US3455529A - Disposable waste holder - Google Patents

Description

July 15, 1969 R. L. PROPST ETA!- 3,455,529

DISPOSABLE WASTE HOLDER Filed July 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l /U z4- A /4 wmwmq U INVENTOR$ 06597 z. PE

d4/WES 0 445115;

July 15, 1969 PRQPST EI'AL DISPOSABLE WASTE HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 28, 1966 s X mi w m 5 mi w NP 0 1M0 J; W Z A M 5 7 Y B U.S. Cl. 248-100 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A disposable waste structure comprising a supporting frame adapted to be mounted either in exposed fashion on a wall or within a cabinet in slidable fashion. The structure is provided at its interior with a series of spherical bagged keepers from which disposable paper or the like bags are suspended with the mouth of the bag in open fashion. The rear keepers have a neck section of sufficient size to permit storage of bags thereon for sequential use within the structure. It is understood that this abstract is not to be utilized to limit the scope of this disclosure.

This invention relates to waste holders and, more particularly, to disposable waste holders which may be discarded along with the articles which have been deposited in them when they are filled.

In a number of different types of institutions, particularly in hospitals, a great deal of emphasis is accorded to premise sterility. That is to say, that any accumulation of germs in a particular area is highly undesirable, particularly where the environment is such that these germs may be spread by body contact, air and the like. A particular problem has been encountered insofar as regards the disposal of waste products such as tissues, disposable sheets, and disposable towels. In any given room these articles may, and usually are, deposited in suitable waste containers which are periodically emptied. It is rather obvious that these containers become contaminated through this process and must be periodically disinfected in order to maintain minimum sterility standards.

The particular container which is utilized for intermittent storage of the disposables may take the form of a conventional metal can, a launderable cloth bag, or any of several other types of suitable containers. Each time these containers are emptied, and particularly when patients within a given room are changed, these containers must be sterilized along with the entire room, an operation involving much expense and an unusual amount of direct labor costs.

In order to simplify the decontaminating procedures for these types of disposal units, it has become customary in many hospitals to utilize disposable bags for lining the containers in which the waste materials are to be deposited. When a particular bag is filled, it is simply removed from the container and discarded along with the waste materials contained therein. While these disposable bags have done a great deal towards improving the sterility conditions of waste disposals and reducing the labor costs involved in sterilizing them, they have not proved satisfactory for a variety of reasons.

First, and perhaps most important, no means have ever been developed whereby the liner bags may be easily affixed at their opening edges to the container in which they are intended to serve as a liner. Secondly, even though the container has been lined, the relatively high sterility requirements necessitate sterilization of the container itself with each change of patient and sometimes at each change of liner. Thirdly, once the lines nited States Patent F 3,455,529 Patented July 15, 1969 have been positioned within the container they have a tendency to tear away at their opening edges, thus allowing waste material to spill into the container and further contaminate it. Fourthly, when the bags are being removed for disposal they tend to tear easily, often resulting in waste material being scattered, not only on the inside of the container itself, but over the surrounding premises.

Another problem with existing liners is that they are difficult to manipulate, often forcing the operator to come into contact with the waste materials when attempting to remove and close the liner.

The rather obvious solution to a number of the prior art defects outlined above, is to fabricate the bag or liner from a heavier material which will not be so sus ceptible to ripping and tearing when being handled. This solution, however has not been practical heretofore because of the lack of suitable means for afiixing the relatively unpliable opening edges of the bag to the container.

This invention eliminates these problems by providing a readily removable liner support so designed that the liner can be readily attached and removed without rupture of the liner and without contact between the operators hands and the liners contents. It permits the liner to be closed before it is fully detached from its support. The invention permits the top or mouth of the liner to be so reinforced that ripping is prevented, handling is facilitated, and yet the main body of the container remains sufficiently flexible to be readily handled.

