U.S. patent application number 10/864861 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for smoking-waste receptacle with disposable container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC. Invention is credited to Bennett, Eric D., Jhaveri, Samir N., Presnell, Donald C..
Application Number | 20050016552 10/864861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33551666 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050016552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Presnell, Donald C. ; et
al. |
January 27, 2005 |
Smoking-waste receptacle with disposable container
Abstract
A receptacle for receiving smoking waste includes a base, a cap
configured to be connected to the base, and a disposable container.
The container is configured to be inserted into the base to receive
and collect smoking waste. An opening in the cap permits a user to
insert smoking waste. The opening connects to a passage which
permits the smoking waste to fall into the disposable container.
When the receptacle is to be cleaned or emptied, the cap is removed
from the base and the container is removed. The container may be
sealed shut and disposed of, preventing a user from lifting heavy
buckets or touching any smoking waste.
Inventors: |
Presnell, Donald C.;
(Stephens City, VA) ; Bennett, Eric D.;
(Winchester, VA) ; Jhaveri, Samir N.; (Winchester,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
LLC
|
Family ID: |
33551666 |
Appl. No.: |
10/864861 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60477051 |
Jun 10, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 19/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/231 |
International
Class: |
A24D 001/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A receptacle for receiving smoking waste comprising: a base; a
cap configured to be connected to the base; and a disposable,
noncombustible container for receiving smoking waste and configured
to be removably inserted in the base.
2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to
house the container.
3. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a cover
portion, an opening in the cover portion, and a passage that
connects the opening to the container.
4. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein the cap includes a
flow-inhibiting structure in the passage to inhibit smoke from
exiting the receptacle.
5. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a cover
portion and a recess in the cover portion for receiving ash and
snuffing out smoking waste.
6. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a cover
portion with a maximum diameter and a throat portion of smaller
maximum diameter to form a lower edge on the cover portion, the
base includes a rim, and the throat portion is configured to fit
within the rim such that the lower edge rests on the rim.
7. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein a connector is provided to
connect the cap to the base such that the cap can pivot between an
open position and a closed position.
8. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the base includes a post that
projects upwardly from the base and the disposable container
includes an opening into which the post extends to hold the
disposable container within the base.
9. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container is configured
to be connected to the cap.
10. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein the cap includes a channel
and a portion of the container can be fit into the channel to
connect the container to the cap.
11. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein the container includes a
flexible portion that is directly connected to the cap.
12. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein the container includes a
closure device to connect the container to the cap.
13. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein the cap includes a cover
portion with a maximum diameter and a throat portion of smaller
maximum diameter, and the container is connected to the throat
portion.
14. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container includes a
closure device to seal the container.
15. The receptacle of claim 14, wherein the container includes at
least a portion that is flexible, and the closure device is
provided in the flexible portion of the container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
No. 60/477,051 filed Jun. 10, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a receptacle for smoking
waste, such as cigarette butts or cigar butts. Although smoking has
been found to lead to many health problems, a significant
percentage of the population still smokes. In the United States
alone, studies for the American Heart Association have indicated an
average of 22% of adults in the United States smoke cigarettes.
Conventional ash trays, which were common in households of adult
smokers, are being used less now that families are aware of the
dangers of second-hand smoke to children in the household. Those
smokers are choosing to do more of their smoking outdoors on their
patios and decks. This leads to a problem of outdoor smoking-waste
litter for the homeowner.
[0003] The use of traditional open-container ashtrays in these
patio and deck areas has several drawbacks. The ashtray has a small
capacity and fills up quickly with smoking waste, which requires
frequent cleaning. The cigarette butts are also left exposed,
creating an unsightly condition and odor and also a possible hazard
because the cigarette butts are not completely extinguished. Also
the traditional ashtray typically includes rest notches that
encourage smokers to set a smoldering cigarette on the ashtray.
This creates second hand smoke in the patio area.
[0004] Recent smoking legislation has forced the smoking public to
move outdoors from public buildings in several states. Smoking is
not permitted within some buildings for other reasons. The building
management provides only specific designated smoking areas. This
results in smoking-waste litter concentrated in a specific
area.
[0005] Manufacturers have introduced smoking stations or
receptacles for use in designated smoking areas. These conventional
receptacles are generally very large with heights of 36 inches and
taller. The smoking waste enters the receptacle through a small
hole at the top and travels through a long neck until falling into
a bucket filled with non-combustible material such as sand. This
configuration of conventional receptacle hides the unsightly
smoking waste and unpleasant odor that a typical ashtray would
have.
