door 33 engages with the concave shape of the sealing door receiving portion 35 without hindering the sliding movement.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the contact surface 33c of the sealing door 33 is formed by surfaces 33c₁ to 33c₅, and the contact surface 35c of the sealing door receiving portion 35 is formed by surfaces 35c₁ to 35c₅. Of these surfaces 33c₂ to 33c₅, 35c₁ to 35c₅, the surfaces 33c₂, 33c₄ and the surfaces 35c₂, 35c₄ are surfaces that extend substantially perpendicularly to an imaginary straight line connecting an upper end β and a lower end γ of the nipped portion of the film 15 shown in FIG. 7B.

Thus, when the sealing door 33 slides in the direction shown by arrow in FIG. 7A from the open state of FIG. 7A to the closed state of FIG. 7B to nip the film 15, the film 15 is bent at right angles at four L-shaped corners α₁ to α₄. That is, the film 15 is bent substantially horizontally between the L-shaped corners α₁, α₂, and between the L-shaped corners α₃, α₄.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, the film 15 is pulled in the direction shown by white arrow at the bent portions α₁, α₂, α₃, α₄ by the weight of the waste material D. Thus, the film 15 is subjected to a high tension at the four L-shaped corners α₁, α₂, α₃, α₄, and a remaining air flow path formed inside of the film 15 is closed at right angles, whereby odors can be sealed more reliably.

Moreover, the film 15 need not be twisted upon every disposal of a waste material D, which can avoid the disadvantage that the maximum amount of waste that can be accommodated in the waste disposal apparatus 11 is reduced by the twists of the film 15.

Furthermore, the concave and convex shapes can be easily formed when mass producing the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35 by a die molding method. Thus, the waste disposal apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is advantageous in terms of mass production of the products.

The waste disposal apparatus 11 further includes a spring 39 for continuously biasing the sealing door 33 toward the sealing door receiving portion 35. The larger the biasing force of the spring 39 is, the more the force for nipping the film 15 can be increased, whereby the odor sealing capability can further be increased.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a film accommodating portion 14. The waste disposal apparatus 11 includes the film accommodating portion 14, which forms the waste inlet 16 and also accommodates the film 15. The film accommodating portion 14 is detachably attached to a film attachment portion 12 provided in an upper region of the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13, and forms the outline of the waste inlet 16. The film accommodating portion 14 has a cylindrical tubular core 27 extending downward from the waste inlet 16, a tubular core flange 27f provided at the lower end of the tubular core 27, and a film holding flange 29 that is fitted and fixed to the upper end of the tubular core 27.

The film 15 is accordion folded in the axial direction of the tubular core 27, and is coaxially inserted on the outer diameter side of the tubular core 27. The film holding flange 29 is fitted and connected to the tubular core 27 so as to prevent the film 15 from coming off from the tubular core 27.

That is, by the film holding flange 29 located at the upper end of the tubular core 27, and the tubular core flange 27f located at the lower end of the tubular core 27, the film 15 is compressed in the accordion folded state and accommodated in the space between the upper and lower ends in the axial direction of the tubular core 27.

The film 15 is a consumable part of the film accommodating portion 14. If the film 15 accommodated in the film accommodating portion 14 runs out, the user replaces the used film accommodating portion 14 in the film attachment portion 12 with a refill film accommodating portion 14.

Preferably, the film accommodating portion 14 may be configured so that only the film 15 is replaced with a refill film when the film 15 accommodated in the film accommodating portion 14 runs out.

In the operation of placing the refill film accommodating portion 14 in the film attachment portion 12, the user of the waste disposal apparatus 11 first pulls out an end of the film 15, which is accommodated in the compressed state on the tubular core 27, upward beyond the outer peripheral edge of the film holding flange 29 while keeping the lid 23 open. Then, the user ties a knot 26 at this end of the film 15 to close the film 15. The user pushes the knot 26 down through the tubular core 27 to the bottom 17b while pulling the film 15 out of the film accommodating portion 14.

By disposal of waste materials such as soiled diapers into the film 15, the waste materials are accumulated in the film 15, and the film 15 accordion folded on the outer diameter side of the tubular core 27 is pulled out in the downward direction upon each disposal. Thus, the user can successively dispose of waste materials into the waste accumulating main body 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in the waste disposal apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, the film accommodating portion 14 is supported by the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the axial direction of the tubular core 27, namely the opening direction of the waste inlet 16, crosses a vertical line at a predetermined angle. Thus, the waste inlet 16 is provided in a tilted state.

