GB2433190A

GB2433190A - Ashtray apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2433190A
Application number: GB0525412A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Mcgregor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2005-12-14
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-14
Also published as: GB2433190B; GB0525412D0

Abstract

An ashtray apparatus (1) comprises a hopper (2) for retaining non-flammable particulate matter such as sand and dispensing means which is activatable to dispense particulate matter from the hopper onto an ashtray surface (12). The apparatus may comprise a container located below the ashtray for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, the container comprising an aperture for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, the aperture having a closed position and an open position for receiving matter from the ashtray surface into the container. The ashtray can be slid to uncover at least part of the aperture and sweeping means (26) such as a brush can sweep matter off the ashtray surface through the aperture as the surface is slid towards the sweeping means. Ashtrays used for example by many smokers outside buildings can be emptied and sanitised in a convenient and non-contact manner.

Description

1 2433190 I Ashtray aDraratus

3 Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of ashtrays for stubbing out cigarettes and 6 receiving cigarette ends.

8 Background to the invention

Many buildings, such as office buildings and some restaurants and pubs, do not allow 11 people who come into the building to smoke. In some countries, laws prevent people 12 from smoking inside particular buildings. People who are smoking a cigarette when 13 they approach the building therefore have to stub out and perhaps dispose of their 14 cigarettes.

16 Unless ashtray facilities are provided, many smokers will drop their cigarettes outside 17 the building which is unsightly. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide suitable ashtray 18 facilities for use in locations such as the entrance to buildings. These ashtrays 19 typically include a non-flammable particulate material such as sand to help people stub out their cigarettes. It is important that ashtrays are frequently sanitised to keep 21 up the appearance of building entrances. Cleaning and sanitising these ashtrays is 22 not a desirable job and so embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a 23 facility which allows the contents of an ashtray to be emptied and fresh sand to be 24 provided in a convenient and non-contact method.

I Summary of the invention

3 According to the present invention there is provided ashtray apparatus comprising a 4 hopper for retaining non-flammable particulate matter, and dispensing means which is activatable to dispense particulate matter from the hopper onto an ashtray surface 6 located below the dispenser.

8 Preferably, the non-flammable particulate matter comprises, or consists of, sand.

The dispensing means could include an aperture which is opened and through which 11 non-flammable particulate matter flows until the aperture is closed. However, the 12 dispensing means preferably dispenses a predetermined volume of non-flammable 13 particulate matter when it is activated. This allows the rate at which the non- 14 flammable particulate matter is used to be controlled and can avoid using more or less non-flammable particulate matter than is required.

17 Preferably, the dispensing means has a first position in which a dispensing portion of 18 the dispensing means receives a volume of non-flammable particulate matter from 19 the hopper but does not dispense non-flammable particulate matter, and a second position in which the dispensing portion dispenses non-flammable particulate matter 21 previously received from the hopper but does not receive further non-flammable 22 particulate matter from the hopper.

24 Preferably, the dispensing portion is located underneath an outlet of the hopper in the first position and receives non-flammable particulate matter from the hopper by the 26 action of gravity, and is located above an outlet of the dispensing means in the 27 second position, through which non-flammable particulate matter falls onto the 28 ashtray surface by the action of gravity.

Preferably, the outlet of the hopper and the outlet of the dispensing portion are 31 laterally displaced relative to each other and the dispensing portion is slidable 32 between the first and second positions.

34 The hopper may be opaque except for a viewing port through which the level of non-flammable particulate matter within the hopper can be viewed.

I The dispensing means may comprise a lock which, when locked, prevents the 2 dispensation of particulate matter.

4 Preferably, the ashtray apparatus further comprises a container located below the ashtray surface for receiving matter from the ashtray surface (including, for example, 6 non-flammable particulate matter previously dispensed from the hopper), wherein the 7 container comprises an aperture for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, and 8 the container has a closed position in which the aperture is closed off and an open 9 position for receiving matter from the ashtray surface through the aperture into the container.

12 Preferably, the ashtray surface covers the aperture in the closed position but does not 13 fully cover the aperture in the open position, allowing matter from the ashtray surface 14 to fall into the container.

16 The ashtray surface may be slidable to uncover at least part of the aperture.

18 The ashtray apparatus may further comprise sweeping means for sweeping matter 19 supported on the ashtray surface through the aperture.

21 Preferably, the sweeping means are fixed in position and sweep matter supported on 22 the ashtray surface off the ashtray surface through the aperture as the ashtray 23 surface is slid towards the sweeping means.

The ashtray apparatus may comprise a slidable tray, wherein the slidable tray 26 comprises the ashtray surface. The slidable tray may comprise handle means for 27 pulling the slidable tray.

29 The container may comprise a lock which, when locked, maintains the container in the closed position.

32 Preferably, the ashtray surface is open on each side to allow people to use the 33 ashtray from any side of the ashtray apparatus. The container and the hopper are 34 preferably joined to each other. For example, they may be connected by rods at each corner.

