GB2523988A

GB2523988A - Disposable paper container

Info

Publication number: GB2523988A
Application number: GB1401319.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Sinclair
Original assignee: ROBERT CULLEN Ltd
Current assignee: ROBERT CULLEN Ltd
Priority date: 2014-01-27
Filing date: 2014-01-27
Publication date: 2015-09-16
Also published as: GB201401319D0

Abstract

A carton with a base 12, two pairs of opposing side walls 14-20, a top 22 through which the interior can be accessed 23 and a ramp 26 directly below the access region connected 16a, 26a to two walls 16, 20. The tops opening can be closed by a lid 24 with a rim 24. The entire carton can be formed from a single corrugated blank and can be used as a hygiene bin. The ramp could be connected to one wall by being foldably joined and to another by a tab 26a adjacent its distal end which engages with an inclined slot 16a in the carton side wall. The ramp and other surfaces could be coated with wax to resist moisture and a liquid absorbent hydrogel liner could be received inside.

Description

DISPOSABLE PAPER CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a disposable paper container for storing offensive/hygiene' waste at its intended point of use, and for containing such waste during subsequent transportation for disposal. The disposable paper container is particularly, though not exclusively, formed from a single blank of corrugated cardboard. The invention may find particular application in healthcare settings.

Background of the Invention

The term offensive/hygiene' waste is defined in United Kingdom environmental legislation as non-hazardous waste, provided that: (fl it does not constitute dangerous goods' under transport legislation; and (ii) it is considered to be non-infectious and so does not require specialist treatment or disposal. A non-exclusive list of offensive/hygiene' waste products includes inter alia human and animal waste [faeces); incontinence pads; catheter and stoma bags; nappies; sanitary waste; nasal secretions; sputum; medical/veterinary items of disposable equipment such as gowns, plaster casts; plasters (minor first aid or self-care) generated by personal use; animal hygiene wastes including animal bedding and dog faeces; wastes from non-healthcare activities, for example wastes from body piercing or application of tattoos.

Currently in the United Kingdom the majority of National Health Service (NHSJ Trusts, Primary Care Trusts, Research Institutes employ a third party to provide offensive/hygiene' waste collection and removal services. Currently this involves the provision of a rigid plastics pedal bin lined with a UN certified flexible plastic liner. Usually, a bin rotation system is employed whereby the bin is left on-site for a pre-determined period to be filled with offensive/hygiene' waste, and thereafter collected and transported to a third party site for disposal.

Once at the third party site the bin must be opened; the UN certified plastic liner removed and tied off with an approved closure means; the bin cleaned; a new UN certified plastic liner inserted; and the bin closed ready for rotation into use.

The inventors of the present invention have recognised that the aforementioned process is cumbersome, inefficient potentially unhygienic, and expensive to operate. Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to overcome or mitigate one or more disadvantages associated with conventional bins for storing offensive/hygiene' waste.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disposable paper container for storing sanitary products, the container comprising: [i) a base; (ii] a first pair of opposing side walls extending away from the base; (ill) a second pair of opposing side wails extending away from the base; [iv) a top wall opposite the base; and [v1J a lamp surface connectanle to at least two walls within the container; and wherein an opening is formed in the top wall which overlies the ramp surface.

Optionally., a closeahie id is provided lhr closing over the. opening in the top wall.

Optionally, the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said base, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.

Optionally, the first and second pairs of opposing side wails and said ramp surface, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.

Optionally, the ramp surface is contiguous with one nt the second pair of opposing side walls and is foldable into the space between the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, Optionally, the ramp surface is inclined towards the base when connected to said at leasttwo walls within the container.

Optionally, a connection tab on a peripheral edge of the ramp surface is co-operable wIth a tab receiving means on a wall of the container.

Optionally, the tab receiving means is defined by an inclined slit formed on a wall of the container.

It will be appreciated that the co-operable connection tab and tab receiving means serve to both orientate the ramp surlhce ata desired incline; and maintain the ramp surface at the desired incline during use. For example, if the tab receiving means is a slit, the tab may be retained therein by means of a friction fit.

Optionally, the lowest part of the inclined ramp surface when connected to said at least two walls within the container is spaced from the base.

Optionally, the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said top wall, are formed from a single blank of Ibidable paper panels Optionally, the top wall is contiguous with one of the first pair of opposing side walls and is foldable to overlie the inclined ramp surface.

