GB2442460A

GB2442460A - Personal chewing gum disposal unit

Info

Publication number: GB2442460A
Application number: GB0619875A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Wm Mclaughlin; Richard Mervyn Mclaughlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-07
Filing date: 2006-10-07
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Also published as: GB0619875D0

Abstract

A personal gum disposal unit comprises covers 1 holding leaves/inserts 5 between which used chewing gum can be stored until a more suitable time for disposable. Adjacent leaves/inserts can be separated to place used gum on a central target area 4. Leaves/inserts can be torn away from their attachment at a closed edge portion of the covers. The outer edges of the leaves/inserts can have staggered, stepped edges 3. The unit is a practical shape for handling and carrying in pockets and handbags. The outer covers are of a stiffer material to ensure closure and protection.

Description

GUM SAVER

This invention relates to a device for the temporary storage of used chewing gum. One of the main reasons why used chewing gum ends up on our streets, floors and pavements is simply that there Is rarely somewhere to deposit the sticky filament speedily, hygienically and practically. People tend to rid themselves of the offending gum by spitting it onto the ground.

Many conventional waste units do not encourage the disposal of chewing gum as quite often you have to place your exposed hand inside a lifter unit before you can dislodge the gum from your fingers. Some new static units are in use but these are subject to deterioration from the elements and vandals.

The gum saving system is a device to reduce environmental abuse, protect the appearance of our civic areas, and decrease the multi millIon pound bills which annually occur due to the cleaning up costs of dropped chewing gum defacing our pavements and other public areas.

This Invention plans to give the users of chewing gum their own personal disposal units which they can carry on their person and use at any time or place. The device otters a convenient and discreet unit with a number of leaves/Inserts.

Each leaf/insert, or pair of leaves/Inserts, can be opened, the gum placed in the centre target area and the unit is then closed over. The leaves/inserts are serrated for easy removal at a more suitable time for disposal.

The major problem with gum is Its disposal. Most gum users would like a means to save them from depositing their used gum on the ground. This device can receive and store the used gum for later convenient, hygienic disposal.

The gum saver is shaped so as to be easy to use and even allow single-handed operation. The outer surfaces are to be attractive, user-friendly and retain the closed position. Inside, 2.

between back and front covers, are approximately twenty leavesIinserts of a sufficient quality to hold a used piece of gum between two leaves/inserts so that the gum is squeezed flat, enabling the device to be closed, before returning it to the pocket or handbag. All the leaves/inserts are serrated at the closed side of the device and at a suitable time, the leaveslinserts, with the used gum sandwiched between them, can be removed by tearing along the serrations and placing into permanent disposal units such as litter bins.

The device will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings.

The leaves/Inserts 2 In the device are of a slightly smaller diameter than the outer covers I to ensure they are protected from wear and tear, figure2. The outer edges of the cover are shaped inwards so that the back and front meet, figure 2, to prevent any miscellany from the pocket or handbag getting Into the device.

As a variation, the leaf/Insert may have a thumb/finger space 3 In the outside edge to easily separate the top leaf/insert from the second leaf/insert, figure 4. When one, or a pair of leaves/Inserts, Is separated, the exposed second leaf/insert has a target area 4 marked on It to show the best position to place the used gum, figure 4. Then the device Is closed over, figure 1.

The gum Is effectively sandwiched between two leaves/Inserts. Behind this leaf/insert 5 is the next one awaiting use. Push down on the stepped edge 3, peel open and place used gum on the target 4, and close over, figure 1.

In figure 3 the serrated edge 6 of the leaf/insert is displayed.

This makes for efficient removal of the leaves/Inserts storing the used gum. 3.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A personal gum disposal unit to fit into pocket or handbag,

for the temporary storage of used gum, holding leaves/inserts, which can be removed and disposed of when convenient.

2. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim I with outer covers, or cover, to protect and support the internal leaves/inserts which like the outer cover can be made from two pieces or one piece folded over.

3. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim 2 of a polygonal or circular shape, closed on one side to hold the Ieaveslinserts.

4. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim 3 holding leaves/inserts of a smaller size than the outer cover.

5. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim 4 with leaves/inserts serrated at the closed edge of the unit.

8. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim 5 with a target area marked on each leaf/insert.

7. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim 6 with stepped edges or plain leaves/Inserts.

8. A personal gum disposal unit according to claim 7, held together at the closed side by gum, staples, stitching, pressing or any other means and leaving the serrations clear for use.