1 Preferably, the base of the ashtray apparatus is weighted to prevent the ashtray 2 apparatus from falling over when the hopper has recently been filled meaning that the 3 apparatus would otherwise be top heavy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided ashtray 6 apparatus comprising an ashtray surface, a container located below the ashtray 7 surface for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, and the container comprises an 8 aperture for receiving matter from the ashtray surface which has a closed position 9 and an open position for receiving matter from the ashtray surface into the container.

11 Preferred features correspond to those described in relation to the container in the 12 first embodiment above.

14 Description of the Drawings

16 An example embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with 17 reference to the following Figures in which: 19 Figure 1 is a perspective view of ashtray apparatus according to the present invention; and 22 Figure 2 is a cross-section through a hopper and dispensing means according to the 23 present invention.

Detailed Description of an Example Embodiment

27 Figure 1 is a perspective view of ashtray apparatus 1 comprising a hopper 2 for 28 retaining non-flammable particulate material, typically sand. The hopper can be filled 29 with sand through a hatch 4. The hopper is generally made from an opaque material such as metal or a plastics material but includes a linear viewing port 6 which extends 31 up the side of the hopper through which the level of sand within the hopper can be 32 viewed.

34 The hopper includes dispensing means in the form of a dispenser which is activatable by sliding handle 8, which causes a predetermined amount of sand to be released 36 from the hopper through dispenser outlet 10 from where it falls onto ashtray surface 37 12. The ashtray surface is typically a metal tray suitable for supporting the sand, 1 typically with a rim 14 around the edge. The ashtray surface can be accessed from 2 all four sides allowing smokers to stub out their cigarettes and leave the butts on the 3 tray.

The apparatus further includes a base unit 16 which includes a container located 6 below the ashtray surface for receiving sand and cigarette butts. The container has 7 rods 18 at each corner for supporting the hopper and an openable door 20 allowing 8 the contents of the container to be removed. A weighted base 22 is provided at the 9 base of the base unit to prevent the unit from tipping over when the hopper is full of sand and the container is empty or nearly empty, when the apparatus would 11 otherwise be top heavy.

13 The metal tray which makes up the ashtray surface includes a handle 24 on one side 14 of the apparatus, which can be pulled out, revealing an aperture defined by the inward edges of the rim 14, causing the contents of the ashtray surface to fall through 16 the aperture into the container. A brush 26 is provided which the ashtray surface 17 moves towards when the handle is pulled. The brush is in contact with the ashtray 18 surface and so sweeps the sand and any cigarette butts into the container.

Figure 2 is a cross-section through the hopper which shows the components of the 21 dispenser. A sliding dispensing portion 28 has an aperture at the top for receiving 22 sand through a lower opening 30 of the hopper when the dispensing portion is 23 located in a first position. The dispensing portion is attached to a spring-loaded bar 24 32 which biases the dispensing portion into the first position. By sliding the handle 8, the dispensing portion can be moved into a second position where it allows sand 26 previously received from the hopper to fall through outlet 10 onto the ashtray surface.

27 Block 34 slides with the dispensing portion, blocking opening 30 and retaining sand 28 within the hopper when the dispensing portion is in the second position.

Preferably, some or all of the dispensing means, the slidable ashtray surface and the 31 openable door allowing the contents of the container to be removed are lockable to 32 prevent passers-by from working the mechanisms.

34 The ashtray apparatus of the present invention can be operated easily and hygienically to allow the sand present on the ashtray surface to be changed 36 periodically. The integral hopper and container for used sand provides a convenient 37 storage mechanism for the fresh and used sand.

I

2 An external agency can service the ashtray apparatus from time to time by removing 3 the used sand from the container and filling the hopper with fresh sand. In 4 embodiments where a predetermined amount of sand is dispensed each time, the sand can be changed periodically (e.g. daily) and servicing scheduled regularly (e.g. 6 monthly) without the risk of the supply of sand running out between services or the 7 consumption of excess sand.

Claims

1 Claims 3 1. Ashtray apparatus comprising a hopper for retaining

non-flammable 4 particulate matter, and dispensing means which is activatable to dispense particulate matter from the hopper onto an ashtray surface located below the 6 dispenser.

8
2. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing means 9 dispenses a predetermined volume of non-flammable particulate matter when it is activated.

12
3. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dispensing means has a 13 first position in which a dispensing portion of the dispensing means receives a 14 volume of non-flammable particulate matter from the hopper but does not dispense non-flammable particulate matter, and a second position in which 16 the dispensing portion dispenses non-flammable particulate matter previously 17 received from the hopper but does not receive further non-flammable 18 particulate matter from the hopper.

4. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dispensing portion is 21 located underneath an outlet of the hopper in the first position and receives 22 non-flammable particulate matter from the hopper by the action of gravity, and 23 is located above an outlet of the dispensing means in the second position, 24 through which non-flammable particulate matter falls onto the ashtray surface by the action of gravity.