Optionally, the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said closable lid, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels Optionally, the closable lid is contiguous with the other of the first pair of opposing side walls and Is Ibldable to overlie both the top wall and the underlying Inclined ramp surface.

Optionally, a peripheral flange is provided on the closeable lid.

Optionally, a connection tab is provided on the peripheral flange and is co-operable with a tab receiving means on a wall of the container.

Optionally, the tab receiving means is defined by a slit formed on a wall of the container.

It will be appreciated that if the tab receiving means comprises a slit the tab may be retaIned therein by means of a friction fit Optionally, all parts of the disposable paper container are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.

Optionally, the foldable paper panels are formed from corrugated cardboard.

Optionally, the disposable paper container is lined with a hydrogel material for absorbing liquid.

Optionally, the ramp surface is provided with a wax layer.

Optionally, the Internal and/or external surface of one or more of the walls Is provided with a wax layer.

It will be appreciated that a wax layer provides water-resistance properties. When employed on the ramp surface, a wax layer also serves to reduce friction such that sanitary items dropped onto the ramp slide easily into the container.

Optionally, the disposable paper container is initially provided in a collapsed state For subsequent assembly by an end-user.

It will be appreciated that by forming the disposable paper container from a single blank of foldable paper panels, the process of assembling the container is simplified. In particular, the assembly steps merely require panels to be folded along pre-formed fold lInes In order to assemble the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

S

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only.

with reference to the followingdrawings. in which: Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a one-piece foldable paper blank from which the container of the present Invention Is constructed; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the container of the present invention in a partially assembled state wherein its base and sidewalls have been folded to form a three-dimensional container; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the container of Fig. 2 with its ramp surface folded into its interior; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view or the container of Fig. 3 with its top wall folded to overlie the ramp surtce; and Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the container of Fig. 4 with its closeable lid!blded over to cover the top wall and Its opening.

DetaIled Description

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a one-piece foldable paper blank 10 wherein dotted lines indicate a fold line which may be scored or otherwise weakened to facilitate folding.

The blank 10 comprIses four mutually interlockable flaps 12a-d fi,r forming a base 12; a first pair of major side walls 14, 16 separated from flaps 12a, 12b respectively by fold lines; a first pair of minor side walls 18, 20 separated from flaps 12c, 12d respectively by fold lines; a top wall 22 separated from major side wall 16 by a single fold line; a closeable lid 24 separated from major side wall 14 by a single fold line; and a ramp panel 26 separated from minor side wall 20 by a single fold line.

A line of adhesive 14a is applied along the free edge of major side wall 14 and receives a connection tab 20a of minor side wall 20. When connection tab 20a is adhered to major side wall 14 the first and second pairs of opposing side wails 14, 16, 18, 20 can be arranged to lie opposite one another. However, It will be appreciated that the opposing side walls 14, 16, 18, 20 may be maintained In a generally fiat or collapsed state for the purpose of transportation and storage before use. When in this generally flat or collapsed state the first pair of major side walls 14, 16 wifi partially overlap one another.

When ready!br use, the base 12 can be assembled by interlocking flaps 12a-d in a known manner, and tab 18a can be folded inwardly against side wall 18 to strengthen the container by bracing the side walls 14, 16. A hydrogel material may be placed on the base in order to absorb any liquid escaping from articles placed in the container.

The hydrogel material may be provided in the form of a pad which matches the dimensions of the base 12. Suitable hydrogel materials sold under the name SafetyGeP" are provided by Datesand Limited of P.O. Lox 45, Manchestet United Kingdom, Mu lxi).

The closeable lid panel 24 -which is contiguous with side wall 14 -may then be assembled. it is provided with one major flange and two minor flanges 24c, 24d.

The minor flanges 24c, 24d are each folded towards closeable lid panel 24 so as to lie at 90 degrees thereto. Corner tabs 24e, 24f are also each folded towards their corresponding minor flanges 24c, 24d so as to lie at 90 degrees thereto. The major flange is formed by folding panel 24a so as to overlie panel 24b with the corner tabs 24e, 24f interposed between the two. Protrusions 25 extending away from the free edge of panel 24a are received within correspondingly shaped apertures 25a formed along the fold llne separating the closeable lid panel 24 from panel 24b. In doing so, the major and minor flanges 24a, b, c, d are secured in position relative to the closeable lid panel 24. The closeable lid panel 24 may also be provided with a plastic handle 27 used both to open and temporarily close the lid 24 by an end user, and to carry the container during transport to an off-site disposal facility.

