IES990412A2

IES990412A2 - An ashtray

Info

Publication number: IES990412A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Richard Lyons
Original assignee: Omos Ltd
Priority date: 1999-05-21
Filing date: 1999-05-21
Publication date: 2001-02-07
Also published as: GB2350277A; GB0011885D0; GB2350277B

Abstract

The invention concerns an ashtray which may be used with existing litterbins. The ashtray (6) comprises a container (7) having an inlet (10) at a top end to receive cigarette ends, and an outlet at an opposite end for emptying the ashtray. The container fits within an aperture (5) formed in the top (2) of a litter bin (1). The ashtray has an openable lid (15) at the bottom, which is rotatable from a closed to an open position. Means for cleaning ash from the lid comprise an edge portion (17) of the container (7) which is in slideable contact with the upper surface of the lid (15) as it moves from a closed to an open position. The lid (15) is rotated by means of a shaft (20) operated by a key (28). <Figure 2>

Description

AN ASHTRAY I LODGED The invention relates to an ashtray. In particular the invention relates to an ashtray which is adapted to fit into the top of existing litter bins. The term “ashtray” is intended to incorporate a tray or container which is intended to receive cigarette ends, cigarette ash and the like.

Background of the Invention The elimination of litter from the streets of cities and towns is a current problem. Pedestrians are encouraged to dispose of litter in public litter bins which are positioned on street pavements. Anti-litter regulations usually prohibit the disposal of cigarette ends on streets and pavements but existing public litter bins usually have no provision to receive lighted cigarette ends.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an ashtray which is adapted for use with existing outdoor litter bins.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides an ashtray comprising a container having an inlet at a top end to receive cigarette ends and the like, and an outlet at an opposite end for emptying the ashtray, the container being adapted to fit within an aperture formed in the top of a litter bin.

Preferably, the container outlet has an openable lid. The apparatus may include means for cleaning the upper surface of the lid.

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 2S AND RULE 23 i JNL NO. OF. ,ριοβοβ3·?Β0ββαα»αΰοι IE990412 In accordance with one embodiment, the lid is rotatable from a closed to an open position. Preferably, the cleaning means comprises an edge portion of the container which is in slideable contact with the upper surface of the lid as it moves from a closed to an open position. The lid may be rotated by means of a shaft operated by a key or the like.

In accordance with another aspect the invention provides an ashtray adapted to fit within an aperture in the top of a litter bin, the ashtray comprising a container portion which is adapted to fit within said aperture and a flange portion adapted to engage with a wall of the bin to retain the container within the fop part of the bin.

The container may be removable from the top of the bin for emptying purposes.

The invention also includes a litter bin having an ashtray as defined above.

Brief Description of the Drawings Some embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the insertion of an ashtray of the invention in a litter bin; Figure 2 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of a preferred embodiment of an ashtray of the invention; Figure 3 is an underside view of the device of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section of a second embodiment of an ashtray of the invention; Figure 5 is an underside view of a third embodiment of an ashtray of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment; and Figure 7 shows a detail of Figure 1.

IE99O412 Detailed Description Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, this shows a conventional outdoor litter bin 1 which has a flat or curved top 2. An opening 3 is provided in the front of the bin to receive litter. A basket or other similar removable container (not shown) is housed within the bin below the opening 3 to receive the litter. An opening door 4 is provided at the front of the bin to enable access to the bin container for emptying purposes.

In accordance with the invention a circular aperture 5 is cut in the top surface 2 of the bin to receive a cylindrical ashtray 6 in accordance with the invention.

A preferred embodiment of an ashtray in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The ashtray 6 comprises a cylindrical container 7 which has a top plate 8 welded to the top of the container 7. The top plate 8 has an annular flange portion 9. There is an opening 10 at the centre of the top plate 8 which provides an inlet through which cigarette ends may be disposed into the interior of the container 7.

A domed extinguisher plate 11 is positioned within and centrally of the container 7 and is spaced at a short distance below the opening 10. The extinguisher plate is provided so that cigarettes can be extinguished if desired before they fall to the bottom of the container 7.

The bottom end of the container 7 is provided with an opening lid 15. The lid 15 pivots about a pivot 16 located near the edge portion or circumference of the lid 15. As shown in Figure 3, the lid 15 is pivotable from a fully closed position to an open position such that cigarette ends collected within the container 7 may be emptied from the container. The lid 15 may pivot through 360° from the closed to the open position.

IE990412 Because the ashtray is adapted for location outdoors it is exposed to the elements and some rain water will find its way into the interior of the container 7.

The rain water may mix with the ash within the container to cause the ash to stick to the top surface of the lid 15. This problem is overcome by the device of the invention providing that as the lid 15 pivots from the closed to the open position it moves relative to a cleaning edge 17 formed by the bottom edge portion of the walls of the container 7. As the lid 15 moves across the cleaning edge 17, in sliding arrangement, the edge 17 scrapes the surface of the container 15 to remove any build-up of ash on the surface.

Rotation of the lid 15 about the pivot 16 is caused by a shaft 20 disposed vertically, and to one side, within the container 7. A slotted bushing 21 is fixed to the shaft adjacent to the top end thereof. A second bushing 22 is located adjacent the bottom end of the shaft 20. A compression spring 23 is located between the bushings 21 and 22 and encircles the shaft 20. The shaft 20, spring 23 and bushings 21, 22 are all housed within a tube 24. A top end 25 of the shaft 20 is located in a slotted aperture 26 flush with the top surface of the top plate 8. The slotted aperture 26 is adapted to receive the end 27 of a key 28. The end 27 of the key 28 is adapted to engage with the top end 25 of the shaft 20 and slotted bushing 21, to rotate the shaft so as to open the lid 15.

