Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor – Automatic and/or material-triggered control
Patent
1994-08-10
1997-02-04
Engel, James
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor
Automatic and/or material-triggered control
156366, 156515, 156358, 53555, 221 12, 221 15, 221152, B32B 3100
Patent
active
055994210
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disposal unit for used sanitary towels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a disposal unit for sanitary towels comprising a housing, means for supporting a bag for receiving the used towels within the housing, a door mounted to the housing, in use the door being opened for access to the bag, and heat sealing means operable when the door is in the closed position to seal hermetically the mouth of the bag.
The present invention provides a unit in which the heat sealing of the bag can be carried out automatically within the closed unit, prior to the removal of the bag by the janitor. This greatly reduces the health risk involved, since the janitor does not have to open the unit until the bag has been sealed. The preferred aspects of the invention as set out below and defined in the claims offer the further advantage that electrical power is required only when the janitor comes to heat seal the unit and not during the normal use of the unit during the day.
Preferably the door is pivotally mounted at its lower edge to the housing and the means for supporting the bag are arranged to support the bag with the mouth of the bag located towards the top of the door.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a unit mounted in a wall;
FIG. 2a and 2b are a front elevation and partially cut-away side elevation of the main body of the unit;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the door of the unit;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram;
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the control circuit;
FIG. 6(a)-6(e) are a timing diagram; and
FIG. 7 shows the clamp.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE
The unit takes used sanitary towels which are disposed of in a heat sealed plastic bag, thereby providing a hygienic method of disposal, the used product not being handled by anyone other than the user.
A plastic bag 1 is placed in the unit and is located by two stainless steel pins 2 for easy alignment and is clamped into position by a bracket or clamp 14 which is self-releasing on one side after the bag has been heat sealed. The unit is designed with a metal pin which is controlled by a solenoid. In normal use, the pin limits the movement of the door 4 to open to a position sufficient for the soiled material to be disposed of. After disposal by the user, the door is self-closing by means of two tension springs and therefore the plastic bag is closed, minimising odours. A position for a deodorant block is also provided within the housing.
Near to the top of the door, two metal machined dowels 5,6 are located, one either side of the door. One passes through an orifice 11 which when energised by the key switch pulls the door in tight and holds this position during the heat seal cycle. At the same time, the other dowel operates a microswitch after it has been energised by the key switch 7. The purpose of this microswitch and dowel is to prevent the low heat seal element 8 coming into operation when the door is open and the key switch has inadvertently been turned on. This is a safety feature.
A 12 volt transformer circuit board PCB and adjustable time controller is placed at the rear of the unit and is protected by a sub-housing 10. The time controller can be adjusted from the front. These components control the low voltage heat seal element 8 which is placed along the face of the metal casing and the full width of the unit. The heat seal element is encased in a teflon adhesive tape.
The door is cushioned by a seal 9 attached to the flange of the housing and around its perimeter. This gives the movement required when the heat seal element is brought into operation.
The sequence of operation for heat sealing the plastic bag is as follows: of the door. The off position of the switch is at 12 o'clock. which energises a dowel and the microswitch as previously described. At the same time, a LED is initiated indicating that the heating element is in operation. This operation energises the heating element and seals the plastic bag. The LED light stays
REFERENCES:
patent: 4025383 (1977-05-01), Ferrigno
patent: 4341583 (1982-07-01), Schwarz
patent: 4378266 (1983-03-01), Gerken
patent: 4650535 (1987-03-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 4761197 (1988-08-01), Christine et al.
patent: 4804107 (1989-02-01), Bergstedth
patent: 4981236 (1991-01-01), Riedle et al.
patent: 5143251 (1992-09-01), Kahanek et al.
patent: 5221024 (1993-06-01), Campbell
Frost Frederick C.
Saunders Peter
Williams Edward T.
Engel James
F C Frost Limited
Rivard Paul M.
LandOfFree
Disposal Unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Disposal Unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Disposal Unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-675060