Cartridge of flexible tubing for waste disposal devices

Abstract

Waste disposal device including a container defining a waste storage chamber and a cartridge arranged in the container and containing a length of flexible tubing for encapsulating waste packages. A retention mechanism is arranged in the container to hold the waste package. A rotation mechanism is provided to cause relative rotation between the cartridge and the retention mechanism in order to form a twist above a waste package when the waste package is being held by the retention mechanism and thereby encapsulate the waste package in the tubing. Encapsulation of the waste package prevents the release of odors from the waste package and thus, the invention provides a convenient and sanitary disposal of the waste packages. A series of encapsulated waste packages is thus created in the container, each package contained within a portion of the tubing and sealed at each end by the twisting process. Once encapsulated, the waste package is urged further into the container upon a subsequent insertion of another waste package or by a compacting mechanism which rolls the encapsulated waste packages into a compacted roll.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A cartridge for a waste disposal device, comprising: 
 a casing defining a cavity containing a length of flexible tubing;    an annular cover connected to said casing to substantially cover said cavity and arranged such that a ring-shaped opening is defined between said cover and said casing for passage of said tubing therethrough; and    first closing means for closing a front end of said tubing outside of said cavity such that a bag is formed by said tubing into which a waste package can be inserted.    
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said first closing means comprises a metal clip or clasp attached to the front end of said tubing.  
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said first closing means comprise a heat seal.  
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said first closing means comprise stitches such that the front end of said tubing is sewn closed.  
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said casing includes opposed substantially cylindrical inner and outer walls and an annular lower wall extending between said inner and outer walls, said ring-shaped opening being defined between an inner edge of said cover and said inner wall.  
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein said casing further includes a flange extending outward from said outer wall and attached to a lower surface of said cover.  
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is detachably connected to said casing to enable insertion of a replacement length of tubing in said casing.  
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising second closing means arranged in connection with said casing and said cover for closing and sealing a rear end of said tubing.  
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 8 , wherein said second closing means comprises score lines arranged on said cover to enable said cover to be folded about said score lines, attachment means arranged on said cover for attaching folded parts of said cover to one another, and slits arranged through said casing in alignment with said score lines.  
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein said attachment means comprises hook and loop fasteners.  
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein said attachment means comprises a tie and clasp stamped into said cover.  
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is made of fibrous material.  
     
     
         13 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said cartridge includes at least one flange adapted to be received between tabs formed on the waste disposal device to hold the cartridge in position relative to the waste disposal device.  
     
     
         14 . A cartridge for a waste disposal device, comprising: 
 a casing defining a cavity containing a length of flexible tubing;    an annular cover connected to said casing to substantially cover said cavity and arranged such that a ring-shaped opening is defined between said cover and said casing for passage of said tubing therethrough; and    first closing means arranged in connection with said casing and said cover for closing and sealing a rear end of said tubing.    
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein said first closing means comprises score lines arranged on said cover to enable said cover to be folded about said score lines, attachment means arranged on said cover for attaching folded parts of said cover to one another, and slits arranged through said casing in alignment with said score lines.  
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 15 , wherein said attachment means comprises hook and loop fasteners.  
     
     
         17 . The cartridge of  claim 15 , wherein said attachment means comprises a tie and clasp stamped into said cover.  
     
     
         18 . The cartridge of  claim 15 , wherein said casing includes opposed substantially cylindrical inner and outer walls and an annular lower wall extending between said inner and outer walls, said ring-shaped opening being defined between an inner edge of said cover and said inner wall, said score lines being arranged through said inner, outer and lower wall of said casing..  
     
     
         19 . A cartridge for a waste disposal device, comprising: 
 a casing defining a cavity containing a length of flexible tubing; and    an annular cover connected to said casing to substantially cover said cavity and arranged such that a ring-shaped opening is defined between said cover and said casing for passage of said tubing therethrough;    said casing being made of a fibrous material.