Single-Handed Disposal Device with Collapsible Loop Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposal methods for soiled items, particularly sanitary and medical products, are inconvenient, unhygienic, and environmentally problematic, as they often require manual handling with limited hand availability, leading to contamination risks and potential blockages in sewage systems.
Innovation Solution
A disposal device with a liquid-impermeable container featuring mouth manipulation loops on its exterior walls, allowing single-handed operation to open and close the container for easy receipt and storage of soiled items, preventing contamination and environmental issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional disposal bags or receptacles are used, then disposal function is provided, but they are difficult to open with one hand requiring two hands for effective manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The loops are designed to be collapsible and expandable, changing from a compact flat state during storage to an expanded state during use. This dynamic transformation allows the loops to be easily manipulated with one hand - the user can collapse the loops together to grip and pull them apart to open the receptacle, then collapse them again to close it, eliminating the need for two hands while providing effective disposal functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth manipulation means is segmented into two separate loops positioned on opposite outside walls of the container. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of each loop, enabling the user to grip both loops with one hand and pull them apart to open the mouth, or bring them together to close it, providing simple single-handed operation without complex mechanisms
2Reliability
If manual handling of soiled items is required, then disposal is possible, but contamination risk increases and hand availability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth manipulation means (loops) is extracted from the interior of the receptacle and positioned on the outside walls. This external positioning allows the user to manipulate the opening mechanism without inserting hands into the receptacle interior, preventing contamination of the hands while opening or closing the device, and enabling effective operation even when only one hand is freely available
Solution Approach 2:
The loops serve as an intermediary mechanism between the user's hand and the soiled item. The user interacts with the loops on the outside of the receptacle to open and close the mouth, never directly touching the soiled item inside. This intermediary approach prevents contamination while maintaining full control over the disposal process with limited hand availability
3Reliability
If the container mouth remains closed during storage, then item protection is improved, but opening requires two hands for effective manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible loop design allows the opening mechanism to transform from a compact protected state during storage to an easily manipulated state during use. The loops remain collapsed and flat during storage, maintaining the closed protective state of the mouth. During opening, the user simply expands the loops by pulling them apart with one hand, providing both protection during storage and ease of opening without requiring two hands
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a disposal device for the receipt of an item. The disposal device comprises a container substantially impervious to liquid having a mouth formed therein through which a soiled item may be received by the container. In use, the mouth is arranged to be capable of manipulation by a single hand of a user between a mouth open position and a mouth closed position. The disposal device may also be configured to act as primary packaging for the item before use (and soiling) thereof or for storage of the item.