U.S. patent application number 10/987519 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for cigarette butt receptable with advertising display.
Invention is credited to Gitter, Michael, Goldberg, Kenneth L..
Application Number | 20050109355 10/987519 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34595070 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldberg, Kenneth L. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Cigarette butt receptable with advertising display
Abstract
A cigarette receptacle and information display assembly
including a base forming a cavity therein. The base is removably
attached to an upper portion, which comprises a cover and a tube.
The cover covers the cavity and is coupled to the tube. A
passageway is formed within the tube, and the tube has openings at
bottom and top ends of the tube so that the passageway is in
communication with the cavity. A crown having an opening formed
therein is positioned over the top end of the tube. Smoking refuse
is inserted into the crown opening and is directed through the
passageway and into the cavity, where the refuse is concealed and
extinguished. An information display unit is coupled to the tube so
that passers-by and smokers are exposed to the information
displayed in the display unit.
Inventors: |
Goldberg, Kenneth L.;
(Franklin Park, IL) ; Gitter, Michael; (New York
City, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Welsh & Katz, Ltd.
Eric D. Cohen
22nd Floor
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34595070 |
Appl. No.: |
10/987519 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60524054 |
Nov 24, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 2023/0041 20130101;
A24F 19/105 20130101; A24F 19/14 20130101; G09F 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/231 |
International
Class: |
A24D 001/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for storing cigarette butts and displaying
informational material, the apparatus comprising: a base forming a
cavity therein, a cover removably attached to the base and covering
the cavity; a hollow tube coupled to the cover and defining a
passageway; the tube having top and bottom ends, and the passageway
being in communication with the cavity; a display unit operatively
coupled to the tube, the display unit configured to display
information; and wherein the tube includes a tube opening
configured to receive smoking refuse so that when the smoking
refuse is inserted in the tube opening, the smoking refuse is
directed through the passageway to the cavity.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit further
comprises at least one frame, each frame including a lower trough
for supporting and/or retaining informational materials.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lower trough further
comprises slots defined therein.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a transparent
shield, wherein the display unit further comprises a shield
fastener for removably fastening the shield to the display
unit.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the shield fastener further
comprises a screw.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the display unit further
comprises three rectangular frames operatively coupled to each
other to form a body of the display unit.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the body further comprise a
light source contained therein.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display unit further
comprises three vertical displays, each vertical display being
positioned between with two of said rectangular frames.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tubular collar
having a throughbore and an inside diameter larger than an outside
diameter of the tube, the throughbore of collar configured to
receive the tube, the display unit including a tube receiving
aperture configured to receive a portion of the tube therethrough
such that a bottom portion of the display unit is supported by an
upper portion of the collar.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a neck integrally
formed with the cover and the tube, said neck having a diameter
larger than a diameter of the tube and larger than a diameter the
collar so that when the tube is received within the collar, the
neck prevents downward travel of the collar along the tube.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover and base further
include fasteners adapted to releasably secure the cover to the
base.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a crown positioned
over the tube opening, the crown including at least one lateral
aperture for receiving the smoking refuse.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the crown is removably
attached to the tube.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the crown is removably
attached by nut and bolt fasteners.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the crown includes a
ring-like peripheral portion.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the tube is
closed, said tube including a plurality of apertures formed in a
sidewall of the tube.
17. A cigarette receptacle and information display assembly
comprising: a hollow base having a cavity therein; a cover
removably attached to the base and configured to cover the cavity;
an elongated hollow tube coupled to the cover and defining a
passageway within the tube, the tube having top and bottom open
ends, the bottom end operatively coupled to the cover; a display
unit having a tube receiving opening formed therein, the display
unit being inserted onto the tube so that the tube is received in
the tube receiving opening of the tube, wherein the display unit
includes three rectangular frames to form a display unit body; a
crown removably attached to the top end of the tube by fasteners so
that the display unit cannot be removed without removing the crown,
wherein the crown includes at least one lateral aperture for
receiving smoking refuse such that when smoking refuse is inserted
into the lateral aperture, the refuse is directed through the
opening of the top end of the tube, through the passageway and into
the cavity.
18. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising a neck integrally
formed with the cover and the tube, wherein the passageway of the
tube passes through an interior portion of the neck and is in
communication with the cavity.
19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a collar and a
washer, the collar having a smaller diameter than the neck and a
larger diameter than the tube, the collar disposed over the tube
and atop of the neck, wherein the washer is disposed atop of the
collar to support the display unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S.
