GB2083739A - Waste containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 1 for receiving waste, e.g. an ashtray, generally comprises: a rigid lid 2 having a central aperture 8, supported by a rigid cup-shaped outer container 3, and a manually crushable cup-shaped waste container 4 inside the outer container 3. The waste container 4 may be made of metal foil or other suitable material which is heat resistant. In use, when waste has been deposited into the container 1 via the aperture 8 the lid 2 may be removed and the crushable container 4 taken out of the outer container 3 and the crushable container 4 then crushed so that the waste is retained within it and the resulting ball of foil hygienically disposed of. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Waste containers This invention relates to waste containers with disposable waste collecting means and in particular, though not exclusively, to a smokers' ashtray provided with a disposable waste container.

There are a variety of smokers' ashtrays in existence which to a greater or lesser degree cater for the collection of the waste from smoking, e.g. ash, cigarette butts, burnt matches or tobacco. The basic requirement of such an ashtray is to provide a heat resistant container for receiving the aforementioned waste. It should also prevent hot waste from coming into contact with any nearby flammable material and thus ashtrays are often provided with arrangements for retaining waste therein. For example ashtrays are known which are provided with an apertured lid and a lower separable waste container so that once received the waste is largely retained if the ashtray is knocked over, and furthermore the escape of unpleasant odours to the atmosphere is reduced.

However, all of such ashtrays require periodic emptying and cleaning. At these times the waste which they contain must be tipped into some suitable refuse container and the ashtray washed to remove residue. In such operations substantial amounts of dust are spread into the atmosphere and other unpleasant and unhygienic debris is scattered into the environment.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide an ashtray which, in addition to substantially meeting existing requirements, is provided with improved means which allow for the hygienic disposal of waste.

According to the invention there is provided a container for receiving waste comprising an apertured lid and a heat resistant, manually crushable, disposable waste container, the waste container being arranged to receive waste through the aperture in the lid.

When the waste container is sufficiently full it can be separated from the lid and at the same time crushed to a closed condition so as to retain the waste, and the crushed container can then be hygienically disposed of and replaced by a new one.

The disposable waste container can be made of any suitable heat-resistant material which is such as to keep its crushed shape when crushed, i.e. is not such as to readily open up again when the manual crushing force is removed. Metal, e.g. aluminium, foil is a preferred material.

In a preferred embodiment the ashtray also includes a rigid outer container for the said waste container, such outer container being arranged to support the apertured lid and to receive the waste container, both of the latter being separable from the outer container. This arrangement has the advantage that the waste container is protected against accidental crushing. The apertured lid may be releasably attached to the said rigid container by a press-fit, or they may be screwed together.

The apertured lid is preferably formed so that its top surface slopes downwardly from its perimeter to the aperture which is preferably formed in the centre of the lid. In addition stepped channels for receiving cigarettes may be provided which extend from the periphery to the aperture, the steps assisting in preventing cigarettes from sliding into the aperture.

In another embodiment the said outer container is omitted and the crushable waste container is adapted to support the lid, the two members being separable. This embodiment provides a simple waste container which may be produced particularly cheaply, while it retains the advantage of allowing for the hygienic disposal of the waste.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-section through an ashtray according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of a crushable waste container when crushed.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, an ashtray 1 of circular cross-section comprises a rigid lid 2 having a central aperture 8, supported by a rigid cup-shaped outer container 3, and a manually crushable cup-shaped waste container 4 inside the container 3.

The apertured lid 2 may be made from any heat-resistant durable material e.g. stainless steel or a suitable piastics, as may the lower container 3 although this heed not be heat-resistant. The lid 2 is a press fit into the top of the container 3 and is removable to allow access to the crushable cup 4, which is preferably made of aluminium foil.

The cup 4 has an annularflange 5 which rests on an annular inwardly protruding rib 6 of the container 3. The cup 4 is supported so that only the flange 5 comes into contact with the container 3.

The top surface 7 of the lid 2 slopes down to the central aperture 8 and is provided with channels 9 having steps 10.

In use ash etc. is put into the ashtray and falls through the aperture 8 into the cup 4 where it is retained. To empty the ashtray the lid 2 is taken off the container 3 and cup 4 is then removed. The cup 4, made of aluminium foil, can then be crushed, as shown in Figure 2, so that waste is retained in the resulting ball of foil, and the waste containing ball can then be disposed of safely with the minimum of mess.

This ashtray has many advantages over prior devices. The use of the crushable cup 4 allows for the hygienic disposal of waste and alleviates the problem of residual tar and ash in the ashtray - only the top surface of the lid 2 requiring cleaning. The spreading of distasteful odours, dust and other debris, which occurs when known ashtrays are emptied, is substantially prevented. Further, cigarettes may be placed in the stepped channels 9 in the lid 2, the steps generally preventing the cigarettes sliding into the aperture 8, while the slope of the channel and the top surface 7 will aid the movement of the ash into the aperture.

The invention is applicable to the provision of all manner of comparatively small-scale waste containers in addition to ashtrays, for example waste-paper containers, kitchen waste containers and the like.

Claims (9)

1. A container for receiving waste comprising an apertured lid and a heat resistant, manually crushable, disposable waste container, the waste container being arranged to receive waste through the aperture in the lid.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said waste container is made of a material which substantially retains its crushed shape when the manual crushing force is removed.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said material is metal foil.

4. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein there is provided a rigid outer container for the said waste container, such outer container being arranged to support the apertured lid and to receive the waste container, both of the latter being separable from the outer container.

5. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, where the apertured lid is formed so that its top surface slopes downwardly from its perimeter to the aperture.

6. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture is formed in the centre ofthe lid.

7. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein stepped channels are provided in the apertured lid and which extend from the periphery of the lid to the aperture.

8. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which is a smokers' ashtray.

9. A container for receiving waste substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.