Integrated cutting tool for waste disposal method and apparatus
AssigneePlaytex Products, Inc.
InventorsRosemary Knuth, John Rousso, Richard Chomik, John Cichello, David Hayes, Mark Yoho, Jim Simer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention discloses a waste disposal apparatus including a waste packet forming device integrated with a tool for cutting the packet, and a method for using the apparatus. The disclosed integrated twist-and-cut system provides an improvement over existing waste disposal systems by reducing steps in the disposal of waste material.
Claims33
An integrated cutting system for a waste storage receptacle comprising:
- a container defining a waste bin and an opening that provides access to the waste bin;
- a support adjacent the opening, the support in the form of a body having a flange extending therefrom that is circumferentially configured for holding a film cassette above the waste bin, wherein the body encloses less than all of the opening to the waste bin so that waste material can be passed through the opening and into the waste bin;
- a film cassette on the flange;
- and
- a lid hingedly adjacent the body;
- the lid portion enclosing a first device for a film sealing for forming waste packets by twisting a flexible film tubing that is dispensed from the film cassette;
- the lid portion enclosing a second device operably connected to the first device for cutting the waste packet from the film tubing.
An integrated cutting system for a waste storage receptacle, the waste storage receptacle having a receptacle body, a collar, a lid and a storage film cassette adapted to be positioned in the receptacle body, the cassette having a continuous length of storage film therein, the integrated system comprising:
- a handle operably connected to the lid, wherein the operation of the handle engages a cutting device and a film sealing device to uniform rotational motion to twistably seals the film extending from the cassette;
- a button operably connected to the lid, wherein the operation of the button disengages the sealing device from rotation and exposes the cutting device to the film in a stationary state;
- and
- a blade affixed to the cutting device;
- wherein when the button is operated the operation of the handle rotates the blade to sever the film from the cassette.
A method for disposing waste material from a waste disposal apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- providing a lid having a sealing device and a cutting device therein, the sealing device being operable by a rotatable handle, and the cutting device by a button;
- providing a length of tubing having a first sealed portion of the tubing at a location along its length and an open end of the tubing;
- inserting waste material, with the lid open, through the open end of the tubing until it contacts the first sealed portion of the tubing;
- closing the lid;
- operating the rotatable handle and rotating the handle to rotate the sealing device and the cutting device simultaneously to only twist and seal the open end of the tubing;
- operating a button downwards and disengaging the sealing device;
- operating the rotatable handle to rotate the cutting device only, and cut the waste packet only.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.