Rotation of the shaft 20, by the key 28, through 180° causes the lid 15 to open to release cigarette ends in the container. Continued rotation through a further 180° causes the lid to close again. As described above, the opening and closing of the lid causes the lid surface to scrape against the cleaning edge 17.

To empty the container the key 28 is inserted into the slotted aperture 26, pressed downwards causing the lid 15 to move downwards just beyond the bottom edge 17 of the container 7. The key can now be rotated. When the lid has revolved through 360°, and is aligned with the container the spring retracts the lid into the container as well as ejecting the key.

IE990412 The ashtray of the invention may be simply and easily installed in existing litter bins on site. The installation operation involves cutting a 100mm diameter hole in the centre of the top surface 2 of the bin 1. The hole is slightly larger in diameter than the container 7 which is inserted into the hole 5. The flange 9 overlaps the top surface 2 of the bin and the ashtray is held in place by a cam arrangement as shown in Figure 7. This comprises a cam 13 bolted by a bolt 14 to the side of the container 7. To lock the container in position in a litter bin 1, the cam 13 is turned anticlockwise, in the direction of the arrow, until the cam surface comes into tight contact with the underside of the top 2 of the bin 1. The cam is maintained in this position by tightening the bolt 14. The ashtray of the invention may be installed in fabricated steel, cast iron and plastics bins. The requirement of a key to unload the container 7 is a tamper resistant measure. The provision of the compression spring 23 ensures that when the lid 15 has returned to its closed position the lid 15, shaft 20, bush 21 and key 28 snap upwards indicating that the lid 15 is in its closed position and ejecting the key.

Suitably, the container 7 and lid 15 are manufactured from stainless steel. The shaft 20 and bushings 21,22 may be made from brass.

Referring now to Figure 4, this shows a second embodiment of an ashtray of the invention. This comprises a container 7 which is similar in construction to that described above in relation to Figure 2, and like parts are denoted by like reference numerals. The main difference between this embodiment and the previously described embodiment resides in the design and operation of the lid on the underside of the container. In this embodiment the opening on the underside of the container is provided with a lid 30 which is pivotable about a pivot 31 located centrally of the lid 30. In this embodiment the pivot 31 is horizontally disposed such that the lid has a butterfly operation. Thus the lid 30 is adapted to pivot from a closed position in which it is disposed horizontally in the bottom of the container 7, to an open position in which it is inclined to the horizontal as shown in broken lines in Figure 4. The lid IE990412 may be operated by a shaft (not shown) extending laterally from the side of the container.

A further embodiment of an ashtray of the invention is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows the underside only of the device. In this embodiment the ashtray comprises a container 7 substantially of the same construction as that described above with reference to Figure 2, except that the shape in this case may be either cylindrical or rectangular. The main difference between this embodiment and the previously described embodiments resides in the operation of the lid in the bottom opening of the container 7. In this embodiment flanges 41 are provided to each side of the bottom opening of the containers 7. The flanges receive a rectangular lid 40 which is slideable, along the flanges 41 from a closed position to an open position, as shown in the drawing. A handle (not shown) may be provided to slide open the lid 40, Preferably, as the lid 40 slides to the open position it scrapes against a cleaning edge of the container 7 to clean the top-side of the lid 40 as described previously.

Yet a further embodiment is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. This drawing shows the top of a litter bin 1 similar to that described above in relation to Figure 1. The top wall 2 of the bin is provided with a centrally disposed aperture 5. The ashtray 6 comprises a cylindrical container 7 having a top lid 8 which has an annular flange 9. An opening 10 is provided in the top lid 8 to receive cigarette ends as previously described. However, in this embodiment the bottom end of the cylinder 7 is closed.

In use, the cylinder 7 fits within the aperture 5 in the top wall 2 of the bin.

The flange 9 rests on the top surface of the top 2. Releaseable securing means, are provided to secure the container 7 within the aperture 5. To empty the ashtray the means are released, and the container 7 is removed from the aperture 5 and emptied through the top opening 10.

Claims

1. An ashtray (6) comprising a container (7) having an inlet (10) at a top end to receive cigarette ends and the like, and an outlet at an opposite end for emptying the ashtray, the container being adapted to fit within an aperture (5) formed in the top (2) of a litter bin (1).

2. An ashtray as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the outlet of the container (7) is provided with an openable lid (15), and includes means (17) for cleaning ash from the upper surface of the lid.

3. An ashtray as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lid (15) is rotatable from a closed to an open position, and the cleaning means comprises an edge portion (17) of the container (7) which is in slideable contact with the upper surface of the lid as it moves from a closed to an open position.

4. An ashtray as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the lid (15) is rotated by means of a shaft (20) operated by a key (28).

5. An ashtray (6) adapted to fit within an aperture (5) in the top (2) of a litter bin (1), the ashtray (6) comprising a container portion (7) which is adapted to fit within said aperture (5) and a flange portion (9) adapted to engage with a wall (2) of the bin to retain the container (7) within the top part of the bin, and the container (7) is removable from the top (2) of the litter (1) for emptying purposes.