U.S. patent application number 10/675488 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-01 for receptacle for spent smoking materials.
This patent application is currently assigned to Justrite Manufacturing Company, LLC. Invention is credited to Carter, Glen, Flider, Frank.
Application Number | 20040060940 10/675488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28455256 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040060940 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carter, Glen ; et
al. |
April 1, 2004 |
Receptacle for spent smoking materials
Abstract
A receptacle for spent smoking materials is provided. The
receptacle includes a base portion defining a chamber for
containing the smoking materials. The base portion has an open
upper end having a rim. The receptacle also includes an upper
portion having a neck which extends upward from a dome which
engages the rim and encloses an upper end of the base portion. A
seal being provided between the rim of the base and the dome. A
head is arranged at the upper end of the neck. The head has an
orifice therein for receiving spent smoking materials. The orifice
being arranged underneath and adjacent a bonnet which protects the
orifice from the infiltration of rainwater.
Inventors: |
Carter, Glen; (Mattoon,
IL) ; Flider, Frank; (Mattoon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, SUITE 4900
180 NORTH STETSON AVENUE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6780
US
|
Assignee: |
Justrite Manufacturing Company,
LLC
Des Plaines
IL
60016-5315
|
Family ID: |
28455256 |
Appl. No.: |
10/675488 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10675488 |
Sep 30, 2003 |
|
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09855058 |
May 14, 2001 |
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6626322 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 19/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/576 |
International
Class: |
A24F 019/00; A24F
021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A receptacle for spent smoking materials which prevents tar and
nicotine infused run-off from leaking out of the receptacle, the
receptacle comprising: a base portion defining a chamber for
containing the spent smoking materials, the base portion having an
upper edge surrounding an open end of the base portion, an upper
portion arranged on the upper edge of the base portion and which is
separable therefrom along a joint, the upper portion including a
dome which encloses the open end of the base portion, a head and a
neck, the neck having an elongated inner passage extending
therethrough for providing communication between the chamber and an
orifice in the head for receiving the spent smoking materials, and
the head having a relatively larger cross-sectional area than the
internal passage.
2. The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the head includes a
bonnet which is arranged directly above the orifice.
3. The receptacle according to claim 2 wherein the orifice is
arranged in a panel recessed from an outer surface of the
bonnet.
4. The receptacle according to claim 3 wherein the recessed panel
is recessed deeper at an upper edge adjacent the bonnet than at a
lower edge.
5. The receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the head includes a
surface for stubbing out smoking materials arranged underneath the
orifice.
6. The receptacle according to claim 5 wherein the orifice is
arranged in a panel recessed into the head and the portion of the
recessed panel beneath the hole defines the stubbing surface.
7. The receptacle according to claim 6 wherein a ledge formed by
the recessed panel defines a lower edge of the stubbing
surface.
8. The receptacle according to claim 1 further including a locking
mechanism which secures the upper portion to base portion at the
joint.
9. The receptacle according to claim 1 further including a bucket
arranged in the chamber of the base portion.
10. A receptacle for spent smoking materials comprising a base
portion defining a chamber for containing the spent smoking
materials, the base portion having an upper edge surrounding an
open end of the base portion, an upper portion arranged on the
upper edge of the base portion and enclosing the open end thereof,
the upper portion having an elongated inner passage for providing
communication between the chamber and an orifice for receiving the
spent smoking materials, the upper portion being separable from the
base portion along a joint, and a flow diverting mechanism arranged
above and in close proximity to the joint for directing fluid away
from the joint and towards the interior of the chamber.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to receptacles for spent
smoking materials. More specifically, the invention relates to a
repository that accepts spent smoking materials and extinguishes
any smoldering smoking debris.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Smoking necessarily produces unsightly litter in the form of
cigarette or cigar butts and spent matches. This litter can be
difficult to clean up effectively because of its germ-carrying
potential and small size. Also, smoldering smoking refuse poses an
obvious fire hazard, particularly when disposed of in ordinary
trash cans containing other flammable refuse.
[0003] With the proliferation of environmental and workplace
regulations that force smokers outdoors, a high concentration of
smoking related litter can accumulate in areas where smokers
congregate or pass by. Receptacles are generally placed in these
areas to encourage smokers to discard their spent smoking materials
in the receptacles rather than on the ground. Frequently, these
receptacles include ordinary trash cans in combination with an
ashtray for receiving the smoking related litter. These designs
have several significant drawbacks. For example, the ashtray
portion of the receptacle can quickly become filled with cigarette
butts and the like. Because the debris in the ashtray is visible,
the appearance of the receptacle becomes quite unappealing.
