GB2528312A

GB2528312A - Container for chewing gum

Info

Publication number: GB2528312A
Application number: GB1412745.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duval Middleton
Original assignee: GUMIPOD Ltd
Current assignee: GUMIPOD Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-17
Filing date: 2014-07-17
Publication date: 2016-01-20
Also published as: GB201412745D0

Abstract

A container 1 for discarded chewing gum comprises a body 3 having at least one internal chamber 5, 7 defined by one or more internal wall(s) with an aperture. The wall(s) of the chamber are at least partly covered with a non-stick surface or material, e.g. silicone-based material such as PTFE, which may be provided in the form of a removable, integral one-piece pocket 15, 17 that in use locates within the chamber(s), having a shape and dimension to provide a friction-fit and a tab to assist in its removal from the chamber. The container 1 may comprise two chambers 5, 7, and a closure, e.g. lid or hinged flap to cover each aperture, which may be detachable, coated with a non-stick surface or material, curved or comprise at least one clip projecting from the lower edge for engaging with the inner wall of the chamber 5, 7. The body 3 may be generally elongate with two faces curving inwardly towards one another towards the edges where they join. The container 1 may further comprise an external attachment means for a strap or clip.

Description

Container for Chewing Gum

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to containers, primarily containers for holding discarded chewing gum.

Backeround of the Invention Chewing gum (a term intended to cover other types of gum, including bubble gum) is a widely enjoyed confectionary, usuall provided in neat packages to allow the gum to be conveniently carried in pockets, purses, handbags and the like. Individual pieces of gum are usually individually wrapped so that the gum can be placed in the mouth without the need to touch it by hand.

When the user has finished chewing the gum, it needs to be disposed of. This can be problematic, not least because it is confecñonarv intended to be enjoyed at any locadon and also because it is sflcky, wet and messy after use. No longer are ashtrays typical fixtures in bars, cafes and restaurants because of the widespread ban on indoor smoking, meaning that users in some situations tend to discard the spent gum on or under a table or chair, which is unsanitary and has to be cleaned up later when it wili tend to leave a deposit or residue. Similarly, in outdoors environments, people tend to spit or throw the spent gum on the floor or on street furniture, which has similar drawbacks and often requires speciaiised cleaning.

Summanr of the Invention A first aspect provides a container for discarded chewing gum, the container comprising a body having at least one internal chamber defined by one or more internal wall(s) with an aperture to enable a user to deposit chewing gum within the chamber, the or each wall of the chamber being at least partly covered with a non-stick surface or material.

Ihe non-stick surface or material may be a silicone-based material. Ihe non-stick surface or material may be Polytetrafluoroethylene (PIEK), which is a synthetic flouropolymer of tetrafluoroethykne. A known type of PTFF. is produced under the brand name IKE] 0N TM Ihe lower end of the or each chamber, generally opposite the aperture, may be defined by a curved walL The non-sdck surface or material may be provided in the form of a removable pocket that in use locates within the or each chamber.

The shape and dimensions of the removable pocket may conform substantially to the chamber inner wall(s) so as to provide a friction-fit.

The removable pocket may have an elongate tab that in use projects out of the chamber aperture to enable user-removal of the pocket.

The removable pocket may be an integral, one-piece item.

The container may comprise first and second chambers separated by a dividing wall.

Ihe dividing wall may project upwardly from the aperture.

Ihe container may further comprise a lid or flap to cover the or each aperture to prevent contents of the or each chamber from falling out when inverted.

First and second lids or flaps may be provided provided.

Ihe interior surface of the or each lid or flap may be curved.

The or each lid or flap may be hingedly attached to the body.

The or each lid or flap may be detachaHe from the body.

s 1he or each lid or flap may be coated or covered with a non-stick surface or material.

The or each hd or flap may comprise at least one dip projecting from the lower edge ftr engaging with the inner wall of the chamber.

The body may be generally elongate with first and second faces which curve inwardly towards one another towards the edges where they Join.

A second aspect of the invention provides a container for holding chewing gum, comprising a hollow body having at least one internal chamber that is lined with a removable pocket formed of silicon-based material, e.g. FTFE., and in which the lower end of the internal chamber, opposite an upper-end opening, and the lower end of the pocket, is curved.

Ihe container may further comprise a cap hingedly attached to the body and arranged to clip over the tipper-end opening to prevent items held within the chamber from falling out when inverted.

One or more projecting or depressed surfaces may be provided on the exterior of the body for the locatino of labels. h

The container may further comprise an external attachment means fir a strap or clip.

the external attachment means may comprise one or a pair of holes that pass through a wall of the body to enable a strap or clip to be mechanically secured thereto.

Brief Descpon of the Drawings the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chewing gum container according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top-plan view of the Figure 1 container; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the Figure 1 container; and Figures 4a -4f show different, more detailed views of a lining pocket of the Figure 1 container; and Figures 5a -Se show different, more detailed views of a hollow body of the Figure I container.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment()

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment portable container I is shown for holding spent chewing gum. the container I comprises a hollow' plastics body 3 within which is arranged first and second separate chambers 5, 7 divided by a vertical partitioning wall 9 equidistant between the chambers. In this case, therefore, the container 1 is useflil both for storing fresh, or unused gum, in one of the chambers 5, 7 and spent gum in the other.

Each chamber 5, 7 is open by virtue of a respective upper aperture which is selectively opened and closed by a respective cap 11, 13. Each cap 11, 13 is hingedly attached to an opposite lateral wall of the body 3, in this case by an integral plastics

S

tab 19 that allows each cap to open independently of the other in the manner shown.

Ihe lower periphery of each cap 11, 13 has first and second clips 21 which extend downwards with a barbed end which kcates within a recess 23 on an inner wall of the body 3. Ihe inner ends of each cap 11, 13 are open and, \vhen closed, locate S against or slightly over the upstanding ovular part of the vertical wall 9.

The shape of the container I is compact, comprising effectively two larger faces with rounded edges which meet at edge points on all four sides, including at the peripheries of the lid. Overall, the container I is neat, and easily locates with a pocket, purse, handbag or the like. When the caps 11, 13 are closed, the container 1 prevents items held within the chambers 5, 7 from falling out, for example when the container is inverted. The enclosure also largely prevents bad odours from escaping.

It will be noted that each chamber 5, 7 has within it a lining pocket 15, 17. Each lining pocket 15, 17 is removable from the chamber 5, 7 and is formed of a silicon-based material, in this case PIFE, which has non-stick properties meaning that gum (particularly the spent gum stored within the chamber will not stick to the internal walls of the chamber, but rather will locate towards the bottom of the pocket in the orientation shown. Figure 3 shows each pocket 15, 17 more closely relative to the chambers 5, 7 in which they locate. Ihe pockets 15, 17 are oppositely oriented.

Referring to Figures 4a -4f, each pocket 15, 17 comprises an elongate, generally planar wall 30 and a generally U or V-shaped connecting wall 32 within which the gum is deposited. At the upper end 34 of each pocket 15, 17 is an aperture, with cutaway side recesses 36 which provide space for the lid clips 21 to locate within recesses 23 on the body 3. The planar wall 30 of each pocket 15, 17 is longer than the vertical extent of the connecting wall to provide a pull-tab 38 enabling the pocket to be easily removed, e.g. for washing. Generally-speaking however it will be appreciated the shape and dimensions of each pocket 15, 17 are arranged to ensure a snug friction-fit within the chambers 5, 7.

Ihe shape of the lowermost waiis of the chambers 5, 7 and pockets 15, 17 are arranged to be curvilinear, which in use tends to urge deposited gum away from the lateral walls. Figure 4c in particular shows that there is an elbow region, which conforms to the inner corner of each chamber 5, 7 where there is a thicker wall portion through which are provided holes into which a strap can be threaded.

Referring to Figures 5a -5e, the body 3 is shown in various views. In Figure 5c, the two above-mentix)ned holes 61) are shown passing through a thicker, corner wall section to enable a strap to be threaded-through enabling carrying of the container 1 on the wrist or attachment to a bag or belt.

The PTFE pockets 15, 17 may be provided as integrally-formed, one-piece parts.

I bach may be provided in a different colour than that of the body 3.

As an alternative to providing flip-type caps 11, 13, hingedly attached to the upper end of the chambers 5, 7, a removable cap covering both chamber openings, or individual removable caps can be provided. The inner surface walls of the or each cap 11, 13 are preferably curvilinear to help prevent used gum from sticking to the walls. Additionally, or alternatively, the inner surface walls can be coated, covered or lined with non-stick material, such as a silicon-based material such as P1EV or the like. As with the pockets 15, 17 these can be removable.

The container 1 offers in addition to the technical advantages the possibility of carrying one or more advertisements, insignia or logos. For this purpose, the outer surface of any part of the container 1, but most likely the body 3, may be provided with a raised or depressed area onto which a sticker, label or the like can be affixed.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not hmiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalizathm thereof and during the prosecuon of the present application or of any applicathm derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims

Claims 1. A container for discarded chewing gum, the container comprising a body having at least one internal chamber defined by one or more internal wall(s) with an aperture to enable a user to deposit chewing gum within the chamber, the or each wall of the chamber being at least partly covered with a non-stick surface or material.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the non-stick surface or material is a silicone-based material.
3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the non-stick surface or material is Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower end of the or each chamber, generally opposite the aperture, is defined by a curved wall.
5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the non-stick surface or material is provided in the form of a removable pocket that in use ocates within the or each chamber.
6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the shape and dimensions of the removable pocket conform substantially to the chamber inner wall(s) so as to provide a friction-fit.
7. A container according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the removable pocket has an elongate tab that in use projects out of the chamber aperture to enable user-removal of the pocket.
8. A container according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the removable pocket is an integral, one-piece item.
9. A container according to any preceding claim, comprising first and second chambers separated by a dividing wali.
I (IL A container according to daim 9, wherein the dividing wall projects upwardly from the aperture.
11. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a lid or flap to cover the or each aperture to prevent contents of the or each chamber from falling out when inverted.
12. A container according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 10, wherein first and second lids or flaps are provided.
13. A container according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the interior surface of the or each lid or flap is curved.
14. A container according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the or each lid or flap is/are hingedly attached to the body.
15. A container according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the or each lid or flap is/are detachable from the body.
16. A container according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the or each lid or flap is/are coated or covered with a non-stick surface or material.
17. A container according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the or each lid or flap comprises at least one clip projecting from the lower edge for engaging with the inner wafl of the chamber.
18. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is generally elongate with first and second faces which curve inwardly towards one another towards the edges where they join.
19. A container for holding chewing gum, comprising a hollow body having at least one internal chamber that is lined with a removable pocket formed of silicon-based material, e.g. PTFE, and in which the lower end of the internal chamber, opposite an upper-end opening, and the lower end of the pocket, is curved.
20. A container according to claim 19, further comprising a cap hingedly attached to the body and arranged to clip over the upper-end opening to prevent items held within the chamber from falling out when inverted.
21. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more projecting or deprcssed surfaccs arc provided on the exterior of the body for the locating of labels.
22. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising an external attachment means for a strap or clip.
23. A container according to claim 22, wherein the external attachment means comprises one or a pair of holes that pass through a wall of the body to enable a strap or clip to be mechanically secured thereto.