Note that although not shown in the figures, the film accommodating portion 14 may be supported by the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the opening direction of the waste inlet 16 is horizontal. In this case, the axis O of the tubular core 27 extends horizontally. In this configuration as well, a tension can be applied to the nipped portion of the film.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the sealing door 33 has a substantially flat upper surface 34. The upper surface 34 will be described in detail later. In the waste disposal apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, the sealing door 33 is supported by the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 is tilted at a predetermined angle corresponding to the tilted axial direction of the tubular core 27 and crossing a horizontal plane. The sealing door 33 advances and withdraws at the predetermined angle to and from the sealing door receiving portion 35. An advancing/withdrawing direction S of the sealing door 33 is tilted at an angle different from that of the axial direction of the tubular core 27.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the following expression (1) is satisfied, where θ₁₆ represents a tilt angle of the waste inlet 16 (the tubular core 27) with respect to a vertical line, and θ₃₃ represents a tilt angle of the advancing/withdrawing direction S of the sealing door 33 with respect to a vertical line.

0°<θ₁₆<θ₃₃  (1)

According to the present embodiment, the tilt angle θ₃₃ of the advancing/withdrawing direction S of the sealing door 33 is larger than the tilt angle θ₁₆ of the waste inlet 16. Thus, as the sealing door 33 is withdrawn in the opening direction, the sealing door 33 can move away from the axis O of the tubular core 27. When opened, the sealing door 33 can be sufficiently separated from the film 15. Thus, the film 15 is opened wide when the sealing door 33 is opened, which enables the user to easily insert a waste material D into the waste accommodating main body 13.

Note that although not shown in the figures, the sealing door 33 may be supported by the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 extends perpendicularly to the horizontal direction (θ₃₃=90°). In this case, the sealing door 33 advances and withdraws horizontally. In this configuration as well, the sealing door 33 can be effectively separated from the film 15 when opened.

Mothers typically lay their children down on the floor to change diapers. Namely, mothers typically sit on the floor while changing diapers. According to the present embodiment, mothers can easily insert soiled diapers (waste materials) through the waste inlet 16 and open the sealing door 33 to place the soiled diapers into the waste accommodating main body 13 without standing up after changing diapers in a sitting posture.

According to the present embodiment, the film accommodating portion 14 is supported by the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the axial direction of the tubular core 27 crosses the vertical line at the predetermined angle. Moreover, the sealing door receiving portion 35 is positioned so that the nipping portions, which are formed by engagement between the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35 located below the film accommodating portion 14, are provided in a lower region of the tilt of the lower surface of the tubular core flange 27f.

Thus, the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 is substantially flat, but to be exact, a front part 34f of the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 is substantially flat, and a rear part 34r of the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 is gently curved so as to be tilted with respect to the front part 34f.

Referring to FIG. 4, the film accommodating portion 14 is supported in a tilted state by the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 so that the front side of the film accommodating portion 14 is located lower than the rear side thereof. Moreover, the sealing door 33 cooperates with the sealing door receiving portion 35 on the front side of the sealing door 33, namely on the lower side of the tilt of the sealing door 33, to nip the film 15. In other words, when the sealing door 33 is in a closed state, the contact surfaces 33c, 35c, each having an L-shaped cross section, are present between the film accommodating portion 14 and the front part 34f of the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33, but not between the film accommodating portion 14 and the rear part 34r of the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33.

Thus, when the sealing door 33 is in a closed state, the front part 34f of the upper surface 34, which is adjacent to the nipping surface 33c, is located below and away from the film accommodating portion 14.

On the other hand, no shape for nipping the film 15 is provided on the rear side of the sealing door 33. Thus, when the sealing door 33 is in a closed state, the rear part 34r of the upper surface 34 is located near the lower end of the film accommodating portion 14. In this manner, the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 is formed by two different surfaces (the flat front part 34f and the tilted rear part 34r) in order to contact the sealing door receiving portion 35 to close the waste inlet 16 from beneath.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 34 of the sealing door 33 is formed so as to satisfy the following expression (2), where θ_34f represents an angle of the front part 34f with respect to a horizontal plane, and θ_34r represents an angle of the rear part 34r with respect to a horizontal plane.