These and other objects of this invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of the liner bag;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the plane IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the manner in which the liner bag is attached or removed from its supporting frame;

FIG. 4 is a plan-view of the support frame with the liner bag attached thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front-elevational view of a typical cabinet fixture having the support frame and disposable bag positioned therein;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along plane VIIVII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wall showing the cabinet fixture afiixed thereto;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view indicating the shape of the keeper elements and the manner in which they are afiixed to the support bar;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified support frame;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the modified support frame having a number of disposable containers mounted thereon;

FIG. 12 is a broken plan view partially in cross-section of a modified storage cabinet designed for reception of the modified support frame;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIXIII of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line XIVXIV of FIG. 12.

Briefly, this invention utilizes a cabinet-like fixture, preferably detachably wall-hung, having a support frame slidably disposed therein and supported thereby. The support frame has a plurality of bag keeper elements aflixed thereto which mate in accordian fashion with the keeper apertures in the disposable bag. The keeper elements are disposed on the frame such that they engage the bag as it is moved into open position and release the bag as it is moved into the closed position.

Referring now to the figures, a preferred embodiment of this invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows the upper section of a bag having accordian folded sides 11. Bag 10 has a back panel 12 and a front panel 13 which are connected in conventional manner by the accordian folding sides 11. Reinforcing strips 1-4 and 14a are secured such as by gluing to the outer upper edges of each of the back and front panels respectively as indicated in FIG. 1. In these strips are punched a plurality of supporting apertures 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d. These supporting apertures may be punched conveniently by merely forcing two ties into the bag when its sides 11 are in closed position. This, of course, results in a series of closure and guide apertures 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d in the side walls of the liner. The relative alignment of the supporting apertures and the closure and guide apertures are such that when the top of the bag is in folded positioni.e. with the accordian sides collapsedthe four apertures on each side thereof will be aligned. Thus, the punching operation may be effected in a single stroke, forming all the apertures simultaneously. The bottom of the bag (not shown) is preferably pointed so as to permit opening and closing of the mouth thereof with relative ease.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, the support frame 20 has a rear section 21, a pair of sides sections 22 extending perpendicularly therefrom at the extremeties thereof, and a pair of short front sections 23, which converge towards each other parallel to rear section 21. The support frame is preferably bent from a single piece of material which may be rod or tube and may have any convenient cross-sectional configuration.

Afiixed to each of the inner facing surfaces of rear section 21 and front sections 23, are a pair of keeper knobs or elements 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d. As indicated best in FIG. 9, keeper elements 24 are spherical in shape and are affixed to their respective support frame sections by any convenient means such as welding. Such welding forms a shoulder 25, which supports the bag after its keeper receiving aperture 15 has been pushed over the keeper. The spherical shape of the knobs 24 provides a smoothly increasing cross section at either side thereof to assist in placing the bag thereonto or removing it therefrom without fear of tearing the boundary portions of apertures 24. The apertures 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are punched slightly smaller than the keeper knobs. This creates a slight resistance to installation and a small but positive restraint against detachment.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, there is shown a cabinet-like fixture 30, having a hingedly mounted top 31, sides 32 and a back 34. A bottom 33 is illustrated, but it is not essential. Back 34 may be hung on the wall 35 in any conventional manner. The bottom 33 is preferably elevated from the floor to facilitate cleaning thereunder.

As shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, Support frame 20 is slidably received within sides 32 of cabinet by means of a pair of facing grooves 36, which preferably extend the entire depth of the cabinet-like fixture 30. Support frame 20 may be slid into fixture 30 by merely aligning its rear section 21 with the facing grooves 36 and pushing it rearwardly. The sides sections 22 of support frame 20 are slidably engaged by receiving grooves 36 and thus positive vertical support within fixture 39. It will be obvious, that when support bar 20 is utilized in this fashion, it must be fabricated from sulficiently rigid material to retain side sections 22 in their expanded position, and preventing the front of the support frame from being pulled free of receiving grooves 36.

In use, support fixture 30 is mounted on any convenient wall within the confines of the room to be serviced. Its open front allows its inner faces to be thoroughly and easily disinfected prior to insertion of support bar 20. A sterilized support bar is then slidably inserted into retaining grooves 36 by merely holding it horizontally and sliding it through the open front of fixture 30 into the grooves 36. The support frame 20 is slid rearwardly until its rear section 21 abuts the rear section 34 of fixture 30 (see FIG. 6). If necessary, additional vertical support may be gained by providing another groove in the interior face of rear panel 34 for receiving rear section 21 of support frame 20.

A disposable bag 10 is then inserted into the fixture by placing the index fingers of each hand into the accordian folded side 1 and gripping the front and rear panels of the bag with the thumbs and forefingers respectively. Keeper receiving apertures 15a and 151) are then pushed over spherical keeper elements 24a and 24b. The apertures, being slightly smaller than the keeper elements or knobs, produce a small but distinct resistance to being pushed over the knobs. As the keeper receiving apertures pass over their respective keepers, they slide down onto the restricted sections 25 thereof and are retained in fixed relationship with respect to these keepers. Front panel 13 is then pulled toward the installer until such time as keeper receiving apertures 15c and 15d mate with and are engaged by spherical keeper elements 240 and 24d. The disposable bag is then ready for use. The slight resistance resulting from the size differential between the apertures and the keeper elements, provides a positive restraint preventing the back of the bag from pulling free of the keeper elements as the front wall of the bag is pulled forward and the sides unfolded.

After bag 16 has been filled, it may be removed by simply grasping the front panel 13 and its associated sides 11, and pushing rearwardly with suflicient force to disengage keeper apertures 15c and 15d from spherical keeper elements 24c and 24d. The accordian-fold nature of sides 11 allows the mouth of bag 10 to be sealed by merely pushing front panel 13 towards rear panel 12 (see FIG. 3). After the keeper receiving apertures 15c and 15d come into abutting relationship with keeper elements 24a and 24b, the operators grip may be changed to clench front panel 13 against rear panel 12. Keeper receiving apertures 15a and 15b are then pulled free from keeper elements 24a and 24b, and the bag removed and discarded.

Should it be necessary or desirable to re-sterilize support frame 20 and fixture 30, support frame 20 may be removed by merely pulling it forwardly and thus sliding side sections 22 out of and free from engaging relationship with receiving grooves 36. The inside of fixture 30 may be disinfected and a recently sterilized support frame 20 reinserted therein. Another bag 10 is placed on support frame 20 in an identical manner.

It will be noted from FIG. 8 that fixture 30 also incorporates a hingedly mounted top 31. Top 31, when closed, serves to render the contents of the bag invisible and thus improve the appearance of the entire unit.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 14 the details of a modified support frame and enclosure therefor will be described. Support frame 40 differs from that previously illustrated in that it includes a widened rear section 41 and a pair of elongated neck members 43 which support 'the rear bag retainers 44. The widened rear sections 41 form, in conjunction with sections 45 of the frame, a pair of shoulders 42 which function in the manner of drawer stops.

The provision of elongated necks 43 provide means whereby extra bags may be stored within the cabinet. As indicated in FIG. 10, bags 10a, lilb and have been inserted over rear keepers 44 and are retained there for storage. The forwardmost bag 100. has been expanded and is ready to receive waste material. When bag 10d becomes filled it may be removed in the manner described previously and fresh bag 10c placed into waste receiving position by merely pulling the forward side thereof off from rear keepers 44 and engaging them on forward keepers 44 so as to expand the bag in accordian fashion.

The cabinet 50 (see FIG. 12) differs from that previously described in that the grooves in the sides thereof vary in depth between the front and rear sections thereof.