Application No. 60/524,054, filed on Nov. 24, 2003 and entitled
"Cigarette Butt Receptacle With Advertising Display."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a cigarette butt and
advertising display assembly. In particular, the present invention
pertains to an assembly configured to receive and extinguish
cigarettes and other smoking related refuse while also displaying
information, such as advertising information.
[0003] The general public has become concerned about the adverse
affects of inhaling second hand smoke, prompting laws that regulate
smoking indoors. As a result, most workplace buildings and many
establishments, such as bars and restaurants, prohibit indoor
smoking. To accommodate smoking employees and patrons, the
workplace buildings, establishments and other "smoke free"
buildings provide "smoking areas" outside of the buildings. In this
manner, smokers may smoke a cigarette, cigar or any other smoking
item outside of the building and, when finished, reenter the
building.
[0004] If there are not adequate facilities to extinguish and
dispose of the cigarettes near the "smoking areas," however,
smokers tend to discard the cigarette butts on the street, leaving
many unsightly cigarette butts and other smoking refuse on the
sidewalk or streets. Because the smoking areas are often on
sidewalks of streets frequented by many people, including potential
bar/restaurant patrons and general customers, the unsightly smoking
refuse may deter potential customers and patrons from frequenting
the building or establishment.
[0005] To address this issue, many buildings have placed
ashtray/trash bins outside of the buildings. The ashtray/bins
typically include a long cylindrical body with a large opening for
trash, and a sand-filled depression positioned atop the body.
Smokers can extinguish and dispose of their cigarettes in the
sand-filled depression. But, this ashtray/bin also caused problems.
If the sand-filled depression is not frequently cleaned, unsightly
cigarettes are exposed to the public and, when exposed to
precipitation, water mixes with this sand and cigarette butts,
resulting in an unpleasant odor and unsightly mixture.
[0006] Many establishments and building managers recognized this
problem and began utilizing alternate cigarette receptacles. Such
alternate cigarette receptacles include a cigarette receptacle in
communication with a tube having an opening at the top of the tube
in which smoking refuse could be deposited. Such receptacles were
able to conceal the unsightly cigarettes, but they failed to
exploit the benefit of the many smokers congregating and loitering
in the smoking areas.
[0007] Specifically, the smoking areas are often located on
sidewalks of streets frequented by many people, including potential
bar/restaurant patrons and general customers. Because the cigarette
receptacle is placed in these highly frequented smoking areas, the
receptacles have the potential to expose the public to different
types of information, such as advertising information about various
products or information in the vicinity where the receptacle is
placed.
[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved cigarette
receptacle that conceals and extinguishes smoking items, such as
cigarettes and cigars, and that also can be used as a device to
expose the public to various types of information and
advertising.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention pertains to a cigarette
receptacle-information display assembly. In one embodiment, the
assembly includes a base having a cavity formed therein that is
coupled to an upper portion. The upper portion includes a cover
that covers the cavity, a neck coupled to the cover, and a tube
coupled to the neck and having a passageway formed therein. A
collar is fitted onto the tube so that it rests on the neck, which
has a larger diameter than that of the tube. A display unit is then
placed on the tube so that it is supported by the collar.
[0010] The display unit may have various forms and, in a preferred
embodiment, includes three display frames that are configured to
display informational material for passers-by. A crown is
positioned over a top end of the tube and is positioned above the
display unit, and must first be removed in order to remove the
display unit. Because the crown is removably attached or locked to
the tube, unauthorized removal of the display unit is prevented.
The crown also includes one or more lateral apertures for accepting
smoking refuse.
[0011] Specifically, smokers can insert their smoking refuse in the
lateral apertures of the crown. The refuse is directed through a
crown opening, into the passageway of the tube and into the cavity,
where it is deposited and extinguished. In addition, smokers and
passers-by are continuously exposed to the information display of
the assembly. As a result, the building or establishment may
generate advertising revenue by charging others to display
advertising materials, display features about their own product or
establishment, or display any other information deemed desirable;
the possibilities are endless.
[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed description,
in conjunction with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a an exploded view of a specific embodiment of a
cigarette receptacle information display assembly of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an assembled alternate
embodiment of a cigarette receptacle information display of the
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a display unit of the assembly
shown in FIG. 2 with informational material and a shield being
inserted into a display frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0018] It should be further understood that the title of this
section of this specification, namely, "Detailed Description Of The
Invention," relates to a requirement of the United States Patent
Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the
subject matter disclosed herein.