0°≦θ_34f<θ_34r  (2)

Thus, by putting his/her hand on the rear part 34r of the upper surface 34 when pushing the sealing door 33 open to dispose of a waste material D, the user can efficiently transmit the pushing force to the sealing door 33. Thus, the user can open the sealing door 33 with a smaller force.

Not that as a modification of the present embodiment, the rear part 34r of the upper surface 34 may be substantially perpendicular to the advancing/withdrawing direction S. According to this modification, the pushing force that is applied from the user's hand to the sealing door 33 can be applied to the spring 39 without being reduced. Thus, the user can push the sealing door 33 open with a small force.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the sealing door 33 engages with the sealing door receiving portion 35 on the front side of the sealing door 33, namely on the lower side of the tilt of the sealing door 33, to nip the film 15.

The film 15, which is accommodated in the film accommodating portion 14 so as to be able to be pulled out from the waste inlet 16, passes vertically downward through the tubular core 27, and is accommodated together with the waste material D in the lower part 17 of the waste accommodating main body 13. Thus, the film 15 is pulled vertically downward by the weight of the waste material D placed in the film 15 due to the gravity.

The tubular core 27 is supported in a tilted state so that the front side of the tubular core 27 is located lower than the rear side thereof. Thus, provided that L₀ represents a diameter of the waste inlet 16, and θ₀ represents a tilt angle of the waste inlet 16 with respect to the horizontal direction, the film 15 is naturally drawn toward the lower side of the tilt, namely toward the front side, at least by a distance L₀ (1−cos θ₀).

The film 15 is nipped by the sealing door 33 and the sealing door receiving portion 35 at a position on the lower side of the tilt to which the film 15 is naturally drawn. This facilitates nipping of the film 15 by the sealing mechanism 28, whereby more efficient sealing for blocking passing of odors can be expected.

The operation of opening the waste accommodating main body 13 will be described below.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of a main body lock mechanism 25 and a lid lock mechanism 24 of the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view of the waste disposal apparatus 11 of the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from behind. FIG. 11 is an enlarged side cross section of the main body lock mechanism 25 and the lid lock mechanism 24.

When the waste disposal apparatus 11 is used normally, the upper part 19 and the lower part 17 of the waste accommodating main body 13 are closed so that the upper part 19 covers at its lower end a main body opening 17h located at the upper end of the lower part 17. The film attachment portion 12 is provided in an upper region of the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13, and the film accommodating portion 14 is attached to the film attachment portion 12.

A main body hinge 31 is provided on the back face of the waste accommodating main body 13. The main body hinge 31 is provided substantially in the middle of the vertical height of the waste disposal apparatus 11. The upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 is pivotally attached to the lower part 17 thereof by the main body hinge 31, and is pivotable about the main body hinge 31 as a fulcrum. As the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 is pivoted, the main body opening 17h at the upper end of the lower part 17 is open to the outside.

The main body lock mechanism 25 and a main body unlock mechanism are provided on the front face of the waste accommodating main body 13. When being locked, the main body lock mechanism 25 prevents pivoting of the upper part 19 in the state where the upper part 19 covers the lower part 17, namely in the state where the upper part 19 closes the lower part 17. The main body unlock mechanism is a mechanism for unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25.

The main body lock mechanism 25 has a columnar main body push button 21, and a push button receiving hole 32 that is formed as a through hole in the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 in order to latch and lock the main body push button 21.

The main body push button 21 is formed in the upper end of a vertical flexible pillar portion 21p. The lower end of the pillar portion 21p is connected to the upper end of the lower part 17 of the waste accommodating main body 13.

The main body push button 21 is a column that protrudes in the outer diameter direction of pivoting of the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13. A push button outer peripheral edge 21g, which is an outer peripheral edge of the column, engages with the push button receiving hole 32 formed in the lower end of the upper part 19, thereby preventing pivoting of the upper part 19.

The main body unlock mechanism includes the main body push button 21 as an operation portion for unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25, and an opening operation portion for placing a user's hand thereon to pivot open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 after unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25.

The upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 has a handle 22 as the opening operation portion. The handle 22 is provided at the lower end of the front face of the upper part 19, which is located on the side away from and opposite to the back face of the upper part 19 to which the main body hinge 31 is attached. The handle 22 is positioned near and below the main body push button 21.

The main body push button 21 is disengaged from the push button receiving hole 32 and the main body lock mechanism 25 is unlocked only while the main body push button 21 is being pressed. If the user releases the main body push button 21, the pillar portion 21p is restored to its original position, and the main body lock mechanism 25 is locked again.

When the waste accommodating main body 13 is filled with waste materials D, the user empties the waste accommodating main body 13 by unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25 and opening the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25. As shown in FIG. 12, the user places four fingers, namely fingers other than the thumb, of one hand on the handle 22 from beneath, and at the same time presses with the thumb the main body push button 21 located near and above the handle 22, thereby unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25. The user lifts the handle 22 while unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25. Thus, the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 is pivoted toward the back side, and the waste accommodating main body 13 is opened.

FIG. 13 is a side cross section showing the state where the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 of the present embodiment has been fully pivoted. When emptying the waste accommodating main body 13 that is filled with waste materials D, as shown in FIG. 13, the user first fully opens the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13, and cuts the film 15 with a film cutter 38. Then, the user ties a knot to close the cut face of the film 15, and removes the bag of the film 15 filled with the waste materials D from the waste accommodating main body 13 to throw the bag out. After emptying the waste accommodating main body 13, the user places the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 over the lower part 17 thereof. Thus, the push button 21 engages with the push button receiving hole 32, and the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 is locked again.

In the waste disposal apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, the main body push button 21 is positioned near and above the handle 22 so that, when unlocking the main body lock mechanism 25 to pivot open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13, an adult user can press the main body push button 21 with other finger while supporting the handle 22 with any of the fingers of his/her one hand.

More specifically, the main body push button 21 is positioned on a path the thumb is ergonomically most likely to follow naturally when the user places the other four fingers on the handle 22 from beneath and closes his/her hand with the four fingers as a fulcrum.

This makes it easier and more comfortable for the user to unlock the main body lock mechanism 25 to pivot open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13. That is, the user can unlock the main body lock mechanism 25 with one hand according to his/her movement of naturally closing his/her hand.

In order to unlock the main body lock mechanism 25 to open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13, the user needs to press the main body push button 21 in the inner diameter direction that is substantially perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the upper part 19, and to lift the handle 22 to pivot the upper part 19.

Since such two operations in different directions are required, it is very difficult for infants, who have neither an intent to open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 nor knowledge of how to open it, to open the upper part 19. This can prevent the infants from accidentally opening the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 and being injured by touching the film cutter 38 for cutting the film 15.

On the other hand, adults with intent to open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 can easily unlock the main body lock mechanism 25 and open the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 with one hand. Thus, the waste disposal apparatus 11 is easy to handle when throwing out the waste materials D stored in the waste accommodating main body 13.

The operation of opening the lid 23 will be described below.

The lid 23 is pivotally attached, at its end on the back side, to the upper end of the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13 by a lid hinge 30, and the lid 23 is pivotable about the lid hinge 30 as a fulcrum. When the lid 23 is pivoted open, the waste inlet 16 is open to the outside as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the waste disposal apparatus 11 includes a lid lock mechanism 24, and a lid unlock mechanism. When being locked, the lid lock mechanism 24 prevents pivoting of the lid 23 in the state where the lid 23 covers the waste inlet 16, namely in the state where the lid 23 is closed. The lid unlock mechanism is a mechanism for unlocking the lid lock mechanism 24.

The lid lock mechanism 24 has a lid push button 20, and a lid push button receiving portion 36 provided in the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13. The lid push button 20 is provided in the lower part of the front face of the lid 23. A lid push button hook 20h is formed at the lower end of the lid push button 20. The lid push button hook 20h moves integrally with the lid push button 20.

The lid push button receiving portion 36 is formed at the upper end of the upper part 19 of the waste accommodating main body 13. When the lid 23 is in a closed state, the lid push button receiving portion 36 engages with the lid push button hook 20h.

The lid unlock mechanism includes the lid push button 20 as an operation portion for unlocking the lid lock mechanism 24, and an opening operation portion for placing a user's hand thereon to pivot open the lid 23 after unlocking the lid lock mechanism 24.

As the opening operation portion, the lid 23 has a lid handle 18 on the front face of the lid 23. The lid handle 18 is positioned near and above the lid push button 20.

When inserting a waste material through the waste inlet 16, the user unlocks the lid lock mechanism 24 to open the lid 23. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of unlocking the lid lock mechanism 24.

When the user places four fingers, namely the fingers other than the thumb, of his/her one hand on the lid handle 18 from above, and presses the lid push button 20 by the thumb as shown in FIG. 14, the lid push button 20 together with the lid push button hook 20h moves in the pressing direction, and the lid push button hook 20h is disengaged from the lid push button receiving portion 36, whereby the lid lock mechanism 24 is unlocked. The user lifts the lid handle 18 while pressing the lid push button 20 with the thumb and unlocking the lid lock mechanism 24. Thus, the lid 23 is pivoted toward the back side, and the waste inlet 16 is opened.

After inserting a waste material through the waste inlet 16, the user closes the lid 23. Thus, the lid push button hook 20h is restored to its original position, and is engaged again with the lid push button receiving portion 36, whereby the lid lock mechanism 24 is locked.

In the lid lock mechanism 24, the lid push button hook 20h is disengaged from the lid push button receiving portion 36 only while the lid push button 20 is being pressed. That is, if the user releases the lid push button 20, the lid lock mechanism 24 is locked again.

Thus, in order to unlock the lid lock mechanism 24 to open the lid 23, it is necessary to press the lid push button 20 in the inner diameter direction that is substantially perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the lid 23, and to lift the lid handle 18 to pivot the lid 23. This makes it very difficult for infants, who have neither an intent to open the lid 23 nor knowledge of how to open it, to open the lid 23. This can prevent the infants from accidentally opening the lid 23 and putting their hands into the waste disposal apparatus 11.

However, adults with intent to open the lid 23 can easily unlock the lid lock mechanism 24 and open the lid 23 with one hand. Thus, the waste disposal apparatus 11 is easy to handle when inserting waste materials through the waste inlet 16.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the user can place the four fingers other than the thumb of his/her one hand on the lid handle 18 from above, and at the same time press the lid push button 20 located near and below the lid handle 18 with the thumb. That is, the operator can unlock the lid lock mechanism 24 according to his/her movement of naturally closing his/her hand.

More specifically, the lid push button 20 is positioned on a path the thumb is ergonomically most likely to follow naturally when the user places the other four fingers on the lid handle 18 from above and closes his/her hand with the four fingers as a fulcrum. This makes it easier and more comfortable for the user to unlock the lid lock mechanism 24 to pivot open the lid 23.

Although the embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within a scope that is the same as, or equivalent to the present invention.

The present invention provides waste disposal apparatuses having very safe lock mechanisms, and can be expected to be widely applied to industrial products such as, e.g., diaper disposal apparatuses.

Claims

1. A waste disposal apparatus, comprising:

a waste accommodating main body having an upper part and a lower part which are separably connected together, and having an opening at its upper end;

a lid connected to said waste accommodating main body so as to be able to open and close said opening of said waste accommodating main body;

a sealing mechanism, and a film accommodating portion that accommodates a film for storing a waste material, which are attached to said upper part of said waste accommodating main body;

a lid lock mechanism for locking said lid and said upper part of said waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state;

a main body lock mechanism for locking said upper part and said lower part of said waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state;

a lid unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking said lid lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening said lid; and

a main body unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking said main body lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening said upper part of said waste accommodating main body.

2. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

each of said lid unlock mechanism and said main body unlock mechanism includes an unlock operation portion and an opening operation portion within reach of fingers of operator's one hand.

3. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

said unlock operation portion is a push button that is pressed by a finger.

4. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

said opening operation portion is a recess or a protrusion which is held by a finger.

5. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said lid is pivotally connected at its one end to said upper part of said waste accommodating main body by a hinge, and

said lid lock mechanism and said lid unlock mechanism are provided at the other end of said lid, which is located on a side opposite to said hinge.

6. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said upper part of said waste accommodating main body is pivotally connected at its one end to said lower part of said waste accommodating main body by a hinge, and

said main body lock mechanism and said main body unlock mechanism are provided at the other end of said upper part of said waste accommodating main body, which is located on a side opposite to said hinge.

7. The waste disposal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

said hinge that connects said upper part and said lower part of said waste accommodating main body is provided substantially in a middle of a vertical height of said waste disposal apparatus.