U.S. patent application number 11/401967 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for smoking-waste receptacle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC. Invention is credited to Craig Demko, Thomas Perelli, Craig Rogers.
Application Number | 20060180590 11/401967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31499333 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060180590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perelli; Thomas ; et
al. |
August 17, 2006 |
Smoking-waste receptacle
Abstract
A smoking-waste receptacle includes a housing and a container
for receiving smoking waste and that can be inserted into and
removed from the housing. The container includes a removal opening
that permits removal of smoking waste deposited in the container
and a door movable relative to the removal opening and configured
to cover the removal opening when the container is disposed in the
housing. The container can include a container body and
flow-inhibiting structure disposed within the container body to
inhibit smoke from leaving the container body. The container can
includes a first wall extending substantially vertically, a first
insertion opening in the first wall that allows smoking waste to be
inserted into the container, and a first snuff member disposed
within the container and adjacent the first insertion opening at a
position that permits smoking waste that has been inserted into the
first insertion opening to be pushed against the first snuff
member.
Inventors: |
Perelli; Thomas;
(Winchester, VA) ; Demko; Craig; (Winchester,
VA) ; Rogers; Craig; (Winchester, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
LLC
|
Family ID: |
31499333 |
Appl. No.: |
11/401967 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10402985 |
Apr 1, 2003 |
7055714 |
|
|
11401967 |
Apr 12, 2006 |
|
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|
60401031 |
Aug 6, 2002 |
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60447708 |
Feb 19, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 19/0071 20130101;
A24F 19/00 20130101; A24F 19/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/576 |
International
Class: |
A24F 19/00 20060101
A24F019/00 |
Claims
1. A smoking-waste receptacle comprising: a container for receiving
smoking waste, wherein the container includes a first wall
extending substantially vertically, a first insertion opening in
the first wall that allows smoking waste to be inserted into the
container, and a first snuff member disposed within the container
and adjacent the first insertion opening at a position that permits
smoking waste that has been inserted into the first insertion
opening to be pushed against the first snuff member.
2. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first snuff
member includes a first plate extending substantially vertically
and being horizontally displaced relative to the first insertion
opening.
3. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 1, wherein the container
includes a second wall extending substantially vertically, a second
insertion opening in the second wall that allows smoking waste to
be inserted into the container, and a second snuff member disposed
within the container and adjacent the second insertion opening at a
position that permits smoking waste that has been inserted into the
second insertion opening to be pushed against the second snuff
member.
4. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 3, wherein the second
snuff member includes a second plate extending substantially
vertically and being horizontally displaced relative to the second
insertion opening.
5. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a
housing into which the container can be inserted and removed.
6. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 5, wherein the housing
includes a cone formed of plastic.
7. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 5, wherein the housing
includes a substantially hollow cone.
8. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 7, wherein the cone
includes at least one side wall and a distance between the side
wall and the container increases from a top toward a bottom of the
cone.
9. The smoking-waste receptacle of claim 5, wherein the housing
includes a cone having a message displaying surface on an exterior
portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a Divisional Application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/402,985, filed Apr. 1, 2003, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/401,031, filed Aug.
6, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/447,708, filed
Feb. 19, 2003, disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a smoking-waste receptacle
and, more particularly, to a smoking-waste receptacle having a
baffle system.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Smoking-waste receptacles are often provided in public
spaces so that smokers can dispose of smoking waste, e.g., lit
cigarettes or cigarette butts. conventional smoking-waste
receptacles have numerous shortcomings.
[0006] For example, a conventional smoking-waste receptacle
provides a bed of sand into which a smoker can insert a lit
cigarette to extinguish the cigarette. The smoking waste is then
left in the sand. Such smoking-waste receptacles are not highly
desirable because they require the servicer to bend over, take the
unit apart, and sift through the sand to remove the smoking waste.
This process can be unsanitary and time consuming. Also, the
process typically requires some type of accessory tool, which
results in increased costs. Also, the servicer may be required to
perform movements that are ergonomically undesirable.
