Feminine product disposal system and associated method
A sanitary product disposal container includes a container housing having a movable housing top cover. A cover hinge assembly allows the top cover to pivot between open and closed positions. Accordingly, a used feminine hygiene product may be placed in the interior space of the container housing in the open position of the housing top cover while minimizing touching the container housing to open the housing top cover. The housing may be selectively opened to facilitate removal of the used feminine hygiene products from the interior space all without exposure to the used products or the escape of unpleasant odors.
1 . A receptacle for soiled feminine care products adapted to be mounted to a wall, the receptacle comprising:
a body assembly comprising:
a shell,
a bracket comprising a back wall, wherein the shell and the bracket are configured to move relative to each other between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration,
a rack and a pinion operatively engaged with each other, wherein the rack and the pinion are configured to guide and facilitate movement of the shell and the bracket relative to each other between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration, and
an open upper end;
a bag within the body assembly, wherein the bag is configured to receive soiled feminine care products; and
a lid pivotally coupled to the body assembly about a pivot axis; wherein
the lid comprises a lever portion;
the lid is configured to pivot about the pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
the lid, while in the closed position, covers the open upper end of the body assembly:
the lid, while in the open position, is configured to allow for soiled feminine care products to be deposited into the bag within the body assembly;
the open position is formed between the lid and an upper edge of the back wall of the body assembly;
the pivot axis is interposed between the lever portion and the back wall such that the lever portion is configured to be depressed to thereby pivot the lid toward the open position;
while the body assembly is in the collapsed configuration, the bag is concealed in the body assembly; and
while the body assembly is in the expanded configuration and the lid remains in the closed position, the bag and soiled feminine products are removable from the receptacle.
2 . The receptacle of claim 1 further comprising:
a hinge spaced from the back wall and coupling the lid to the body assembly for movement to and from the open and closed positions such that the lid at least partially blocks viewing access to the bag when in the open position.
3 . The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the lid is oriented obliquely relative to the back wall when in the closed position.
4 . The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the lever portion extends forwardly and in a different plane from a remainder of the lid.
5 . A receptacle for soiled feminine care products adapted to be mounted to a wall, the receptacle comprising:
a body assembly comprising:
a shell,
a bracket, wherein the shell and the bracket are movable relative to each other between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration,
a pair of racks fixed to and extending vertically along the bracket,
a pair of pinions associated with the shell, wherein each pinion of the pair of pinions is operatively engaged with a respective rack of the pair of racks in order to facilitate movement of the shell and the bracket relative to each other between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration, and
an open portion;
a bag removably housed within the body assembly, wherein the bag defines an interior, wherein the interior of the bag is dimensioned to receive therein soiled feminine care products; and
a lid assembly coupled to the body assembly;
wherein the lid assembly is configured move between a closed position and an open position;
the lid assembly, while in the closed position, covers the open portion of the body assembly and the interior of the bag;
the lid assembly, while in the open position, is configured to allow for soiled feminine products to be deposited into the bag within the body assembly;
the body assembly is configured to conceal the bag in the body assembly while in the collapsed configuration; and
the body assembly is configured to accommodate removal of at least a portion of the bag and soiled feminine products therein when the body assembly is in the expanded configuration and the lid assembly is in the closed position such that the interior of the bag remains covered.
6 . The receptacle of claim 5 further comprising:
a cartridge in the body assembly adapted to seal an open end of the bag when the body assembly is in the expanded configuration.
7 . The receptacle of claim 6 further comprising:
a supply of bag material in the body assembly from which the bag is formed from a distal portion of the supply of bag material.
8 . The receptacle of claim 7 further comprising:
a cutter adapted to separate the bag containing the soiled feminine products from a remainder of the supply of bag material.
9 . The receptacle of claim 8 wherein the cartridge further comprises the cutter.
10 . The receptacle of claim 5 further comprising:
a cartridge on the bracket adapted to seal an open end of the bag when the body assembly is in the expanded configuration;
a supply of bag material in the body assembly from which the bag is formed from a distal portion of the supply of bag material; and
a cutter adapted to separate the bag containing the soiled feminine products from the supply of bag material.
11 . The receptacle of claim 10 wherein the cartridge further comprises:
the cutter; and
a roll of tape from which a terminal portion of the roll of tape is positioned in the cartridge to be wrapped around a portion of the bag containing the soiled feminine products, the terminal portion of the roll of tape sealing both a top of the bag containing soiled feminine products being removed from the receptacle and sealing a bottom of a subsequent bag for use in the receptacle after being cut by the cutter.
12 . The receptacle of claim 5 wherein the shell and the bracket move relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the receptacle, the receptacle further comprising:
a cartridge in the body assembly adapted to seal an open end of the bag oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and when the body assembly is in the expanded configuration.