The arrangement of the partially assembled container after following the above assembly steps is as shown In Fig. 2. The ramp panel 26 -which is contiguous with side wall 20 -can then be folded Into the interIor of the container. A connection tab 26a provided at a peripheral edge of the ramp panel 26 remote from side wall 20 and is receivable within a complementary slit 16a formed in major side wall 16.

Once locked in position the ramp panel 26 enhances the strength of the container by bracing side walls 14, 16 apart The slit I ba is inchned at an acute ang]e relative to the fold line separating side wail 16 from top Nail 22. The acute angle may fail within the range of 20 to 60 degrees; or more preferably 25 to 40 degrees. in a preferred embodiment, the acute angle is 30 degrees. As best seen in Figs 3-5, the distaL end 26c of ramp panel 26 is spaced from both the base 12 and side walL 18.

The arrangement of the partially assembled container after following the above assembly steps is as shown in Fig. 3. The top waLl 22 can then be folded to overlie the ramp surface 26 in a horizontal orientation. En doing so, its tab 22a can be tucked inside the container so as to]ie along the fold line separating side wal] 14 from the closeable lid pane] 24. A recess 26b formed in the ramp pane] proximate the side wall 20 receives a lateral end portion of the tab 22a (i.e. the end portion Lying cLosest to ramp panel 26 in Fig. 1). The top wall 22 is thereby maintained in position by means of a friction fitA generally rectangular opening 23 is formed in the top wall 22. The opening 23 is offset so as to directiy overlie the ramp surface 26 when it is secured in its inchned position.

The arrangement of tle assembled container after following the above. assembly steps is as shown in Fig. 4. The container is then ready for use. The closeable lid 24 can Lhen be temporarily closed so as to overlie the top wall 22 and conceal the opening 23 after use by each end user. Once the container is ready to be removed and trans.ported for disposal, the cioseable lid 24 can then be permanently closed ready for removal and transport to a disposal site. Two locking Labs 30 in the form of semi-circular partial cut-outs are provided in panel 24a. The locking tabs 30 can be folded out of the plane of panel 24a (i.e. into the plane of the paper shown in Fig. 1) so as to extend outwardly therefrom. Finger recesses 31 are cut out of panel 24a to facilitate the release of the locking tabs from the position shown in Fig. 1. The locking tabs 30 are hingedly connected to panel 24b along the fold lines which separate panels 24a, 24b. The width of the hinged connection along the fold Lines is less tItan the maximum width of fhe semi-circular locking tabs 30 themselves such that the locking tabs 30 are generally "mushroom shaped. When the closeable lid 24 Is closed over the top waIl 22 Its major and minor flanges extend over the exterior of the top edges of side walls 16, 18, 20 and the locking tabs 30 are presented proximate crescent-shaped apertures 16b formed In the side wall 16 and spaced from the fold line separating side wall 16 from top wall 22. The crescent-shaped apertures 16b are slightly under-sized relative to the mushroom shaped locking tabs 30. Narrow slit extensions 16c are provided at each lateral side of each crescent-shaped aperture lob so as to promote a friction fit with the slightly larger locking tabs 30. The enlarged heads of the locking tabs 30 may locate behind the slit extensions so as to resist opening of the closeable lid 24.

In use, the container of the present invention is assembled in the manner described above and placed at an appropriate site, e.g. within a washroont Generally, the container will be presented with its closeable lid 24 in an open position as shown in Fig. 4 such that it is ready for use by an end user. Articles to be disposed of are dropped into the opening 23 in the top wall 22. Once the articles come Into contact with the ramp surbce 26 they descend down Its incline and drop onto the base 12.

As mentioned above, the ramp surface 26 may be provided wIth a wax coating so as to reduce friction and resist moisture absorption. By positioning the opening 23 such that it overlies the ramp surface 26 It will be appreciated that an end user Is unable to view the content of the container, i.e. previously discarded articles are concealed from view. A hydrogel pad may be provided in the base 12 to absorb any liquid content escapIng from the disposed article. in addition, the base 12 may Itself be provided with a liquid resistant wax coating. The container may additionally be provided with antimicrobial and/or odour control agents. if desired, an end user may close the closeable lid 24 after each use so as to conceal the opening 23.