27 5. Ashtray apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outlet of the hopper and 28 the outlet of the dispensing portion are laterally displaced relative to each 29 other and the dispensing portion is slidable between the first and second positions.

32 6. Ashtray apparatus according to any one preceding claim, wherein the hopper 33 is opaque except for a viewing port through which the level of non-flammable 34 particulate matter within the hopper can be viewed.

36 7. Ashtray apparatus according to any one preceding claim, wherein the 37 dispensing means can be locked to prevent it from being activated.

2 8. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, further comprising 3 a container located below the ashtray surface for receiving matter from the 4 ashtray surface, wherein the container comprises an aperture for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, and the container has a closed position in 6 which the aperture is closed off and an open position for receiving matter from 7 the ashtray surface through the aperture into the container.

9 9. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ashtray surface covers the aperture in the closed position but does not fully cover the aperture in the 11 open position, allowing matter from the ashtray surface to fall into the 12 container.

14 10. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ashtray surface can be slid to uncover at least part of the aperture.

17 11. Ashtray apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising 18 sweeping means for sweeping matter supported on the ashtray surface 19 through the aperture.

21 12. Ashtray apparatus according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 8, wherein 22 the sweeping means are fixed in position and sweep matter supported on the 23 ashtray surface off the ashtray surface through the aperture as the ashtray 24 surface is slid towards the sweeping means.

26 13. Ashtray apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a 27 slidable tray, wherein the slidable tray comprises the ashtray surface.

29 14. Ashtray apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the slidable tray comprises handle means for pulling the slidable tray.

32 15. Ashtray apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the 33 container and the hopper are connected by rods.

16. Ashtray apparatus according to any one preceding claim, comprising a base 36 which is weighted. 5. 9

1 17. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the non- 2 flammable particulate matter comprises sand.

4 18. Ashtray apparatus comprising an ashtray surface, a container located below the ashtray surface for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, and the 6 container comprises an aperture for receiving matter from the ashtray surface 7 which has a closed position and an open position for receiving matter from the 8 ashtray surface into the container.

19. Ashtray apparatus substantially as described herein and illustrated in the 11 drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 3 1. Ashtray apparatus comprising a hopper for retaining non-flammable 4 particulate matter, and dispensing means which is activatable to dispense particulate matter from the hopper onto an ashtray surface located below the 6 dispenser.

8 2. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing means 9 dispenses a predetermined volume of non-flammable particulate matter when it is activated.

12 3. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dispensing means has a 13 first position in which a dispensing portion of the dispensing means receives a 14 volume of non-flammable particulate matter from the hopper but does not dispense non-flammable particulate matter, and a second position in which 16 the dispensing portion dispenses non-flammable particulate matter previously 17 received from the hopper but does not receive further non-flammable 18 particulate matter from the hopper.

4. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dispensing portion is 21 located underneath an outlet of the hopper in the first position and receives 22 non-flammable particulate matter from the hopper by the action of gravity, and 23 is located above an outlet of the dispensing means in the second position, 24 through which non-flammable particulate matter falls onto the ashtray surface by the action of gravity.

27 5. Ashtray apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outlet of the hopper and 28 the outlet of the dispensing portion are laterally displaced relative to each 29 other and the dispensing portion is slidable between the first and second positions.

32 6. Ashtray apparatus according to any one preceding claim, wherein the hopper 33 is opaque except for a viewing port through which the level of non-flammable 34 particulate matter within the hopper can be viewed.

36 7. Ashtray apparatus according to any one preceding claim, wherein the 37 dispensing means can be locked to prevent it from being activated. * .

I

2 8. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, further comprising 3 a container located below the ashtray surface for receiving matter from the 4 ashtray surface, wherein the container comprises an aperture for receiving matter from the ashtray surface, and the container has a closed position in 6 which the aperture is closed off and an open position for receiving matter from 7 the ashtray surface through the aperture into the container.

9 9. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ashtray surface covers the aperture in the closed position but does not fully cover the aperture in the 11 open position, allowing matter from the ashtray surface to fall into the 12 container.

14 10. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ashtray surface can be slid to uncover at least part of the aperture.

17 11. Ashtray apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising 18 sweeping means for sweeping matter supported on the ashtray surface 19 through the aperture.

21 12. Ashtray apparatus according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 8, wherein 22 the sweeping means are fixed in position and sweep matter supported on the 23 ashtray surface off the ashtray surface through the aperture as the ashtray 24 surface is slid towards the sweeping means.

26 13. Ashtray apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a 27 slidable tray, wherein the slidable tray comprises the ashtray surface.

29 14. Ashtray apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the slidable tray comprises handle means for pulling the slidable tray.

32 15. Ashtray apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the 33 container and the hopper are connected by rods.

16. Ashtray apparatus according to any one preceding claim, comprising a base 36 which is weighted.

1 17. Ashtray apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the non- 2 flammable particulate matter comprises sand.

4 18. Ashtray apparatus substantially as described herein and illustrated in the drawings.