[0007] Another conventional smoking-waste receptacle has a
container for receiving smoking waste, which is disposed within a
housing. The container may not extinguish the smoking waste as
expeditiously as desired. Also, tools may be needed to remove
smoking waste, which requires undesirable cost and effort. The
servicer may be required to perform movements that are
ergonomically undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An aspect of the present invention relates to a
smoking-waste receptacle including a housing and a container for
receiving smoking waste and that can be inserted into and removed
from the housing. The container includes a removal opening that
permits removal of smoking waste deposited in the container and a
door movable relative to the removal opening and configured to
cover the removal opening when the container is disposed in the
housing.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
smoking-waste receptacle including a housing and a container for
receiving smoking waste and that can be inserted into and removed
from the housing. The container includes a container body and
flow-inhibiting structure disposed within the container body to
inhibit smoke from leaving the container body.
[0010] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a
smoking-waste receptacle including a container for receiving
smoking waste. The container includes a first wall extending
substantially vertically, a first insertion opening in the first
wall that allows smoking waste to be inserted into the container,
and a first snuff member disposed within the container and adjacent
the first insertion opening at a position that permits smoking
waste that has been inserted into the first insertion opening to be
pushed against the first snuff member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the invention and together with the description,
serve to explain principles of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
smoking-waste receptacle according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view a housing and a portion of a
container of the smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a housing and a
portion of a container having an alternative configuration.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container of the
smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1 with a door in an open
position.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container of the
smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1 having the door in a closed
position.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front view of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a top member of the
smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 13 is cross-sectional view of the container of the
smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bottom of the container
of the smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the container of the
smoking-waste receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bottom of a container
having an alternative spring-locking mechanism.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the container with the
alternative spring-locking mechanism shown in FIG. 16.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
spring-locking mechanism of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
spring-locking mechanism of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
spring-locking mechanism of the container of the smoking-waste
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of a container showing
an alternative door.
[0033] FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container
of FIG. 21 with the door in an open position.
[0034] FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container
of FIG. 21 with the door in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to presently 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.
[0036] FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 to 15, and 18 to 20 show a first preferred
embodiment of a smoking-waste receptacle 10 according to the
present invention. In this embodiment, the smoking-waste receptacle
10 includes a housing 20, a support base 30, and a container 40 for
receiving smoking waste and that can be inserted into and removed
from the housing.
[0037] The housing 20 preferably supports the container 40 and can
provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The housing 20 can
be, for example, a four sided cone 21 having four side walls 22.
The cone 21 is preferably substantially hollow, which provides the
desirable feature of relatively light weight. In particular, the
distance between side walls 22 of the cone 21 and the container 40
preferably increases from a top toward a bottom of the cone 21 (see
FIG. 2). The housing 20 can be made of plastic that provides a
smooth surface that is easy to clean, and fade resistant. A
preferred plastic is high density polyethylene. When made of such
plastic, the housing 20 can be formed by injection molding.
[0038] The cone 21 can have a message displaying surface 23 on an
exterior portion, e.g. one of the side walls 22. The message
displaying surface 23 can be a substantially flat vertical side
that could allow for messages, such as, "No Smoking Beyond This
Point," or provide space for branding.
[0039] The housing 20 can have an access hole 24 at a top portion
25, preferably at the top center, to allow insertion of the
container 40. The access hole 24 has a rim 26 that grips an upper
portion of the container 40 when the container 40 is fully inserted
into the housing 20.
[0040] The support base 30 preferably assists in supporting both
the housing 20 and the container 40 and assists in maintaining them
in vertically upright positions. The support base 30 is preferably
made of metal. It also can be provided with weight(s) (not shown)
to enhance stability.
[0041] The container 40 provides a receptacle for smoking waste,
such as burning cigarettes. The container 40 is preferably made of
metal. It could, however, be made of plastics, fiberglass, or
another non-contributing material. The container 40 preferably
survives a fire long enough to snuff it out, but is durable enough
to survive impact testing.
[0042] The container 40 can be inserted into the access hole 24 in
the housing 20. See FIG. 3. A width of an upper portion 43 (see
FIG. 2) of the container 40 is preferably greater than a width of a
lower portion 44 of the container 40 such that the rim 26 does not
grip the lower portion 44 of the container 40 as the container 40
is inserted into the housing 20, but will grip the upper portion 43
when the container is fully inserted into the housing 20. The
tapering of the container 40 from a larger width to a smaller width
allows a door 70 (discussed below) sufficient clearance to pass
through the rim 26 of the access hole 24, while the rim 26 will
still snugly hold the top portion of the container 40 when it is
fully inserted into the housing 20. Alternatively, conventional
snap or twist lock (not shown) could be used to hold the container
40 in the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 4, a key 150 can be provided
on the container 40 that mates with a slot 151 on the housing 20 to
ensure that the container 40 is inserted only in a predetermined
orientation.
[0043] The container 40 can have a top member 41 and a container
body 45. The container 40 preferably has four side walls 46, i.e.,
first through fourth walls, that provide a substantially square
cross-sectional shape. The container could, however, have an
alternate cross-sectional shape, e.g., circular, rectangular, or
oval.
[0044] The top member 41 limits flow of fluid and other items into
and out of the container 40. The top member 41 can be made of, for
example, die cast aluminum. The top member 41 has at least one
insertion opening 42, which can be disposed on a wall 46 of the
container 40. There are preferably two insertion openings 42, i.e.,
first and second openings. The insertion opening 42 permits smoking
waste to be deposited within the container 40, while limiting fluid
flow. The insertion opening 42 is preferably large enough that
burning materials can be deposited, yet small enough to limit the
amount of smoke (from burning materials deposited in the container
40) that can exit the container 40. Preferably the insertion
opening has a circular shape with a diameter in the range of
approximately 0.75 to 1.75 inches (an area of approximately 0.4 to
2.4 square inches) and more preferably a diameter in the range of
approximately 1.0 to 1.5 inches (an area of approximately 0.8 to
1.8 square inches).
[0045] A snuff member 48 can be disposed within the container 40
(see FIG. 11). There are preferably two snuff members 48, i.e.,
first and second snuff members. For example, the snuff member 48
can be a plate 49 extending substantially vertically and being
horizontally displaced relative to the insertion opening 42. The
snuff member 48 can be disposed adjacent the insertion opening 42
at a position (e.g., approximately one inch from the opening) that
inhibits flow of fluid through the container 40 and that permits
smoking waste that has been inserted into the insertion opening 42
to be pushed against the snuff member 48.
[0046] The container body 45 preferably has four side walls 46 and
a bottom wall 47. The container body 45 can be made, for example,
from sheet metal formed into a desired shape and joined at a seam.
The container body 45 can be joined to the top member 41 by, for
example, rivets (not shown).
[0047] Flow-inhibiting structure 50 can be disposed within the
container body 45 and configured to inhibit smoke from leaving the
container body 45 (see FIGS. 2, 12, and 13). The trapped smoke can
reduce oxygen in the container body 45 and thus can assist in
extinguishing burning materials within the container body 45. The
flow-inhibiting structure 50 preferably includes a first baffle 51
projecting from a first interior surface of the container body 45
and a second baffle 52 below the first baffle and projecting from a
second interior surface of the container body 45. The first baffle
51 and the second baffle 52 project in opposite directions. The
first and second baffles 51, 52 may each be formed as generally
U-shaped members including side walls that connect to the container
body 45 by, for example, spot welding, and a plate 53, 54 that
extends downward and at an angle .alpha. within the range of
30.degree. to 50.degree., more preferably about 45.degree.,
relative to the corresponding one of the first and second interior
surfaces of the container body 45. Though the plates 53, 54 are
generally square shaped, they have arcuate cut outs 55, 56 that
provide space between the plates 533, 54 and the side walls 46 to
permit smoking waste to fall toward the bottom wall 47 of the
container body 45. The area of each of the plates 53, 54 is
preferably within the range of 7 to 9 square inches. The angles,
number of baffles 51, 52 and size of the baffles 51, 52 can be
altered from those shown in the drawings.
[0048] The container 40 can include a removal opening 60 (see FIG.
5) in one or more of the walls 46 of the container 40. The removal
opening 60 permits removal of smoking waste deposited in the
container 40. When the container 40 is disposed in the housing 20,
the removal opening 60 can be covered by the door 70 to prevent the
smoking waste from leaking from the container 40.
[0049] The door 70 can be movable relative to the removal opening
60 to provide access to smoking waste within the container body 45
so that the container 40 can be emptied. The door 70 preferably is
slidably connected to the container body 45 to move between an open
position and a closed position. More preferably, the door 70 is
configured to slide from the open position to the closed position
under the force of gravity when the container 40 is in an
orientation in which the container 40 can be inserted into the
housing 20. A pin 61, such as a rivet, projects from the container
body 45 and extends into a receiving slot 71 in the door 70. The
pin-in-slot connection slidably connects the door 70 to the
container body 45. Pins 73, such as rivets, on the door 70 project
inwardly and slidably engage walls 46 of the container body 45
around the opening 60 to assist in positioning the door 70 relative
to the container body 45. Edges 74 of the door 70 wrap around
corners of the container body 45 to further assist in positioning
the door 70 on the container body 45 and closing the removal
opening 60.
[0050] A spring-latch mechanism 80 is configured to maintain the
door in the closed position. The spring-latch mechanism 80 includes
a spring 81 that extends into an engaging portion 75 (preferably a
hole) of the door 70 when the door 70 is in the closed position.
The spring 81 is preferably connected to a wall 46 of the container
body 45 by, for example, spot welding. The spring 81 automatically
engages the engaging portion 75 of the door 70 when the door 70 is
in the closed position. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20,
as the door 70 drops toward the closed position its leading edge
engages a sloped portion 82 of the spring 81, causing the spring 81
to retract. After the door 70 reaches the closed position where it
abuts a bent portion of the bottom wall 47, the spring 81 extends
into the engaging portion 75 of the door 70 (see FIG. 20). As shown
in FIGS. 14 and 15, the spring 81 can be pushed in the direction of
the arrow out of engagement with the engaging portion 75 such that
the door 70 can be moved to the open position. When the spring 81
is pushed out of engagement, a pin 66, such as a rivet, projecting
from the bottom wall 47 prevents the spring 81 from being over
compressed.
[0051] FIGS. 16 and 17 show an alternative embodiment of the
spring-latch mechanism 80. In this embodiment, the spring 181
extends into engaging portions 175 formed on edges 74 of door
70.
[0052] FIGS. 21 to 23 show an alternative embodiment of the door
170. In this embodiment, the door 170 is pivotally connected to the
retainer body 45 by a conventional hinge 178 to move between an
open position and a closed position. Edges 174 of the door 170 wrap
around corners of the container body 45 to further assist in
positioning the door 170 on the container body 45 and closing the
removal opening 60.
[0053] A locking mechanism 180 can be used to hold the door 170 in
the closed position. The locking mechanism 180 has an interference
portion 181 that engages a corresponding portion 149 of the
container 40 to hold the door 170 in the closed position due to
engagement. A handle 182 is connected to the locking mechanism 180
such that pressure on the handle 182 biases the interference
portion 181 toward a position of reduced engagement between the
interference portion 181 and the portion 149 of the container 40 to
permit the door 170 to be moved to the open position. When the door
170 is closed, pulling the handle 182 allows the interference
portion to be pulled over the portion 149 of the container body 45
and thus permits the door 170 to be opened. The door 170 can be
closed by reversing the procedure.
[0054] In this embodiment, handle 182 extends below the bottom wall
47 of the container body 45 so as to not interfere with insertion
of the container 40 into the housing 20. The container 40 is
configured such that the door 170 must be in the closed position to
permit insertion of the container 40 into the housing 20, which
enhances fire safety.
[0055] As described below, there are significant advantages that
can be realized by the embodiments set forth above. Of course, it
is not necessary for the invention to achieve all or any of these
advantages.
[0056] The present invention permits configuring a device that
allows for the removal of the smoking waste without ergonomically
unfriendly efforts, such as bending over. The servicer can, while
standing upright, remove the container 40 from the housing 20 and
open the door 70, 170. The door 70, 170 can be open by a relatively
simple motion, and more difficult motions, such as an unscrewing
motion, are not necessary. The present invention thus may minimizes
the purchaser's medical costs by using this ergonomic design (no
bending or twisting motion).
[0057] The present invention also allows for the removal of smoking
waste without any accessory tools (e.g., buckets, sand sifters,
screw drivers, and allen wrenches). Thus, the cost and effort
associated with accessory tools is eliminated. Also, the time
needed to remove the smoking waste can be reduced, which may result
in decreased expenses.
[0058] The design permits servicing without touching unsanitary
portions of the ashtray. The servicer merely flips open the access
door. The area contacted by the servicer's hand, i.e., an outer
surface on the door, is not exposed to the contents of the
container 40. Thus, the risk of cross contamination is greatly
reduced.
[0059] The present invention also can be configured to reduce the
likelihood of spills, which would require secondary cleaning. For
example, even with the access door 70, 170 open, the contents can
be contained while moving the container 40 to a larger fire safe
disposal containment unit.
[0060] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the arts from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.
* * * * *