A relatively deep groove 52 runs from the rear wall toward the front of the cabinet. As this groove approaches the front its depth is substantially reduced as indicated at 51 to form a shoulder 55 against which mating shoulder 42 on support 40 is adapted to abut when the frame 40 is pulled from the cabinet 50 in drawer-like fashion. This construction permits frame 40 to be pulled from the cabinet and waste material inserted in the bag without the danger of pulling frame 40 completely free from the cabinet and spilling the contents of the bag. The frame 40 may be inserted into the cabinet from the rear thereof or the wide section may be inserted into the deep grooves 52 diagonally and the arms bent upwardly so as to allow the frame to be aligned within the cabinet. In the latter case, of course, the resilient limit of the frame must not be exceeded.

While the support frame shown in FIG. incorporates two modifications, it will be readily apparent that they are independent of each other. That is to say, that the elongated storage necks may be utilized without the stops 42 and the stops 42 may be utilized without the elongated storage necks 43.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention and two modifications thereof have been described in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a number of other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A disposable waste holder comprising: a frame having a back portion with side portions extending forwardly from each extremity thereof and partial front portions extending inwardly in converging fashion from the forward extremities of said side portions, said front portions terminating short of abutment with one another to provide an opening for bag-like holder insertion and removal; said frame having a plurality of bag retainer mounted thereon and extending inwardly thereof and arranged to define a rectangular area therebetween, one of said retainers extending inwardly from each of said front portions of said frame, two of said retainers extending inwardly from positions on said rear portion opposite from the retainers on said front portions; each of said retainers having a head portion and a neck portion, said neck portion being adjacent said frame and of a lesser cross section than said head portion, the cross-sectional area of said head portions increasing smoothly from the frame-removed extremity thereof to a holder retaining point and then joining said neck section; a bag-like holder having apertures formed adjacent each side of its upper end, said apertures being smaller than the cross section of said head portions at said holder retaining point, the size differential being such that the head portions may be forced through said apertures without rupture of the srurounding material of said holder.

2. A disposable waste holder as described in claim 1 wherein the front and back top faces of said holders upper end have reinforcement strips and said apertures are formed through said reinforcement strips.

3. A disposable waste holder as described in claim 2 wherein said holder has side panels which fold inwardly in accordian fashion when the front and back thereof are in abutting relationship, said apertures being aligned in said front and back of said holder and extending through said side panels.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least two of said retainers have neck portions of sufficient length to permit storage of a plurality of said holders thereon.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bag retainers each comprise a generally spherically shaped knob affixed to said support frame.

6. In combination with the disposable waste holder described in claim 1 a fixture, said fixture comprising an open faced cabinet having a groove in each opposite interior face thereof, said grooves adapted to slidably receive and retain said side portions.

7. The combination asset forth in claim 6 wherein said frame is slidable within said grooves it may he slid into and out of said fixture in drawer-like fashion, and wherein said fixture and said support are provided with stop means for preventing said support from sliding completely free from said fixture.

8. A disposable waste holder comprising: a frame having side portions and a back portion; said frame having a plurality of bag retainers mounted thereon and extending inwardly thereof and arranged to define a rectangular area therebetween; each of said retainers having a head portion and a neck portion, said neck portion being adjacent said frame and of a lesser cross section than said head portion; a bag-like holder having side panels which fold inwardly in accordion fashion when the front and back thereof are in abutting relationship, the front and back faces of said holders upper end having reinforcement strips in abutment therewith, said holder having apertures formed adjacent each side of its upper end, said apertures being aligned in said front and back of said holder, extending through said side panels, and passing through said reinforcement strips, said apertures being smaller than said head portions, the size differential being such that the head portions may be forced through said apertures without rupture of the surrounding material of said holder, at least two of said retainers having neck portions of sufficient length to permit storage of a plurality of said holders thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,010,793 12/1911 Penniman 248 1,180,225 4/1916 Bamman et a1. 24899 1,376,660 5/1921 Ward 248100 1,751,229 3/1930 Bigelow 24899 X 1,800,052 4/1931 Brumbaugh 126339 2,899,161 8/1959 Bayard 248101 1,345,750 7/1920 Beaumont 24217 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,133,667 7/1962 Germany.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner FRANK DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 211-57

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