[0019] In the present disclosure, the words "a" or "an" are to be
taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any
reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the
singular.
[0020] One specific embodiment of the invention pertains to a
cigarette receptacle and information display assembly that conceals
and extinguishes cigarette butts and other smoking refuse, while
also exposing the public to information, for example, advertising
information.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a
cigarette receptacle-information display unit assembly 10 of the
invention. A base 11 having a cavity 12 formed therein is coupled
to an upper portion 14. In one embodiment, a bucket 16 is
positioned within the cavity 12 and preferably includes sand or the
like. As is explained in greater detail below, the bucket 16
receives and extinguishes cigarettes butts and other smoking
refuse. In a preferred embodiment, the base 11 also includes a
security device 13, which may include, for example, a hook coupled
to a security cable 17, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.
[0022] The upper portion 14 may be coupled to the base 11 directly
or indirectly. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2, the upper
portion 14 may be directly coupled to the base 11 by base fasteners
15 so that the upper portion is removably attached to the base. By
being removably attached, the upper portion 14 may be removed from
the base 11 when the bucket 16 is filled with cigarette butts and
other smoking refuse. The bucket 16 can then be emptied and
reinserted in the cavity 12, and the upper portion 14 can then be
repositioned atop the base 11. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate that various fastening mechanisms may be used to couple
the base and upper portion together, such as male and female
threading on the upper portion and the base, nut and bolt
fasteners, clasp closures, screw fasteners and the like.
[0023] The upper portion 14 includes a cover 20, a neck 18 and an
elongated tube 22. As is explained in greater detail below, a crown
24 is positioned on the tube 22. The cover 20 covers the cavity 12
of the base 16 and is coupled to the neck 18, which in turn is
coupled to the hollow tube 22. The neck 18 and tube 22 preferably
form a passageway 26 therein, which is in communication with the
cavity 12. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2, the cover 20,
neck 18 and tube 22 are integral with each another and form a
unitary upper portion 14. Those of skill in the art appreciate
that, in other embodiments of the invention, the neck, cover and
tube may be connected to one another by various fastening
mechanisms, or may be formed of separate pieces or of different
material. Further, in other embodiments, the upper portion may
include a tube coupled to the cover and need not have a neck.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, an information display unit 28
configured to display informational materials 30 is operatively
coupled to the tube 22. The information display unit 28 can
include, for example, various product advertisements, menus, and
any other type of information that can be displayed. In this
manner, potential patrons of the establishment may be exposed to
various types of information that the establishment or building
wishes to display. Further, smoking patrons of the establishment
and/or workers in the building are exposed to the information while
smoking outside. As a result, the establishment or other entity can
generate additional revenue from others to display advertising
information on the display unit 28, or further promote its own
establishment or other products to passers-by.
[0025] The information display unit 28 may have various forms. For
example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the information display unit
28 includes three frames 32, each configured to house informational
materials 30. The three frames 32 can be connected to or may be
integral with three vertical display portions 34. The frames 32 and
the vertical display portions 34 may be integral with one another
to form a display unit body 35, which includes a cylindrical
receiving opening 36 formed therein. In addition to inserting
informational material 30 into the frames 32 (FIG. 3), information
may be printed on or affixed to the vertical displays 34--allowing
for increased display space. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2-3, the
information display unit 28' includes three frames 32 but does not
include the vertical displays 34 of FIG. 1.
[0026] The frames 32 shown in FIGS. 1-3 include upper and lower
troughs 39, 40 and a shield 42. The shield 42 is preferably
transparent to protect the informational material 30 while
permitting viewing thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, informational
material 30 and the shield 42 may be inserted into and held in
place between the troughs 39, 40. In a preferred embodiment shown
in FIG. 3, the lower trough 40 includes slots 44 formed therein so
that during precipitation, water does not collect in the lower
trough. The informational material 30 and shield 42 are removably
fastened to the information display unit 28 by fasteners 46 so that
the informational material cannot be tampered with, yet may still
be changed by authorized personnel when desired. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, screw fasteners 46 may be used to fasten the
informational material 30 and cover 42 to the display unit 28'.
Security-type screws or locking screws may be used.