Moreover, if the smoker does not adequately extinguish the
cigarette before discarding it in the receptacle, the cigarette can
continue to burn or smolder producing smoke and creating a fire
hazard particularly with respect to the trash can portion of the
receptacle.
[0004] To address these concerns, various self-extinguishing
receptacle designs have been marketed. One example of such a
receptacle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,355 ("the '355
patent"). The '355 patent discloses a receptacle consisting of a
lower base portion that defines a cavity for receiving the smoking
materials and an upper portion which defines an elongated tapered
inner throat passage which communicates with the cavity in the
base. Portals are provided in the upper portion near the upper end
of the tapered internal passage for depositing the smoking related
debris into the receptacle.
[0005] These designs have several shortcomings. The smoldering
smoking refuse produces smoke that includes among other chemicals,
tar and nicotine. The chemicals collect and build up on the inner
surface of the enclosure. Then, the chemicals begin to drip and run
down the enclosure producing a dark-colored runoff that can escape
at the joint between the upper and lower portions and run down the
exterior surfaces of the receptacle. This problem can be compounded
by rainwater that enters the receptacle through the unprotected
smoking debris portals located in the upper portion. The
tar-and-nicotine-infused water then freely runs down the exterior
of the base portion. This effect is typically unacceptable,
particularly at the entrances to corporate offices and public
spaces such as museums, restaurants, shops, and the like.
[0006] The tapered throat passage with its contiguous portals also
fails to provide a means for partially extinguishing the smoking
articles before insertion into the receptacle. As a result, there
is unnecessary smoking and smoldering within the receptacle. This
leads to increased dark-colored runoff and also increases the
likelihood that there would be smoke escaping from the portals as
the materials smolder in the receptacle. If sufficient oxygen is
permitted to enter the receptacle as by an improperly placed upper
section, there is also a heightened fire hazard.
[0007] These designs also have the shortcoming that they fail to
control the air circulation in the lower cavity. The designs
provide for two tapered sections, one in the lid portion and one in
the inner throat portion. Together, the sections provide for a
tapering configuration from the lower collection area to the
portals. This tapering configuration assists the air in flowing
from the smoldering debris to the outside, which has the effect of
heightening the likelihood that smoke will escape possibly falsely
indicating that the receptacle is on fire inside. Such an effect is
disruptive to the businesses where the receptacle is placed.
[0008] These designs also suffer from the shortcoming that water
and rain can enter the portals because they are not covered. While
the side placement of the portals provides some protection from the
entry of rain and the like, if rain is falling at an angle, it can
freely flow into the device.
[0009] Visibility and attractiveness to smokers is another
important feature of any receptacle for smoking refuse. In the '355
patent design, the slim, tapered design of the upper end of upper
portion, where the refuse portals are located, can be easily
overlooked by smokers. The purpose of these inconspicuous portals
may not be immediately apparent to smokers, particularly against
certain backgrounds. As a result, smoking refuse may end up
littering an area near such a receptacle, because the receptacle
did not attract smokers'notice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention provides a receptacle
with features that are significantly different and better than
other receptacles. The receptacle includes a non-tapered neck
portion with an enlarged head containing openings for receiving
smoking debris. The enlarged head provides an angled inner surface
and a bonnet arrangement which shields the openings from taking in
rain and the like. The angled inner surface head provides a large
surface for the smokers to partially extinguish their smoking
materials before inserting them into the receptacle.
[0011] The configuration of the illustrated embodiment of the
present invention also controls the gaseous circulation within the
receptacle by generating eddy airflows. In addition to the
non-tapered head and neck portions, the lower dome-shaped cap of
the upper portion is not tapered, but is convex in form relative to
the base portion. Thus, as the smoke rises, it flows along the
convex surface and collides into smoke flowing on the other side.
As the streams collide they begin to back around, thus producing an
eddy effect. This helps reduce the possibility of smoke escaping
out of the openings in the neck. The gaseous circulation is also
controlled by a restrictive configuration at the base of the neck.
Instead of tapering from an open interface as in other designs. The
neck portion becomes narrower before the interface with the dome
portion. This narrowed passage assists in separating the gaseous
contents of the lower portion of the device from the openings.
[0012] Furthermore, the illustrated embodiment of the present
invention includes a lip configuration for preventing the runoff of
dark chemicals to the outside of the device.
[0013] These and other advantages of the present invention, as well
as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the
description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle for
spent smoking material constructed in accordance with the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the neck portion of the
receptacle of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the head portion of the
receptacle of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the base portion of the
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the base portion of the
receptacle of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base portion of the
receptacle of FIG. 1, further illustrating the locking channel.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partially cut away, of
the upper portion of the receptacle of FIG. 1, further illustrating
the locking tab portion.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial side sectional view of the receptacle of
FIG. 1 showing the circulation of smoke in eddy currents in the
chamber. Separating
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 provides a perspective
view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a receptacle 10
for spent smoking materials. The receptacle 10 generally consists
of a base portion 15 defining a chamber 20 for containing spent
smoking materials, and an upper portion 21 including a neck 22
having lower and upper ends 24, 26. At either end of the neck, the
upper portion includes a head 40 and a dome 30. The dome 30
encloses an open upper end of the base portion 15 such that the
head 40 is in communication with the chamber 20 via the neck 22. As
will be described in greater detail below, spent smoking materials
that are deposited into the head 40 fall through the neck 22, into
the chamber 20 for containment. In the chamber 20, the unsightly
spent smoking materials are hidden from view, dramatically
improving the appearance of the receptacle as compared to
conventional ashtrays. Moreover, the receptacle is configured so as
to restrict the flow of oxygen into the chamber so that the smoking
materials are safely and quickly extinguished thereby reducing the
risk of fire.
[0023] For receiving smoking related refuse, the head 40 has one or
more orifices 42 formed therein. These orifices 42 communicate with
the interior of the head 40, and in turn with the chamber 20, via
the neck 22. Thus, as illustrated by FIG. 1, smoking materials
inserted into one of the orifices 42 will fall into the chamber 20
through the neck 22. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head 40
has a larger horizontal cross-sectional area than the neck 22. As a
result of its enlarged configuration, the head 40 can better
attract the attention of smokers to the orifices 42 through which
they should deposit their spent smoking materials, thus inviting
their use. The inclusion of a written inscription or label 43 on
the head 40 itself can make the orifices even more conspicuous to
smokers. Of course, it will be appreciated that the inscription or
label can be in any suitable form including, for example, a
self-adhesive label.
[0024] To provide protection against the infiltration of rainwater,
the orifices 42 can be disposed on panels 46 that are recessed into
the head portion 40 so as to define a respective bonnet 58 over
each of the orifices 42. In this instance, each panel 46 is
oriented with its upper bonnet edge recessed more deeply into the
head 40 than its lower edge 54. These bonnets 58 shield the
orifices 42 from even most wind-blown rainwater. The shielding
effect of the bonnets 58 is enhanced by shifting each orifice 42
upwards from the center of its respective panel 46 closer to the
bonnet as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the bonnet 58 is enlarged while
still maintaining the orifice 42 in an easily accessible
location.
[0025] The recessed panels 46 also provide a surface for
extinguishing the smoking debris before disposal. In particular,
the portions of the panels below the orifices can define
extinguishing surfaces for smokers to crush or stub out their
cigarette or cigar butts. The angled orientation of the panels
makes the extinguishing surfaces easily accessible and allows the
smokers to use a natural downward stubbing motion. Moreover, the
extinguishing surfaces are conveniently located proximate the
orifices so as to encourage their use by smokers.
[0026] As noted above, the configuration of the receptacle 10
limits the flow of combustion-supporting oxygen into the chamber.
The resulting oxygen deprivation tends to smother and choke off any
smoldering materials deposited into the chamber 20. Extinguishing
of the cigarettes is enhanced by the configuration of the dome 30
which covers the base portion 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the
dome 30 arches downwardly from the lower end 24 of neck 22 and
covers the chamber 20. The convex shape of the dome 30 will
naturally cause the smoke within the chamber 20 to circulate in
eddy currents that naturally limit the flow of smoke upwards
through the neck 22. In addition to limiting the escape of smoke
through the orifices 42 in the neck 22, these eddy currents help
limit the oxygen available to support combustion in the chamber
20.
[0027] Specifically, smoke from any smoldering materials in the
chamber 20 will naturally drift upward toward the underside of the
dome 30 as shown in FIG. 8. When the smoke reaches the dome, it is
directed inward towards the lower end 24 of the neck 22. As the
smoke approaches the lower end 24 of the neck 22, the curve of the
dome, which at this point is nearly perpendicular relative to the
longitudinal axis of the neck, drives the smoke in an almost
horizontal direction. Thus, when the smoke converges on the neck it
all mixes together and is driven back in the downward direction
away from the opening to the neck 22. This helps prevent smoke from
drifting up through the neck 22 and out the orifices 44. This
effect is further enhanced by a necked-in portion 59 provided at
the transition between the dome 30 and the neck 22 which limits the
size of the opening through which smoke can escape the chamber 20.
The circulation of smoke in eddy currents possibly could also help
reduce the build-up of tar and nicotine on the underside of the
dome 30.
[0028] To facilitate removal of the smoking materials contained in
the chamber, the upper portion 21 is joined to the base portion 15
by a separable connection 60. In the illustrated embodiment, as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the base portion 15 consists of a bottom
wall 62 and a continuous sidewall 64 extending upwardly in
perpendicular relation therefrom. Accordingly, the bottom wall 62
is, in this case, as at least as large as the open upper end of the
base portion 15. This imparts stability to the receptacle 10 by
providing a broad base and a relatively low center of gravity. As
shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the separable connection 60 between the
dome 30 and the base portion 15 is facilitated by an edge skirt 66
that extends downwardly from the dome 30, and overlaps the upper
rim 68 of the sidewall 64.
[0029] Removal of the spent smoking materials can be eased by the
use of a bucket 70 in the chamber 20. This eliminates the need to
lift the base portion 15, which may be tied down to prevent theft
or toppling caused by high winds. It will be appreciated that the
receptacle 10 and bucket 70 can be constructed of any appropriate
fire retardant material, e.g., galvanized steel or polyethylene
with a flame-retardant additive.
[0030] A secure connection is provided between the dome 30 and the
base portion 15, by a locking mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7,
in the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism is a
tab-and-groove type system. In particular, a tab 72 extends
radially inward from the inner surface of the dome edge skirt 66
toward the interior of the chamber 20. A complementary slide-lock
groove 74 is provided along the upper rim 68 of the base portion
15. The groove 74 has a vertical leg 76 that receives the tab 72 as
the dome edge skirt 66 engages the base portion 15. When the dome
30 contacts the upper rim 68 of the base portion 15, the dome is
then rotated relative to the base portion such that the tab 72
slides along a horizontal leg 78 of the groove74, thus locking the
dome to the base portion. The effectiveness of the locking
mechanism can be enhanced by a threaded knob 80, as seen in FIG. 6.
The knob 80 passes through a complementary hole in the edge skirt
66, and engages a threaded receiver 82 disposed in the rim 68 of
the base portion 15. The threaded receiver 82 is arranged
approximately diametrically opposite the slide lock components.
[0031] Another beneficial feature of the invention is the
prevention of dark trails along the exterior of the sidewall of the
base portion 15. The present embodiment of the invention includes a
flow diverting structure incorporated between the upper rim 68 of
the base portion 15 and the dome edge skirt 66. In this case, the
flow diverting structure includes a lip 92 on the upper rim 66 of
the base portion 80 as shown in FIG. 5. The lip 92 can be a molded
extension of the rim 66, and extends from an edge 93 radially
inward toward the interior of the base portion 15 so as to define a
flow directing surface 94. The interior of the dome 30, on the
other hand, includes a drip edge 96, in this case in the form of a
bead, which extends around the dome 30, inside of the edge skirt
66. When the upper portion 21 is attached to the base portion 15 to
enclose the chamber 20, the drip edge 96 is arranged over and in
relatively close proximity to the flow directing surface 94 of the
lip 92. The tar-and-nicotine-infused water which is directed along
the underside of the dome 30 is blocked by the drip edge 96 and
directed downwards onto the flow directing surface 94 of the lip.
The flow directing surface 94, in turn, directs the water back into
the interior of the chamber 20. Thus, the flow diverting structure
prevents the water from escaping the receptacle through the joint
60. As will be appreciated, any suitable flow diverting arrangement
can be used between the upper portion and the base portion
including the use of separate components such as a sealing ring or
any other type of sealing structure.
[0032] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the receptacle of
the present invention not only serves to keep the surrounding
environment clean, but provides an attractive and aesthetically
appealing appearance for the receptacle itself by hiding from view
the unsightly spent smoking materials. The openings into the
receptacle can be shielded from rainwater and are highly visible
and obvious to smokers. The receptacle reduces fire risk by
smothering any smoldering smoking materials that are deposited
therein. Further, a seal between the upper and lower portions of
the receptacle prevents any dark colored run-off from the
receptacle.
[0033] While this invention has been described with an emphasis
upon exemplary embodiments, variations of the exemplary embodiments
can be used, and it is intended that the invention can be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this
invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
* * * * *