GB2263897A

GB2263897A - Masticated gum disposal

Info

Publication number: GB2263897A
Application number: GB9202048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mary Bernadette Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-31
Filing date: 1992-01-31
Publication date: 1993-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-31
Also published as: GB2263897B; GB9202048D0

Abstract

Apparatus for the safe disposal of spent gum comprises a hollow container defined by a base wall and at least one upstanding side wall. At the upper extremity of the side wall there is a mouth of a shape and dimensions to enable spent gum to be disposed of by transference from a user's mouth to the inside of the container. A close-fitting lid includes means grippable between at least two fingers to facilitate removal of the lid before the transfer is effected and the apparatus includes at least one outside surface susceptible of printing at least to designate a gum product. Overall the apparatus has a shape which can accommodate fresh gum in discrete portions if desired as well as spent gum.

Description

MASTICATED GUM DISPOSAL The present invention relates to the disposal of masticated gum, in particular spent chewing gum or spent bubble gum.

As is well recognised, spent gum which has been masticated and discarded is messy and sometimes constitutes an extreme nuisance. If carelessly discarded in the home or picked up on footwear from a public place it can lead to unwanted contamination and lead to undesirable results such as spoilt furnishings or carpets or the like, or even worse.

Thus, safe disposal of spent gum in an inexpensive and very easy manner which encourages such safe disposal especially by children or young people is a highly desirable end which has not yet been achieved.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide means for the safe disposal of spent gum in an inexpensive and/or very easy manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide gum disposal means attractive to children and young people.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide gum disposal means sufficiently striking in appearance to attract use, especially by children and young people.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide gum disposal means susceptible of presentation in a highly colourful manner.

It is a yet further objection of the present invention to provide for gum disposal in a manner which enables the gum in its fresh, unspent discrete state e.g. as gum strips, to be dispensed from and/or packaged in the disposal means.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a means of gum disposal which may be used as an advertising or promotional platform for the brand of gum originating the disposal means.

These and other objects may be at least essentially fulfilled according to the present invention in apparatus for the safe disposal of spent gum, which apparatus comprises a hollow container defined by a base wall, at least one upstanding side wall, a mouth defined by the at least one upstanding side wall at the upper extremity thereof, the mouth being of a shape and dimensions to enable spent gum to be disposed of by transference from a user's own mouth to the inside of the container, and a close-fitting lid including means grippable between at least two fingers to facilitate removal of the lid before said transfer is effected, the apparatus including at least one outside surface susceptible of printing at least to designate a gum product, and overall having a shape which can accommodate fresh gum in discrete portions if desired as well as spent gum.

In addition, the invention provides a method of disposing of spent gum in a safe and easy manner, which method comprises providing a hollow container as defined above, removing the lid thereof, transferring spent gum from a user's own mouth to the inside of the container and replacing the lid.

Furthermore, the invention provides a package of a masticatable gum, which package comprises a hollow container as defined above, having packaged therein a plurality of discrete portions of fresh gum, each or collocations of some of which may as necessary have their own individual packaging.

Also, the invention provides a method of dispensing fresh gum portions for chewing or like purposes, which method comprises removing the lid from a hollow container of a package as defined above, and ejecting or othe;wise removing at least one discrete portion of fresh gum from within the container, any individual packaging thereof being removed as necessary before consumption.

Yet further, the invention provides use of apparatus as defined above in the manufacture of a fresh gum packaged product for consumption and thereafter disposal in a safe manner.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows various rectangular gum tins; Figure 2 shows various bins of an alternative shape; and Figure 3 shows various tins or hins and their equivalent gum products Referring to the drawings, the new concept devised by the Applicant is shown in relation to a well-known chewing gum and also a well-known bubble gum. As can be seen, the concept generally involves the provision of a chewing gum tin or a bubble gum bin for disposal of spent gum. As a generalisation, the tin or bin may be of any suitable shape or size, but for promotional purposes it may be identified by the kind of get-up associated with a particular product as shown.Furthermore, the bin or tin may to a greater or lesser degree be configured in the same manner as the packaging of the product so as: To emulate the product; To act as additional packaging for the product; and/or To contrast with the product.

While giving full acknowledyement to any proprietary names and/or Trade Marks etc. as appearing in the drawings, and while not wishing to detract from the rights of established gum manufacturers and/or suppliers, nevertheless the Applicant believes that valuable Intellectual Property belongs to her as the devisor of the chewing gum tin and/or bubble gum bin, first of all in the marks: CHEWING GUM TIN GUM TIN GUMTIN BUBBLE GUM BIN GUM BIN GUMBIN.

Secondly, in the concepts of: 1. A method and/or means of packaging chewing gum or bubble gum in a container which can be used to dispose of spent or waste gum, and, additionally and/or alternatively, 2. A method or means of dispensing chewing gum or bubble gum in association with a container which can be used to dispose of spent or waste gum.

Thirdly, in the design concept of: 1. A chewing gum tin of a particular shape or configuration or having a particular pattern or ornament.

2. A bubble gum bin of similar characteristics.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art this invention is not limited to the specific details shown in the accompanying drawings or described above. Thus, numerous variations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the safe disposal of spent gum, which apparatus comprises a hollow container defined by a base wall, at least one upstanding side wall, a mouth defined by the at least one upstanding side wall at the upper extremity thereof, the mouth being of a shape and dimensions to enable spent gum to be disposed of by transference from a user's mouth to the inside of the container, and a close-fitting lid including means grippable between at least two finyers to facilitate removal of the lid before said transfer is effected, the apparatus including at least one outside surface susceptible of printing at least to designate a gum product, and overall having a shape which can accommodate fresh gum in discrete portions if desired as well as spent gum.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

3. Apparatus for the safe disposal of spent gum substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4. A method of disposing of spent gum in a safe and easy manner, which method comprises providing a hollow container as defined in claim 1, removing the lid thereof, transferring spent gum from a user's mouth to the inside of the container and replacing the lid.

5. A method of disposing of spent gum in a safe and easy manner substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. A package of a masticatable gum, which package comprises a hollow container as defined in claim 1, having packaged therein a plurality of discrete portions of fresh gum, each or collocations of some of which may as necessary have their own individual packaging.

7. A package according to claim 6 substantially as hereinbefore described.

8. A package including a masticatable gum which comprises a hollow container as defined in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

9. A method of dispensing fresh gum portions for chewing or like purposes, which method comprises removing the lid from a hollow container of a package as defined in claim 6 or claim 8, and ejecting or otherwise removing at least one discrete portion of fresh gum from within the container, any individual packaging thereof being removed as necessary before consumption.

10. A method according to claim 9 substantially as hereinbefore described.

11. Use of apparatus as defined in claim 1, in the manufacture of a fresh gum packaged product for consumption and thereafter disposal in a safe manner.

12. Use of apparatus for the safe disposal of spent gum in the manufacture of a fresh gum packaged product substantially as hereinbefore described.