[0027] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the display
unit 28 may also have other configurations. For example, the
display unit 28 may incorporate as little as one display frame to
as many as the tube can support. Further, the shape of the display
frame need not be rectangular, and in other embodiments it may be
circular, triangular or any other polygonal shape. In alternate
embodiments, the display unit 28 may include a light, such as an
LED or bulb, positioned within the display unit. The informational
materials may also be relatively thin or translucent and, as such,
the informational materials may be back-lit by the LED or bulb
positioned within the display unit 28. In yet other embodiments,
light sensors may be in communication with the lights so that when
there is sufficient ambient brightness, the light is not activated,
and when there is insufficient ambient brightness, the light is
activated. In addition, fastening mechanisms other than the
screw-type fasteners, such as nut and bolt fasteners, may be used
to fasten the cover and informational material to the display
unit.
[0028] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the display unit 28
may be coupled to the tube 22 by sliding the display unit onto the
tube 22 so that the tube is received in the tube receiving opening
36 of the display unit. Preferably, the height at which the
information display unit 28 appears may be adjusted by the use of a
collar 38. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the collar 38 may be slid
onto the tube 22 and may atop of the neck 18. The longer the collar
38, the greater the height of the information display unit 28.
Conversely, the shorter the collar 38, the lower the height of the
information display unit 28. The collar 38 preferably has a
diameter that is larger than that of the tube 22 but smaller than
that of the neck 18 so that the neck acts as a stop for the collar.
Note that in other embodiments not incorporating a neck, the collar
may have a diameter larger than that of the tube and rests atop the
cover of the upper portion.
[0029] The embodiment of FIG. 1 may incorporate a washer 41 that is
used in conjunction with the collar 38, such that the information
display unit 28 may rest atop the washer. The washer 41 not only
relieves some of the load from the information display unit 28, but
also facilitates spinning of the information display unit on the
tube 22. Note that in other embodiments, the information display
unit may sit atop the collar without the washer and, in such
embodiments, the information display unit may still spin relative
to the tube. In yet other embodiments, a display unit base may have
the same general shape as a planar cross-section of the display
unit body. For example, if the display unit has a triangular shape
when observed from a top view, the display unit base may also have
a triangular shape when observed from a top view. The display unit
sits atop the display unit base. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate that other modifications of the washer and display unit
base are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0030] The embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 may incorporate the crown 24
positioned atop of the tube 22. The crown 24 may include a bottom
periphery 45 that covers a top end of the tube and covers the
opening 50 of the tube. Preferably, the crown 24 includes lateral
apertures 48 formed therein, which are in communication with the
opening 50 to permit the smoking items to travel the length of the
tube 22 and into the bucket 16. The lateral apertures 48 may be
sufficiently large to accommodate cigarette butts, cigar butts and
other smoking refuse. As shown in the alternate embodiment of FIG.
2, the crown 24' may include a ring-like protruding periphery 54
similar in shape to an ashtray that smokers can rest their smoking
items thereon.
[0031] When smoking refuse is inserted into the lateral aperture
48, the smoking refuse passes through the tube opening 50 at the
top of the tube 22, down the passage way 26 and into the cavity 12,
it is extinguished and concealed. By incorporating a closed crown
24 with lateral openings 50, the crown desirably prevents water
from entering the tube passageway 26 during precipitation.
[0032] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, crown fasteners 52
removably attach the crown 24 to the tube 22. The crown fasteners
52 may include, for example, nut and bolt fasteners, screw
fasteners and the like. The crown 24 is positioned above the
display unit, and thus must be removed to permit removal of the
display unit 28, 28'. Because the crown 24, 24' is attached to the
tube 22 with fasteners 52, or other security-type fastening
devices, passers-by are prevented from casually removing the
display unit 28, 28' from the tube. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate that in other embodiments, a crown need not be
incorporated in the cigarette receptacle-display unit assembly.
Alternatively, the end of the tube may be closed and protrude above
the display unit and include an opening in a periphery of the tube
into which smokers may insert smoking refuse. In yet other
embodiments, a tube may simply include an opening at its upper
portion that remains uncovered. In such embodiments, the display
unit may also be removably attached to the tube with security
fasteners to prevent unauthorized removal.
[0033] In one specific embodiment, the cigarette
receptacle-information display assembly 10 is about 48" tall and is
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. In
another embodiment, the assembly 10 may be about 36" tall. Those of
skill in the art will appreciate that the assembly 10 can be of any
suitable dimension.
[0034] From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be made to the invention without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of
the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation
with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or
to be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover all such
modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *