EP2252170A1

EP2252170A1 - Cigarette butt disposal unit

Info

Publication number: EP2252170A1
Application number: EP09705396A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ray Hanson; Darren Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-29
Filing date: 2009-01-21
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Also published as: GB0901029D0; WO2009095642A1; GB2457150A; GB0801584D0

Abstract

A cigarette disposal unit is provided which comprises: a backing frame (2) formed with one of a first or second element of a releaseable connection; a disposable collection chamber (4) for receiving used butts and formed with the other of the first or second element of the releaseable connection; wherein the collection chamber can be releaseably mounted on the backing frame so that it is removeable from the backing frame for disposal and replacement. The unit is used by releaseably mounting a first empty collection chamber on the backing frame via the releaseable connection; filling the collection chamber with cigarette butts via at least one hole (44) in at least one wall of the collection chamber; and the periodically, for example when the collection chamber is full; removing the collection chamber from the backing frame; disposing of the collection chamber in a waste receptacle; and releaseably mounting a second empty collection chamber on the backing frame.

Description

Cigarette Butt Disposal Unit

The present invention relates to a cigarette butt disposal unit.

There is a growing trend of organisations, including pubs, restaurants, shops and other businesses, forbidding the smoking of tobacco products, such as cigarettes and cigars, on their premises. In some countries it is now illegal for such companies to allow smoking on their premises. This has led to more smoking in an area outside of such premises, for example, either in a designated outdoor smoking area or by the entrance to the premises. The problem arises that smokers outside of such premises must dispose of their cigarette or cigar butts. Because such butts are still potentially alight when they are disposed of, it is not generally advisable for smokers to dispose of their butts in waste bins, due to the risk of fire.

Where no cigarette disposal units are provided, smokers throw their used cigarette butts onto the floor, causing unsightly littering and requiring organisations to clear up the butts. To avoid this problem some organisations provide dedicated cigarette disposal units, in an area outside where smoking occurs, into which potentially alight butts can be deposited. Available cigarette disposal units must be emptied regularly and to facilitate this most such units have a collection chamber in which the butts are collected. The individual emptying the cigarette disposal unit accesses the collection chamber, for example, by opening a door to the unit using a dedicated key. The individual then empties the butts from the collection chamber into another vessel and optionally cleans the collection chamber. This can be an unpleasant and dirty job, exposing the individual to used butts and ash, which may be damp if it has rained recently or which may disperse in the wind.

The present invention aims to overcome this problem.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cigarette disposal unit, comprising: a backing frame, for example a rigid backing frame, and formed with one of a first or second element of a releaseable connection; a disposable collection chamber for receiving used butts and formed with the other of the first or second element of the releaseable connection; wherein the collection chamber can be releaseably mounted on the backing frame so that it is removeable from the backing frame for disposal and replacement. The disposal unit is used by; releaseably mounting a first empty collection chamber on the backing frame via the releaseable connection; filling the collection chamber with cigarette butts via at least one hole in at least one wall of the collection chamber. Then periodically, for example when the collection chamber is full; removing the collection chamber from the backing frame; disposing of the collection chamber in a waste receptacle; and releaseably mounting a second empty collection chamber on the backing frame. This arrangement makes disposing of used cigarette butts a cleaner and simpler process, as the person changing the used collection chamber for an empty one does not come into contact with the cigarette butts.

The backing frame may be fixable to an outside wall. Alternatively, the backing frame may be fixable to or formed integrally with a free-standing stand arrangement, or may be fixable to or formed integrally with a waste receptacle. In this case, the method of use of the disposal unit may include an initial step of mounting the backing frame on a support surface and the support surface may be an external wall, or may be part of a free-standing stand arrangement or a waste receptacle

The backing frame may be moulded from a mouldable thermoplastic, thermoset plastic material, metal or treated wood. In particular, it may be moulded in a single piece from a simple two part mould.

The first element of the releaseable connection may form a rail of a slideable rail and groove connection and the second element may define a groove of the slideable rail and groove connection. Using a slideable rail and groove connection means that the backing plate may be formed as a single piece. Alternative releaseable connections are know in the art, for example, a snap fit connections or a connection in which the frame has two parts which are hingedly connected and in which the collection chamber may be releaseably trapped between the two parts of the frame.

The collection chamber may have walls formed from a non-flammable metal foil. The metal foil may be a good conductor of heat and so helps to prevent fires occurring in the collection chamber when a butt is placed in it, which has not been properly extinguished. The metal foil may be aluminium foil which is readily available and easily formed into a chamber and also has the advantage of being recyclable.

Where the collection chamber is slideably mounted vertically, from above, on the backing frame, the backing frame may additionally comprise an abutment, located below the slideable connection for supporting the collection chamber when the collection chamber is mounted on the backing frame.

At least one of the walls of the chamber may be formed with at least one through hole via which a cigarette butt can be passed into the collection chamber. Also, at least one of the walls of the chamber may be formed with a region of corrugations. In this case, the or each region of corrugations is located adjacent an edge of the corresponding wall, which edge lies adjacent to the backing frame when the collection chamber is mounted on the backing frame. The/or each region of corrugations provides an area of chamber wall which is strengthened and can be used for stubbing out cigarettes without unduly deforming the chamber.

The collection chamber may be formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid, mounted on the backing frame with the base of the pyramid adjacent the frame. This shape adds strength to the collection chamber and helps prevent undue deformation, particular where the chamber walls are made from a metal foil. To add further strength at least some of the edges at adjacent walls of the collection chamber may be convexly bowed.

The slideable connection may be formed by forming the backing plate so as to define a pair of opposing grooves and by a pair of opposing rails formed on the collection chamber. This provides a convenient way of mounting and dismounting the collection chamber from the backing frame.

The collection chamber may be formed from a tray chamber formed with an opening and a backing sheet for fitment to the tray chamber so as to close the opening of tray chamber. This arrangement simplifies manufacture of the collection chamber and if the backing sheet is fitted to the tray chamber by the end user, enables efficient stacking of the tray chambers. Stacking of the tray chambers reduces the space required to store and transport them and helps prevent damage to the tray chambers during transportation and storage. The collection chamber may then be formed, for example by an end user, by fitting a backing sheet over the opening in the tray chamber.

A rim may be formed around the opening when the backing sheet and the tray chamber are fitted together such that opposing edges of the rim form a pair of rails of the slideable connection. Thus, connection of the backing sheet to the tray chamber may conveniently form the rails of the slideable connection.

Again for strength, the tray chamber may be formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid with the opening at the base of the pyramid. In this case, the backing sheet may be located between the tray chamber and the backing frame when the collection chamber is mounted on the backing frame.

One of the backing sheet or the tray chamber may comprise a standard rim and the other of the of the backing sheet or the tray chamber may comprise a foldable rim, in which case the tray chamber and backing sheet may be fitted together by folding the foldable rim over the standard rim so as to form a composite rim such that opposing edges of the composite rim form a pair of rails of the slideable connection. This is a particularly useful arrangement when the walls of the tray chamber and the backing sheet are formed from a malleable metal foil, as the malleability of the foil securely fixes the foldable rim over the standard rim. The collection chamber may be formed, for example by an end user, by placing the backing sheet over the opening in the tray chamber; and folding the foldable rim over the standard rim so as to form a composite rim.

The backing sheet may comprise a substantially planar surface formed with at least one convex channel, to add strength to the backing sheet.

The cigarette disposal unit described above may be supplied to an end user in a package comprising: at least one and not more than several backing frames; at least twenty five tray chambers for each backing frame; and a backing sheet for each tray chamber. This provides the end user with a desired number of backing frames for location as desired at the end user's premises. It further supplies a number of replacement collections chambers, which the end user may form from the tray chambers and backing sheets.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a backing plate of the cigarette disposal unit of Figure 6;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a tray chamber of the collection chamber of the cigarette disposal unit of Figure 6;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a backing sheet of the collection chamber of the cigarette disposal unit of Figure 6;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the tray chamber of Figure 2 located on top of the backing sheet of Figure 3, with the rim of the backing sheet exposed;

Figure 5a shows a plan view of the collection chamber of the cigarette disposal unit of Figure 6;

Figure 5b shows a transverse cross-section through line AA of the collection chamber of Figure 5a; Figure 5c shows a perspective view of the collection chamber of Figure 5a;

Figure 6 shows a cigarette disposal unit with the collection chamber of Figure 5a mounted on the backing plate of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7a shows a longitudinal cross-section through line BB of the backing plate of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7b shows a transverse cross-section through line CC of the backing plate of figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a longitudinal cross section though line EE of the collection chamber of Figure 5a;

Figure 9a shows the cigarette disposal unit of Figure 6 fixed to an external wall;

Figure 9b shows the cigarette disposal unit with an alternative back plate formed integrally or fixed to a free-standing stand arrangement; and

Figure 9c shows the cigarette disposal unit with an alternative back plate fixed to or formed integrally with a waste receptacle.

The cigarette disposal unit of Figure 6 comprises a backing plate (2) and a disposable cigarette butt collection chamber (4).

The backing plate (2), shown in more detail in Figures 1 , 7a and 7b, is made of a rigid material and is designed to be fixed to an external wall of a building (60), see Figure 9a. Alternatively, the back plate (2') may be formed so as to fit to or be an integral part of a free-standing stand arrangement (62), as shown in Figure 9b. In a further alternative, the back plate (2") may be formed so as to fit to or be an integral part of a waste receptacle (64), such as a public rubbish or garbage bin, as shown in figure 9c. The backing plate, in particular as shown in Figure 1 , has a planar main body (16) formed with three holes (6) through which fixing elements, for example, screws, can be passed, which screws can be secured in corresponding holes formed, for example in the external wall (60). Other fixing methods, known in the art can be used to fix the backing plate (2) to an external wall. The backing plate may be made of a mouldable thermoplastic or thermoset plastic material, metal or treated wood. For example, the backing plate may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or high impact polystyrene (HIPS), in particular flame resistant ABS.

The planar main body (16) of the backing plate (2) of Figures 1 and 9a is defined by an upper rounded edge (8) a lower straight edge (10) and opposing side edges (12). The backing plate (2) has a pair of opposing side bars (14), each spaced forwardly of a portion of an associated opposing side edge (12) so that each side bar (14) defines a longitudinal groove (15) (See Figures 7a and 7b) between the bar and the associated side edge (12) of the planar main body (16). A bottom abutment (18) is located below the side bars (14) and extends between the side edges (12) of the planar main body (16) and is spaced forwardly from the planar main body (16). The bottom abutment (18) defines a transverse groove (19) (See Figure 7a) between the bottom abutment (18) and the lower edge (10) of the planar main body (16). In this way, the planar main body (16), side bars (14) and bottom abutment (18) can be mounded in one piece, using a two part mould.

The disposable cigarette butt collection chamber (4), is shown in more detail in Figures 5a to 5c, and comprises an open tray chamber (20) and a backing sheet (22), each formed from a heat conducting, inflammable, malleable metal foil, for example aluminium foil, having a thickness of between 0.05mm and 0.2mm, and in particular 0.1mm.

The open tray chamber (20) is shown in Figure 2 and is made of a sheet of metal foil pressed into the shape of a truncated pyramid. The tray has an open face corresponding to the base of the truncated pyramid, which open face is surrounded by an outwardly extending rim (30). Thus, the tray has a top surface (32), a pair of long opposing isosceles trapezoid side surfaces (34) and a pair of short opposing isosceles trapezoid end faces (upper and lower) (36). The surface area of the top surface (32) is preferably less than 10 to 40%, preferably 20%, of the surface area of the open face (the base of the truncated pyramid). The edges of the side surfaces (34) remote from the top surface are terminated by side edges (24) having a similar length to the side edges (12) of the backing plate (2) (for, example, 216mm). The edges of the end surfaces (36) remote from the top surface (32) are terminated by upper and lower edges (26) having a length similar to the spacing between the pair of bars (14) (for example, 111mm). Thus, the side edges (24) of the truncated pyramid are longer than the upper and lower edges (26). The edges of the truncated pyramid lie in a common plane and the rim (30) extends outwardly of the side edges, the end edges and the corners of the base of the truncated pyramid. Thus, the rim (30) is substantially rectangular in shape, with the outer edge of the rim having a length of, for example, 227mm, and a width of, for example, 124.5mm. The height of the top surface (32) above the base of the pyramid may be, for example, 52.5mm.

As best shown in Figure 8, the upper end surface (36a) of the truncated pyramid shaped tray chamber (20) is formed with a series of corrugations (38), with the apexes of each corrugation extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper edge (26). One cycle (d) of corrugation may have a length of around 65mm. These corrugations are formed across corrugated region (40) shaped substantially as an isosceles trapezium. The region (40) has an upper region edge (40a) adjacent the upper edge (26) and a lower region edge (40b) separated from the top surface (32) by a planar region (42). The corrugated region (40) provides a strengthened region of the foil tray (20) on which a cigarette or cigar can be stubbed out, without adversely deforming the tray. The strength of the corrugated region is further enhanced by its location close to the upper edge (26).

As best shown in Figure 2, the tray (20) is formed with four convex interface surfaces (46), each of which joins a side surface (34) and an adjacent end surface (36). Each convex interface surface extends as a strip (46) between a corner of the top surface (32) and an associated corner of the rim (30). The width of each strip is approximately 11mm. Similarly, the tray (20) is formed with four additional convex interface surfaces (50), labelled in Figures 4 and 8), each of which joins an edge of the top surface (32) with an adjoining edge of one of the side or end surfaces (34, 36). Each additional convex interface surface extends as a strip (50) along an edge of the rectangular top surface (32). Each strip (46, 50) bows convexly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (48, 52) of the strip. As is best shown in Figure 8, the convex interface surfaces (46, 50) bow outwardly of the collection chamber.

The truncated pyramid shape of the tray chamber (20), the corrugated region (40) of the tray chamber and the convex interface surfaces (46, 50), in combination with the thickness of the metal foil, together contribute to add strength to the tray chamber (20). This helps to prevent the tray chamber (20) from deforming more than an acceptable amount during use of the collection chamber (4).

The backing sheet (22), shown in Figure 3, has a substantially rectangular planar central section (54) shaped and dimensioned to cover and enclose the rim (30) of the tray (20). The backing sheet (22) is also formed with a foldable rim (52), which extends around the planar central section (54). To add strength to the backing sheet (22), the planar central section (54) is formed with a pair of crossing convex channels (56), with each channel (56) extending in a diagonal direction between corners of the backing sheet (22).

In order to form the collection chamber (4), the tray (20) is placed rim (30) downwardly on the planar backing sheet (22) so that the rim (30) of the tray fits within the foldable rim (52) of the backing sheet. The foldable rim (52) of the backing sheet (22) is then folded over the rim (30) of the tray (20), as shown in Figure 8, so as to fix the backing sheet to the tray so as to form the collection chamber (4). The collection chamber (4) thus has a composite rim (60) formed by the rim (30) of the tray (20) with the foldable rim (52) of the backing sheet (22) folded over it. The composite rim (60) is substantially rectangular in shape with a pair of long side edges (62) and a pair of short (upper and lower) edges (64).

The top surface (32) of the tray chamber (20) is formed, towards its upper end, with a through hole (44) via which a cigarette or cigar butt can be placed within the collection chamber (4). The hole may be substantially oval in shape with a long axis of around 30mm and a short axis of around 20mm.

The collection chamber (4) is then fitted to the backing plate (2), by registering the bottom ends of the side edges (62) of the composite rim (60) with the upper ends of the opposing grooves (15) defined by the pair of bars (14) of the backing plate (2) and then sliding the side edges (62) of the composite rim (60) downwards along the grooves (15), ie. sliding the composite rim (60) underneath the bars (14), until the lower edge (64a) of the composite rim (60) comes to rest in the groove (19) defined by the abutment (18). In this way the collection chamber (14) is slideably mounted onto and supported by the backing plate, as shown in Figure 6. The collection chamber (4) can be removed from the backing plate (2) by sliding the collection chamber upwardly until the composite rim (60) is released from the bars (14).

The cigarette butt disposal unit described above can be supplied as a package comprising several backing plates (2), associated sets of fixing elements for each backing plate and a relatively large number (at least twenty five for each backing plate) of tray chambers (20) and a corresponding large number of backing sheets (22). The trays (20) can be stacked in order to conserve space during storage and transportation and to protect the trays against deformation. Instead of backing plates (2) fixable to a wall, the packing may include one or more backing plates (2', 2"), possibly including associated stands (62) or receptacles (64).

On receiving the package a user can then fix one or more backing plates (2) to exterior walls of their premises using the fixing elements provided. The user forms a collection chamber (4) for each backing plate using a backing sheet (22) and a tray chamber (20) and fixing them together by folding the foldable rim (52) of the backing sheet over the rim (30) of the tray. The collection chamber (4) can then be slideably mounted on the backing plate (2) by sliding the composite rim (60) beneath the bars (15) of the backing plate (2), until the lower edge (64a) of the composite rim (60) comes to rest in the groove (19) defined by the bottom abutment (18) of the backing plate, with the corrugated region (40) upper most.

Smokers can then smoke their cigarettes or cigars outside of the premises, stub them out on the corrugated region (40) and then place the butt into the chamber (4) via the through hole (44). The non-flammable and heat conducting characteristics of the metal foil used to make the collection chamber (4) ensures that any alight cigarette butts will not start a fire within the chamber.

Then when the chamber is full of butts, for example daily, the collection chamber (4) can be removed from the backing plate (2) and replaced with a new collection chamber, formed from a fresh tray chamber (20) and backing sheet (22) from the package. The chamber full of butts can then be disposed of in a bin at the premises, without a user having to come into contact with the used cigarette butts. Where the chamber is formed of aluminium foil, the user has the opportunity of recycling the chamber using a local waste recycling service.

Claims

1. A cigarette disposal unit, comprising: a backing frame formed with one of a first or second element of a releaseable connection; a disposable collection chamber for receiving used butts and formed with the other of the first or second element of the releaseable connection; wherein the collection chamber can be releaseably mounted on the backing frame so that it is removeable from the backing frame for disposal and replacement.

2. A disposal unit according to claim 1 wherein the backing frame is moulded from a thermoplastic or a thermoset plastic material.

3. A disposal unit according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the collection chamber has walls formed from a non-flammable metal foil.

4. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding clams wherein the first element forms a rail of a slideable rail and groove connection and the second element defines a groove of the rail and groove connection.

5. A disposal unit according to claim 4 wherein the collection chamber is slideably mounted vertically, from above, on the backing frame and the backing frame additionally comprises an abutment, located below the slideable connection for supporting the collection chamber when the collection chamber is mounted on the backing frame.

6. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the walls of the chamber is formed with at least one through hole via which a cigarette butt can be passing into the collection chamber.

7. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the walls of the chamber is formed with a region of corrugations.

8. A disposal unit according to claim 7 wherein the or each region of corrugations is located adjacent an edge of the corresponding wall, which edge lies adjacent to the backing frame when the collection chamber is mounted on the backing frame.

9. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the collection chamber is formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid and is mounted on the backing frame with the base of the pyramid adjacent the frame.

10. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least some of the edges at adjacent walls of the collection chamber are convexly bowed.

11. A disposal unit according to claim 4 wherein the backing frame is formed to define a pair of opposing grooves and a pair of opposing rails are formed on the collection chamber.

12. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the collection chamber is formed from a tray chamber formed with an opening and a backing sheet for fitment to the tray chamber so as to close the opening of tray chamber.

13. A disposal unit according to claim 11 wherein a rim is formed around the opening when the tray chamber backing sheet and the tray chamber are fitted together such that opposing edges of the rim form a pair of rails of the slideable connection.

14. A disposal unit according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the tray chamber is formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid with the opening at the base of the pyramid.

15. A disposal unit according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the backing sheet is located between the tray chamber and the backing frame when the collection chamber is mounted on the backing frame.

16. A disposal unit according to claim 12, when dependent on claim 11 wherein one of the backing sheet or the tray chamber comprises a standard rim and the other of the of the backing sheet or the tray chamber comprises a foldable rim and the tray chamber and backing sheet are fitted together by folding the foldable rim over the standard rim so as to form a composite rim such that opposing edges of the composite rim form a pair of rails of the slideable connection.

17. A disposal unit according to and one of claims 12 to 15 wherein walls of at least one of the tray chamber and the backing sheet are formed from a malleable metal foil.

18. A disposal unit according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the backing sheet comprises a substantially planar surface formed with at least one convex channel.

19. A disposal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the backing plate is fixable to an outside wall.

20. A disposal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the backing plate is part of a free-standing stand arrangement.

21. A package comprising: at least one and not more than several backing frames according to claim 1; at least twenty five tray chambers according to claim 12 for each backing frame; and a backing sheet according to claim 12 for each tray chamber.

22. A method of using a disposal unit or package according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising the steps of: releaseably mounting a first empty collection chamber on the backing frame via the releaseable connection; filling the collection chamber with cigarette butts via at least one hole in at least one wall of the collection chamber; periodically removing the collection chamber from the backing frame; disposing of the collection chamber in a waste receptacle; and releaseably mounting a second empty collection chamber on the backing frame.

23. A method according to claim 22 for use in relation to the disposal unit of claim 12, comprising the additional steps of forming a collection chamber by fitting a backing sheet over the opening in the tray chamber.

24. A method according to claim 23 for use in relation to the disposal unit of claim 16 wherein the step of fitting a backing sheet over the opening in the tray chamber comprises the steps of: placing the backing sheet over the opening in the tray chamber; and folding the foldable rim over the standard rim so as to form a composite rim.