[0006] A drawback with conventional receptacles is that they are
much too large for convenient home and patio use in the
non-commercial environment, or hotel room balconies in the
hospitality industry and the commercial environment. These
conventional receptacles are cumbersome to empty as they utilize
the heavy sand filled bucket. A door may be provided in the base of
the conventional container to access the bucket. After the bucket
is removed, smoking waste must either be poured out with sand or
one must scoop the smoking waste out of the sand-filled bucket. The
process of cleaning conventional receptacles is unsanitary,
unpleasant, and time consuming. Many users are dissatisfied with
the unpleasant odor and mess associated with the task of picking
the smoking waste out of the sand. It is also undesirable to stoop
down to scoop the smoking waste out of the sand. Ashes can be
stirred up into the air by sifting the sand, which is unpleasant.
Also, it can become necessary to replace the sand that often gets
thrown out with the smoking waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a receptacle for receiving
smoking waste. The receptacle includes a base, a cap and a
disposable container. The cap is configured to be connected to the
base. The disposable container for receiving the smoking waste is
configured to be removably inserted in the base.
[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a
receptacle for receiving smoking waste according to the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cap of the receptacle of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap and a connected
container of the receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
receptacle for receiving smoking waste according to the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the receptacle of
FIG. 4 with a cap partially opened.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cap and base
of the receptacle of FIG. 4 with the cap closed.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cap and base
of the receptacle of FIG. 4 with the cap opened.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the receptacle of
FIG. 4 with the cap fully opened.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a container used in
the receptacle of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same
reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or
like parts.
[0020] According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a receptacle 10 has a cap 20 and a base 30. The
receptacle 10 further includes a disposable container 50 for
receiving smoking waste.
[0021] The cap 20 can provide a cover for the disposable container
50. The cap 20 preferably includes a cover portion 21. An insert
opening 26 in the cover portion 21 connects to a passage 28 that
extends through the bottom of the cap 20 to provide an opening into
the disposable container 50. Two insert openings 26 and passages 28
are shown in FIG. 2. Smoking waste inserted into the insert opening
26 will proceed through the passage 28 into the disposable
container 50.
[0022] The cap 20 may also include a throat portion 40 extending
below a lower edge 23 of the cover portion 21. The throat portion
40 preferably has a smaller maximum diameter than the cap 20, to
form the lower edge 23. Preferably the throat portion 40 is
configured to fit within a rim 32 of the base 30 such that the
lower edge 23 of the cover portion 21 rests on the rim 32 of the
base 30. The throat portion 40 of the cap 20 may include a keyed
channel 42 configured to facilitate attachment of the disposable
container 50 to the cap 20. For example, the keyed channel 42 can
provide a recess into which a portion of the container 50 can be
tightened to secure the container 50 to the cap 20, as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0023] The cap 20 may also include a recess 24. The recess 24 is
preferably shallow and configured to allow smokers to stub out or
ash out their cigarettes or cigars.
[0024] The cap 20 can be made of a variety of materials. Preferably
it is made of cast aluminum or zinc, and may be plated with copper,
bronze, or brass. Such metal material allows the user to snuff out
or extinguish the cigarette or cigar butt before disposing of it.
The cap 20 can be made in other ways, such as molded of plastic or
a wood polymer mix.
[0025] The cap 20 preferably is connected to the base 30 by
conventional means that allow a user to remove the cap 20 from the
base 30 to access the disposable container 50. For example, the cap
20 and base 30 can be loosely connected by fitting the throat
portion 40 of the cap 20 within the rim 32 of the base 30 such that
the lower edge 23 of the cover portion 21 rests on the rim 32 of
the base 30. More secure connections, such as interference,
threaded screw, or friction fits, could also be provided.
[0026] The disposable container 50 receives and retains smoking
waste. Preferably, the disposable container 50 fits around the
throat 40 of the cap 20 and captures any smoking waste inserted
into the cap 20.
[0027] The disposable container 50 preferably includes a closure
device 52, such as a drawstring fit within a flap 53 in the
disposable container 50, that can be tightened to facilitate
connection of the disposable container 50 to the throat 40. When
the throat 40 has the keyed channel 42, the closure device 52 may
be tightened to snugly fit in the keyed channel 42 to keep the
disposable container 50 in a proper position. The closure device
fit preferably is provided in a flexible portion of the disposable
container 50.
[0028] The closure device 52 also can be used to close the
disposable container 50 when it is ready for disposal. In
particular, after removing the disposable container 50 from the
throat 40, the closure device 52 may be further tightened to seal
the disposable container 50 shut. Thus, the contents of the
disposable container 50 will be retained within it for
disposal.
[0029] The disposable container 50 can be positioned within the
base 30. Preferably, the disposable container 50 is configured to
line the inside of the base 30.
