Cassette for dispensing flexible tubing therefrom

Abstract

In a cassette for dispensing flexible tubing a cassette body includes a central tubular portion defining an aperture extending therethrough. An outer wall surrounds the central tubular portion and a cassette bottom extends between and connects the outer wall and the central tubular portion. The outer wall, the cassette bottom and the central tubular portion cooperate to define an interior area that surrounds the central tubular portion. A length of flexible tubing is positioned in the interior area. The cassette bottom includes first registration features and a cover is coupled to the body and at least partially overlies the interior area, the cover defining second registration features matingly engageable with the first registration features so that cassettes can be stacked one-on-top-of-the-other with the cooperation of the first and second registration features preventing successively stacked cassettes from shifting relative to one another.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is generally related to cassettes having plastic tubing therein used in the disposal of waste products such as soiled diapers and is more particularly related to said cassettes having registration features thereon for more efficient stacking as well as to aid in the prevention of improper installation of the cassettes into a receptacle operable therewith.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Historically, waste materials such as soiled diapers were disposed of by simply placing them in the trash, however, this presented sanitary and odor problems. Moreover, with regard to soiled diapers, these are typically disposed of, albeit temporarily, in the area where the child is changed. Usually this is the nursery where the child sleeps and spends a considerable amount of time. As such, maintaining a sanitary and relatively odor free environment is important.[0003]A number of systems have been developed to address the above-described disposal and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The cassette bottom includes first registration features located on an outwardly facing surface with the cover defining second registration features also located on an outwardly facing surface. The first registration features defined by the cassette bottom and the second registration features defined by the cover are matingly engageable with one another so that cassettes can be stacked one-on-top-of-the-other with the cooperation of the first and second registration features preventing successively stacked cassettes from shifting relative to one another.

[0010]In another embodiment of the present invention the first registration features are defined by one or more first steps, each having a first raised portion and a corresponding first recessed portion. The second registration features are defined by one or more second steps each having a second raised portion and a corresponding second recessed portion. The first raised portions are matingly engageable with the second recessed portions and the first recessed portions are matingly engageable with the second raised portions so that when cassettes are stacked one on top of the other, the first steps of one of the cassettes engage the second steps of another of the cassettes thereby minimizing relative movement between successively stacked cassettes.

[0011]In still another embodiment of the present invention, the first registration features include a first undulating surface formed by the cassette bottom and the second registration features include a second undulating surface formed by the cover. The first and second undulating surfaces are matingly engageable with one another so that when cassettes are stacked one on top of the other, the first undulating surface of one of the cassettes engages the second undulating surface of another of the cassettes thereby minimizing relative movement between successively stacked cassettes. Preferably, in this embodiment of the present invention, a lip extends along a peripheral surface defined by the cover so that an outer periphery defined by the cassette bottom is slidably engageable with the lip when one cassette is positioned on top of another cassette.

[0013]The present invention resides in a second aspect in a cassette for dispensing flexible tubing and a receptacle for receiving the cassette. The cassette is configured essentially as described above with the exception that for this embodiment it is not necessary for the cover to include registration features. Accordingly, the cassette includes a cassette body having a central tubular portion defining an aperture extending therethrough. An outer wall surrounds the central tubular portion and a cassette bottom extends between and connects the outer wall and the central tubular portion. The outer wall, the cassette bottom and the central tubular portion cooperate to define an interior area that surrounds the central tubular portion and into which a length of flexible tubing is positioned. A cover is coupled to the body and at least partially overlies the interior area so that the flexible tubing can be dispensed through an opening defined by an inner peripheral edge of the cover and the central tubular portion. The cassette bottom includes first registration features. While the cover has been described as not necessarily including registration features, this embodiment of the present is not limited in this regard as the cover can include registration features mating engageable with the registration features defined by the cassette bottom so that the registration features of successively stacked cassettes engage one another. The receptacle includes an opening sized at least to receive the cassette and defines alignment features matingly engageable with those defined by the cassette bottom thereby minimizing the likelihood of the cassette being improperly installed within the receptacle.

Problems solved by technology

Historically, waste materials such as soiled diapers were disposed of by simply placing them in the trash, however, this presented sanitary and odor problems.

Usually this is the nursery where the child sleeps and spends a considerable amount of time.

A problem that can sometimes occur when placing the cassette in the receptacle is that the cassette can inadvertently be installed upside down.

This creates potential sanitary problems.

In addition, an overabundance of plastic tubing can be dispensed resulting in the cassette having to be prematurely replaced.

Moreover, the amount of plastic tubing remaining in the cassette is not readily ascertainable.

Another difficulty associated with the above-described cassettes arises from the fact that they are sold in stores as replacements for exhausted cassettes and therefore must be shipped in boxes to the various retail outlets.

The configuration of the cassettes has made them susceptible to toppling or shifting relative to one another when stacked on the store shelves.

The cassette configuration has also made them difficult to stack so packing them into boxes for shipment is less than optimal.

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