Ultraviolet light sterilizing waste containers

Abstract

A multi-stage lid ultraviolet sterilizing waste container is disclosed which contains a housing, base, lid assembly, support structure for receiving flexible bag assemblies and at least one UV light source for sterilizing the inside of the container. The waste container further includes sensors and motors to automate certain steps.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A diaper pail, comprising:
 a housing having an upper end and a lower end;   a base attached at the lower end;   a lid assembly pivotally attached by a hinge to the upper end, the lid assembly having:
 a first lid that allows access to an interior of a flexible bag assembly housed within the housing; 
 a second lid that allows access to a top structure of the flexible bag assembly housed within the housing; and 
 a third lid that allows access to a bottom portion of the flexible bag assembly; 
   wherein the first lid and the second lid and the third lid are all substantially parallel with each other when in a closed position over the upper end of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bag assembly comprises a single use flexible bag having an attachment frame. 
     
     
         3 . The diaper pail of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment frame is secured between the second lid and the third lid. 
     
     
         4 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bag assembly comprises a cassette adapted to dispense a flexible tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The diaper pail of  claim 4 , wherein the cassette is secured between the second lid and the third lid. 
     
     
         6 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , wherein the second lid and the third lid both have a central opening. 
     
     
         7 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , wherein the first lid, the second lid, and the third lid all rotate about the hinge attached to the upper end of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , further comprising a bag cutter positioned in the housing and under a bottom portion of the third lid. 
     
     
         9 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , further comprising UVC lights to irradiate an interior area of the diaper pail. 
     
     
         10 . The diaper pail of  claim 9 , further comprising trigger that shuts off the UVC lights if the third lid is not securely on the upper end of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The diaper pail of  claim 9 , wherein the UVC lights are positioned between the first lid and the second lid. 
     
     
         12 . The diaper pail of  claim 9 , wherein the UVC lights are positioned underneath the third lid. 
     
     
         13 . The diaper pail of  claim 9 , wherein the UVC lights are positioned as an array on an inside wall of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The diaper pail of  claim 13 , wherein the array of UVC lights is directed horizontally across the inside wall of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The diaper pail of  claim 13 , wherein the array of UVC lights is directed vertically across the inside wall of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The diaper pail of  claim 9 , wherein the UVC lights are positioned on an interior wall of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The diaper pail of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor to open the first lid. 
     
     
         18 . The diaper pail of  claim 17 , wherein the motor also rotates blades that twist a bag attached to the flexible bag assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The diaper pail of  claim 18 , further comprising a sensor, positioned between the first lid and the second lid that detects nearby motion of an object and that triggers the motor to rotate the blades, after the detected nearby motion is no longer detected. 
     
     
         20 . The diaper pail of  claim 17 , further comprising a sensor positioned on an exterior surface of the first lid to determine nearby motion and trigger the motor to open the first lid when a motion is detected.