[0030] The disposable container 50 is preferably made of
lightweight material(s), which makes it easier for a user to pick
up and move the container 50. This makes it easier for a user to
dispose of the container 50 without heavy lifting. For example, the
disposable container 50 may be made of heavy duty aluminum foil bag
or a thin aluminum can.
[0031] Preferably the disposable container 50 is made of
noncombustible material(s). The use of noncombustible material
facilitates the collection of smoking waste in a safe manner.
Additionally, the use of noncombustible material can eliminate the
need for sand, or other noncombustible filler, to safely collect
smoking waste. Omitting the noncombustible filler further
contributes to the lightweight nature of the disposable container
50. It also allows the user to not have to sift through sand or
touch any of the cigarette or cigar butts before disposing of
them.
[0032] Preferably at least the portion of the disposable container
50 that connects to the throat 40 of the cap 20 is flexible. This
permits an easier connection, while allowing the flexibility to
seal the disposable container 50 for disposal. Preferably, the
entirety of the disposable container 50 is made of flexible
material.
[0033] The disposable container 50 can have a capacity of, for
example, 500 cigarette butts. Because of the large capacity of the
container 50, the receptacle 10 will require less frequent changing
or cleaning than smaller capacity smoking-waste receptacles. If the
receptacle 10 is used commercially, this reduced labor translates
to higher work efficiency and a savings to the site using this
receptacle 10.
[0034] The base 30 is configured to support the cap 20. Preferably,
the base 30 is configured to house the container 50. However, the
base 30 could be open sided and not fully house the container 50.
As mentioned above, the base 30 preferably includes the rim 32 upon
which the cap 20 is positioned.
[0035] The base 30 can be, for example, molded of plastic or a wood
polymer mix. The base 30 also can be made of plastic by low
pressure plastic injection molding (structural foam or structural
web technologies), roto-molding, or blow molding. The base 30 may
also be made of wood, pre-cast concrete, formed metal, polyolefin
resin, or engineering resin.
[0036] When the receptacle 10 is full or otherwise ready to be
cleaned, the disposable container 50 can be removed from the base
30, and detached from the cap 20 for disposal. In particular, the
cap 20 is detached from the base 30, allowing a user to access the
disposable container 50. The user may simply remove the container
50 from the cap 20, seal the container 50, and discard the
container 50 after it (including its contents) is sufficiently cool
to be placed in the trash. This allows a user to quickly empty and
clean the receptacle 10.
[0037] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, and 9. This second embodiment is similar in many respects
to the first embodiment, except the receptacle has a different
shape, the cap 20 is provided with a flow-inhibiting structure, the
disposable container 50 is connected to the base 30, and the
connection between the cap 20 and the base 30 differs. These
modifications could be incorporated separately or in combination
into the receptacle of the first embodiment.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, the cap 20 in this second
embodiment is provided with a flow-inhibiting structure 80, such as
a baffle. The flow-inhibiting structure inhibits smoke from the
smoking waste from exiting the receptacle 10. The flow inhibiting
structure 80 includes a lower wall 84 leading to a limited opening
slot 86. The lower wall 84 slopes downward. Smoking waste will be
guided by the lower wall 84 through the slot 86 and into the
container 50. The limited opening slot 86 is configured to allow a
cigarette butt to pass, but to prevent the majority of smoke from
escaping the container 50. Smoke from the smoking waste will swirl
around within the container 50 under the flow inhibiting structure
80 and will be inhibited from escaping through the cap 20. The
smoke circulating within the container 50 also restricts oxygen
flow to the disposed smoking waste in the container 50.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, in this second
embodiment the disposable container 50 is connected to the base 30.
The base 30 includes at least one post 70, and preferably a
plurality of posts 70, projecting upwardly from the rim 32 of the
base 30. The cap 20 includes recesses 27, as shown in FIG. 6,
positioned in the underside of the lower edge 23. The recesses 27
are each configured to receive a post 70. The disposable container
50 can be attached to the posts 70 to help maintain the proper
position of the container 50 in the base 30. The container 50
includes openings 54 configured to be positioned around the posts
70. The openings 54 may be positioned on a fold-over flap 56, that
preferably is flexible. The container 50 is positioned within the
base 30, with a fold-over flap 56 extending out of the interior of
the base 30 and laying along the rim 32 of the base 30. The
container 50 may be folded and die cut to create the flaps. A
punching operation may be used to create the openings 54.
[0040] In this second embodiment, the cap 20 is connected to the
base 30 by a connector. For example, a hinge structure 90, as shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8, can be provided to pivotably connect the cap 20
to the base 30. The hinge structure 90 permits the cap 20 to pivot
between an open position and a closed position.
[0041] The embodiments described above have been set forth herein
for the purpose of illustration. This description, however, should
not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention.
Various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to
one skilled in the art without departing from the claimed inventive
concept. The scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *