EP3095734B1 - Device for the disposal of chewing gum - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for disposing of used chewing gum according to the preamble of claim 1.

Chewing gum is very popular in Germany, especially since chewing gum tastes good and freshens breath. So it is not surprising that every German citizen uses almost 100 sticks of chewing gum per year.

However, commercial chewing gum is not biodegradable and poses a major problem for many municipalities and cleaning staff if it is carelessly disposed of. If chewing gum is simply thrown away, it usually sticks to the street, clothing, shoes, etc. Up to 80 spit-out pieces of chewing gum can stick to one square meter of street, and German municipalities spend around 900 million euros a year to remove them. So it is not surprising that more and more cities are being fined for spitting out chewing gum.

In order to counteract the problem of careless and/or incorrect disposal of chewing gum, the current state of the art offers a number of proposed solutions.

For example, beats Marcus Sonntag in his diploma thesis (ISBN 978-3-941846-01-2 ) presented various attention-grabbing communication concepts for communities plagued by chewing gum, such as a poster or a campaign for the road surface. A disadvantage of such communication concepts, however, is that the chewing gum consumers are only encouraged to reconsider the disposal and/or to carry it out correctly. However, a specific device for disposing of chewing gum that is no longer needed is not provided.

Devices for disposing of chewing gum are already known from the prior art, such as the special chewing gum waste container Gum Catcher. The gum catcher is easy to mount on a wall and/or post due to its compact size. The disadvantage, however, is that it can easily be overlooked due to its compact size, which is adapted for the disposal of chewing gum, so that chewing gum is nevertheless disposed of improperly.

The same applies to the one in the British publication GB 2 337 195 A disclosed waste bins for used chewing gum.

The device disclosed in this patent application corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.

There is therefore a great need for a device for disposing of chewing gum which can be attached over a large area, for example on and/or in front of a wall. In addition, the device should encourage consumers to no longer dispose of chewing gum on the floor, but rather in and/or on this device.

The Spanish utility model specification ES 1071404 U describes a vertically erected panel supported by two feet, which has an exchangeable panel on the front for attaching used chewing gum. Below the panel is firmly attached to the container open at the top for catching and collecting any chewing gum that may come loose from the panel.

The disadvantages of this device are the lack of suitability for attachment to a wall, the large space requirement, the low resistance to vandalism and, above all, the cumbersome cleaning of the collection container, since chewing gum must be removed from it individually by hand.

In the international publication WO 2008/117071 A1 various embodiments of devices for collecting and catching chewing gum are also proposed, one of which has a closed body comprising assembled sides, bottom and top and a container which protrudes below only on a front side and is firmly connected to the body for catching falling chewing gum.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for disposing of chewing gum so as to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties. A device of this type therefore offers the advantage that new contamination by chewing gum is reliably avoided, so that the costs for cleaning and/or removal are also drastically reduced.

This object is solved by the device for disposing of chewing gum with the features of the independent claim.

A device for disposing of chewing gum is proposed, which comprises a body with a device arranged at the front and a container for storing, storing, collecting and/or keeping chewing gum.

The term "device for disposing of used chewing gum" means an apparatus which is set up to glue and/or pick up chewing gum which is no longer required on a device which is arranged on the front side of a body. For this purpose, in the most general case, the device has a body and a container.

The term "body" means the assembled sides, bottom and top of the device, which is fully and/or partially closed. A closed body offers the advantage that no chewing gum or other rubbish can get into its interior and/or be disposed of in this way.

When disposing of chewing gum in particular, it is important that the body is made of a stable, weather-resistant, non-stick, fire-retardant and/or non-combustible material. In this regard, for example, a metallic material, a plastic or a mixture thereof is conceivable. In addition, it is conceivable that the surface of the body is covered with a layer in order to positively influence its surface properties.

The geometric shape of the basic shape of the body is of secondary importance for the realization of the invention. The body of the device can also be of any size, width and height. The body preferably has a height, width and depth adapted to the place of use and/or the target group.

In order to ensure the disposal of chewing gum, the body has a frontally arranged device which is suitable for receiving used chewing gum. A device of this type is understood to be any means on which used chewing gum can be glued or on which chewing gum is adhered. For this purpose, the device is provided with a layer towards the front, ie in the direction pointing away from the body, which is of the desired texture and which consequently allows a used chewing gum to be glued at least temporarily. It is therefore necessary for the chewing gum to adhere to this layer. Within the scope of the invention, it is basically free if the chewing gum adheres to the layer permanently, ie indefinitely, or that the chewing gum only adheres for a limited time, and then ie after a certain time, for example during a drying process of sufficient duration to fall off the layer again and then get into the container to be picked up there. such Cases are described by the "at least temporarily" feature of claim 1.

The material and the nature of the layer are basically arbitrary, provided that the functional requirements, namely that at least the temporary adhesion of used chewing gum to the layer, are met.

In the context of the invention, it has been recognized as essential that the device is securely attached to the front of the body. In this way, the device is protected against improper use, unwanted theft and/or vandalism.

The term "container" means an object, such as a container or vessel, which has a volume for storing, storing, collecting and/or keeping it inside. The container is preferably used for storing, storing, collecting and/or storing chewing gum, in particular chewing gum that is no longer needed. In particular, this object serves the purpose of separating its content, i.e. the chewing gum, from its environment in order to dispose of it easily, quickly and/or without problems.

In the context of the invention, it is important that the container is open at the top. Depending on the place of use and/or intended use, it is conceivable that the wall of the container is partially or completely closed and/or perforated.

It has been recognized as essential to the invention that the container is arranged below the device and designed to protrude forward. This is the only way to ensure that chewing gum falling off and/or from the device is caught in the container and thus stored, stored, collected and/or kept in it.

In addition, it proves to be advantageous if the container is made of a stable, weather-resistant, low-adhesion, fire-retardant and/or non-combustible material. In this regard, for example, a metallic material, a plastic or a mixture thereof is conceivable. In addition, it is conceivable that the inner surface of the container is coated with a layer in order to positively influence its surface properties.

A "Target Audience" means a specific group and/or set of Users who are related by specific characteristics, characteristics and/or behaviors. Any type of group can be considered as a target group, in addition to consumers also adults, as well as children or adolescents.

The definitions and implementations of the above terms are assumed to apply to all aspects described below in this specification, unless otherwise specified. Advantageous developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device is aligned essentially vertically, so that the device can be operated equally by all users, regardless of body size. In addition, it is advantageously achieved in this way that the container remains relatively small in comparison to the device. This saves not only manufacturing costs but also operating costs.

In a development of the invention, the device has a base on the underside, so that it is free-standing. A free-standing device has proven to be particularly advantageous, it being important that the device is stable and without additional protection against tipping over. Alternatively, the device can also be secured with a fuse, for example on a wall. By means of the free-standing device, the area that can be used for the disposal of chewing gum is increased, especially since the device can also be set up as a kind of “island” on a standing area, individually and/or in combination with other devices.

A "pedestal" is understood to mean a device arranged underneath the device as a support in order to give it sufficient stability. For example, the device has a stand which is arranged in the center of the device and/or extends over its entire width. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the device has two feet located at the outer, opposite ends of the insert. Of course, three, four or more feet can also be realized within the scope of the invention.

The base preferably consists of a stable, weather-resistant, low-adhesion, fire-retardant and/or non-combustible material, like the body and/or the container of the device.

When used as intended, the device stands on a footprint, such as a floor covering, in particular a hard floor covering, a textile, elastic and/or mineral floor covering, and/or the ground.

In an alternative development, the device is permanently anchored in a wall. This not only offers the advantage that the device is securely protected against theft, vandalism and/or against tipping over. In addition, their spatial depth is reduced. In addition, it is also possible to adapt the device to the color design at the place of use.

Any anchoring of the device in and/or on a wall is conceivable within the scope of the invention.

In a further embodiment, the device is paper, a foil and/or a textile fabric, which also includes a composite of similar materials. A device of this type is particularly suitable for sticking chewing gum that is no longer required.

Alternatively, the device is designed to be exchangeable, replaceable and/or self-cleaning in order to continually dispose of to ensure chewing gum. For example, it is possible to store the paper, the film and/or the textile fabric as a web on a rotatable roll in order to provide an unused web by simply turning it further. Alternatively, it is also possible for the device to be made up of several layers, so that a new, unused layer is made available by tearing off the top layer. In addition, it is conceivable that the device is designed to be self-cleaning, in that dried chewing gum loses its adhesion to the layer and falls into the container.

According to the invention, the container is exchangeable and can be inserted or inserted into the body in an exchangeable and/or removable manner at the front. This makes it considerably easier to empty the container, since it can simply be exchanged for a new container and/or can be easily and easily removed from the device and fed back into it again after it has been emptied. Alternatively, the receptacle may be provided with a suitable lining and/or liquid to facilitate emptying.

Alternatively, the inner surface of the container preferably has a non-stick coating, which also makes it easier to empty it, in that the chewing gum does not stick to it and/or only with difficulty and can be easily removed from it when it is disposed of.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the dependent claims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the embodiment. The embodiment is shown schematically in the figure. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate elements that are the same or have the same function or that correspond to one another in terms of their function.

In detail shows:
figure 1 the device according to the invention in a perspective view.

In the figure 1 an embodiment of a device according to the invention for disposing of chewing gum (100) is shown, which has a body (110) with a device (111) arranged at the front for receiving chewing gum that is no longer required and a container (120) for storage, storage, collection and/or or storage of chewing gum.

The body (110) is oriented essentially vertically and is completely closed. This prevents chewing gum or other rubbish from getting inside and being disposed of in this way. Due to the vertical orientation of the body (110), the device (100) can be operated and used by all users, regardless of body size. In addition, the container (120) remains relatively small compared to the device (111), as a result of which manufacturing and operating costs are saved.

The front of the body (110) has a device (111) for receiving chewing gum, such as paper, foil, textile fabric and/or a composite of similar materials. Chewing gum can be stuck to the device (111) or chewing gum can be attached to it.

The container (120), which is open at the top, is arranged below the device (111) and is designed to protrude forward. This is the only way to ensure that chewing gum falling off and/or falling off the device (111) is caught in the container (120) and thus stored, stored, collected and/or kept in it.

As in figure 1 can clearly be seen, the device (100) has a base (101) on the underside, so that it is free-standing.

reference list

100

Device for disposing of chewing gum

101

stand

110

body

111

Furnishings

120

container

Claims (7)

1. Device for disposing of used chewing gums, comprising,

   - a facility (111) which is suited to receive chewing gum; and

   - a exchangeable vessel (120) for the retention, storage, keeping and/or collection of chewing gum;
   whereby the vessel (120) is arranged underneath the facility (111) and protrudes beyond its front and is at least partially open on a top side; and

   - the facility (111) is, on its front face, provided with a layer of such constitution that the chewing gum sticks to it at least temporarily;

   characterized in that

   - a completely and/or partially closed body (110) comprising assembled, plane sides, bottom and top, wherein the facility (111) is arranged at a front face of the body (110), and

   - the vessel (120)

   ∘ is exchangeably and/or removably inserted or insertable into the body (110) from the front,
   or

   ∘ is provided with an appropriate lining and/or a liquid for facilitating its emptying.
2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device (100) is substantially vertically aligned.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (100) has a pedestal (101) beneath its bottom.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is permanently anchored to a wall.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the facility (111) is a paper, a foil or a textile tissue.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the facilty (111) is configured to be replaceable, exchangeble and/or self-cleaning.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface of the vessel (120) has an non-stick coating.

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