Cassette and apparatus for packing disposable objects into an elongated tube of flexible material
AssigneeInternational Refills Company Limited
InventorMichel MORAND
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cassette for dispensing bags from an elongated tubing comprising an annular receptacle accommodating a length of tubing in an accumulated condition. An annular opening at an upper end of the annular receptacle is for dispensing the tubing. The annular receptacle defines a central opening through which a knotted end of the tubing passes to form a bag supported by the annular receptacle with disposable objects passing through the circular central opening to be received in the bag, and a clearance only at a bottom of the central opening.
Claims17
An apparatus for use with a cassette dispensing flexible plastic film tube material, to package soiled diapers within the tube material, the cassette having a central opening extending along an imaginary axis, through which the elongated tube of flexible plastic film material is dispensed from a top of the cassette through the central opening thereof, the cassette including a recessed area on a lower portion thereof, the recessed area being bound by a wall of the cassette which extends obliquely with relation to the imaginary axis, the recessed area encircling the central opening, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a storage area for holding soiled diapers;
- (b) an entrance for introducing soiled diapers in the storage area;
- (c) a holder configured for receiving the cassette, the holder being proximal the entrance and including:
- (1) a generally upwardly extending wall;
- (2) a bottom wall;
- (3) a circular projection adjacent the bottom wall, the circular projection configured to matingly engage the recessed area of the cassette when the cassette is fully seated in the holder, the circular projection including a wall which is slanted with relation to the bottom wall, the wall which is slanted being configured to engage the wall of the cassette which extends obliquely when the cassette is fully seated in the holder.
An apparatus for use with a cassette dispensing flexible plastic film tube material, to package soiled diapers within the tube material, the cassette having a central opening through which the elongated tube of flexible plastic film material is dispensed from a top of the cassette through the central opening thereof, the cassette including a lower portion, the apparatus comprising:
- (d) a storage area for holding soiled diapers;
- (e) an entrance for introducing soiled diapers in the storage area;
- (f) a holder configured for receiving the cassette, the holder being proximal the entrance and including:
- (1) a generally upwardly extending wall;
- (2) a bottom wall;
- (3) an interference device adjacent the bottom wall, the interference device configured for:
- (1) when the cassette is inserted in the correct orientation in the holder, matingly engage the lower portion of the cassette to enable the cassette to be fully seated in the holder;
- (2) when the cassette is inserted in the holder upside down, interfere with the top of the cassette and prevent the cassette from being fully seated in the holder.
An apparatus for packaging soiled diapers in an elongated tube of plastic flexible material, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a storage area for receiving soiled diapers;
- (b) an entrance for introducing soiled diapers in the storage area;
- (c) a holder configured for releasably receiving a supply of the tube material such that the supply of the tube material extends through the entrance, the holder being proximal the entrance and including:
- (1) a recess including an upwardly extending side wall;
- (2) a bottom generally horizontally extending wall, the bottom wall being generally circular and surrounding the entrance;
- (d) a tube gathering mechanism for sealing the tube when no soiled diaper is being pushed through the entrance, the tube gathering mechanism including:
- (1) a closure member including a projection extending above the bottom wall of the holder, the closure member engaging the tube and being moveable with relation to the bottom wall to gather the tube;
- (2) the closure member being responsive to pressure by a hand of a user to progressively open and allow insertion of a soiled diaper in the storage area;
- (3) a stationary wall portion located below the bottom wall for slidingly supporting the closure member during the movement of the closure member with respect to the bottom wall;
- (4) a device connected to the closure member for driving the moveable member to move relative the bottom wall to gather the tube.
- (e) a lid hingedly moveable between a closed position and an opened position, in the closed position the lid closing the holder, in the opened position the lid allowing access to the holder to permit installation of a new supply of tube material, the lid having a central funnel-shaped portion defining an aperture generally aligning with the entrance to the storage area, the aperture permitting insertion of a soiled diaper into the storage area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.