Once the container becomes full -or once a predetermined time period has elapsed -the closeable lid 24 Is permanently closed over the top wall 22 and the two locking tabs 30 located within the corresponding crescent-shaped apertures 16b. As described above, the enlarged mushroom-shaped heads of the locking tabs 30 are inserted forced through, and located behind, the lateral slit extensions l6c. The lateral slit extensions 16c are narrow in width relative to the thickness of the locking tabs 30 such that there is a natural frictional resistance inhibiting the release of the oclnng tabs 30 from the crescent-shaped apertures 16h. Such an arrangement is important to ensure that when the container 10 is lifted via its handle 27, the locking tabs 30 remain within their crescent-shaped apertures 16b, and hence the closeable lid 24 remains closed during transportation for disposal.

Ic wil! be appreciated that the disposable paper container of the present invention provides several advantages over existing rigid containers or storing offensive/hygiene' waste. Firstly, the paper container of the present invention is intended to be a single-use container thus removing several time-consuming, laborious and unpleasant steps from existing bin-rotation arrangements. For example, with the present invention there is no need to insert a plastic bin liner before use; there is no need to remove a plastic bin liner after use; and there is no need to clean the container after use. At no point in time does an end user, or an employee of a third party waste contractor, ever come into contact with (or see) the inside of the container or its contents. Therefore, the risk associated with infection is eliminated for all persons concerned.

It is anticipated that the simplicity and single-use nature of the present invention may allow healthcare settings to bring its washroom services in-house, e.g. by utilising existing staff to install and remove offensive/hygiene' waste containers.

NHS hospitals will already have existing contractual arrangements in place for the disposal of infectious and non-infectious waste by, e.g. incineration, heat disinfection technology or landfill and so the use of disposable containers of the present invention will, at a minimum, facilitate a consolidation of waste disposal services with associated cost savings.

It is also anticipated that the simplicity and single-use nature of the present invention may afford many benefits to third party waste contractors. For example, use of the disposable containers of the present invention would provide a significant cost saving over plastic peddle bins which are expensive to purchase and which have a limited lifespan. Cleaning and maintenance costs are eliminated thus representing a saving on staff costs. Transportation and storage costs wouki be significantly reduced due to the lightweight and collapsed nature of the containers which can be quickly and simply assembled on-site. An associated environmental benefit can therefore be realised due to the reduction in the number of delivery runs.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. For example, the assembly steps described above need not necessarily be carried out in the exact sequence described above. It will also be appreciat:ed that different: number of panels; and/or panels of different: shapes and sizes may be used t:o provide cont:ainers having different three-dimensional shapes and sizes.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A disposable paper container for storing sanitary products, the container comprising: (i) abase; (ii) a first pair of opposing side walls extending away from the base; (111) a second pair of opposing side walls extending away from the base; (iv) a top wall opposite the base; and (v) a ramp surfhce connectable to at least two walls within the container; and wherein an opening is formed in the top wall which overlies the ramp surface.
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a closeable lid for closing over the opening in the top wall.
3. The container of claim 2, wberein the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said closable lid, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.
4. The container of either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the closable lid is contiguous with o the other of the first pair of opposing side walls and is foldable to overlie both the top wall and the underlying inclined ramp surface.
5. The container of any of claims 2 to 4, whereIn a peripheral flange Is provided on the closeable 1i4 and wherein a connection tab is provided on the peripheral flange and is co-operable with a lid tab receiving means on a wall of the container.
6. The container of claim 1 or claIm 2, wherein the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said top wall, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.
7. The container of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the top wall is contiguous with one of the first pair of opposing side walls and is foldable to overlie the Inclined ramp surface.
8. The container of claim 1 or claim 2. wherein the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said base, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.
9. The container of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second pairs of opposing side walls, and said ramp surface, are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.
10. The container of claIm 1 or claIm 2, wherein the ramp surface Is contiguous with one of the second pair of opposing side walls and Is foldable Into the space between the first and second pairs of opposing side walls.
11. The container of any preceding claim, wherein a connection tab Is provided on a peripheral edge of the ramp surface, and the tab is co-operable with a ramp tab receiving means on a wall of the container.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the ramp tab receiving means is defined by an inclined slit formed on a wail of the container.

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13. The container of any preceding claim, wherein when the Inclined ramp surface Is connected to said at least two walls within the container a lowest part of the ramp is spacedfrom the base.
14. The container of any preceding claim, wherein all parts of the container are formed from a single blank of foldable paper panels.
15. The container of claim 14 wherein the foldable paper panels are fbrmed from corrugated cardboard.
16. The container of any preceding claim, further comprising an internal hydrogel liner for absorbing liquid.
17. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp surface is provided with a wax layer.
18. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the internal and/or external surface of one or more of the walls Is provided with a wax layer.