NL1029564C2 - Ashtray, smoking area with an ashtray. - Google Patents

Abstract

An ashtray ( 1 ) is placed in a floor space and provided with a stamping-out surface ( 2 ) at foot height. The ashtray is provided with an opening ( 3 ) next to the stamping-out surface that leads to a receptacle ( 5 ) for cigarette butts. The stamping-out surface ( 2 ) is preferably bowed. Preferably the ashtray does not protrude from the floor.

Description

Ashtray, smoking area with an ashtray.

The invention relates to an ashtray.

The invention also relates to a smoking room provided with an ashtray.

5

Smoking is generally less and less tolerated and therefore often moves outside. With this, the waste / litter (butts) often moves outside. This problem is further emphasized in a recent report commissioned by "The Netherlands Clean", which shows that cigarette waste (cigarette butts) is an important and increasingly important part of litter.

Due to the legal smoking ban, companies and (public) institutions create concentration places (hotspots) at entrances to buildings and in waiting areas (inside and outside) and "outdoor" smoking places. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas, either indoors (often a separate room or cabin with an extraction unit) or outdoors.

Such smoking areas are often provided with standard waste bins and / or ashtrays. Although it would be thought that this would reduce the problem of litter in and around such smoking areas, the opposite often appears to be the case. Litter in the form of butts is clearly visible and is a major problem. Butts give the smoking room a polluted impression, which in itself is a problem, but which also results in smokers avoiding the "dirty" smoking rooms, which only increases the problem of roaming smoke.

25

It is an object of the invention to provide an ashtray and a smoking room with which to make the above-mentioned problem more manageable.

To this end, the ashtray is characterized in that it is fixed, fixable or can be placed, is provided with an exit surface at the foot height, and is provided with an opening next to the exit surface which leads to a receptacle for butts.

1029564 2

The smoking area is characterized in that the ashtray is fixed, fixable or placeable on or in a floor surface, and in a fixed or placed state at foot height is provided with an exit surface, and next to the exit surface is provided with an opening leading to a receiving section.

5

The invention is based on the following insight:

One is used to extinguish a cigarette / cigar before depositing it in a waste bin. However, there is a deeply rooted habit of extinguishing a cigarette / butt with the foot, the cigarette / butt is then dropped to the floor out of intuitive action and kicked with the (front) foot or sometimes also with the heel of the shoe from. Of course, one can then pick up the butt and put it in a waste bin or ashtray that is usually present in or near the smoking room, but in practice a lot of people leave it behind, and there are also many people for whom this action is simply not possible due to physical defects. is possible.

By fixing the ashtray and providing a kick-out surface at the height of the foot, it is not necessary to break the rooted habit. By fixing the ashtray, solidity is given to the ashtray, so that one can place the forefoot on it and put force on it. Foot height is a height between a tree height below to two tree heights above the ground surface. A typical tree height is 15-20 centimeters, so that the distance is between -20 and + 40 cm. A kick-out surface is, within the scope of the invention, a surface large enough to place a forefoot or heel of a shoe and strong and sturdy enough to extinguish a cigarette with the foot. After the cigarette has been extinguished with the foot, it is possible to push the butt, without bending over, into the opening provided next to the kick-off surface, after which the butt is collected in the receiving section and no longer forms part of the litter problem. In this way, in a manner that is in line with the existing, rooted habits of the smokers, the problem is solved in a simple manner, or at least alleviated.

The ashtray is preferably fixed in such a way that the kick-out surface extends between 5 centimeters below to 20 cm above the ground surface. Too large a distance between the ground surface and the kick-out surface requires too much effort for at least some people.

Preferably, at least a part of the kick-out surface is situated at substantially ground level and the ashtray does not protrude, or hardly so, above ground level. At ground height means that the distance in vertical direction between the kick-off surface on the one hand and the ground surrounding the 1029564 3 on the other is less than 2 cm, preferably less than 0.5 cm. Not or hardly excellent means that the other upper parts of the ashtray also extend at ground level. As a result, the chance of people tripping over or in the ashtray is small.

The kick-out surface is preferably provided with one or more inclined surfaces that slope towards the opening.

A sloping surface leads the kicked out butt to the opening. This makes it easier to slide the butt into the opening with your foot. In addition, the biggest problem is roaming the butts over time. Butts tend to roam either because others walk over it and move around without paying attention, or because of the wind. The inclined surface will in such cases automatically lead the butt to the opening, whereby at least a part of the butts will be caught without roaming.

The opening is preferably positioned at an upward angle with respect to the edge of the kick-off surface next to the opening. Where the inclined surface leads the butt towards the opening, an upwardly directed opening ensures that butts are easier to slide into the opening 15, either intentionally (which is of course preferred) or unintentionally, for example, by the wind. This reduces the problem in all cases. For the purposes of the invention, pointing upwards means that a plane through the opening is directed upwards from the edge of the kick-off surface.

Preferably, the opening is essentially a vertical opening. This gives a good result. The dimension of the opening in the vertical direction is preferably at least 1 centimeter.

A butt is typically about 2 to 2.5 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. A height of 1 cm from the opening makes it possible to simply slide the cigarette butt into the opening. Preferably, the dimension of the opening in the vertical direction is less than 5, but more than 2.5 cm. Too high an opening will tend to also slide other, larger waste, such as cans and the like, into the opening. Although this in itself does not have to cause a problem, this may quickly cause a blockage of the opening, after which the ashtray loses its function. Preferably, the opening is also large enough to allow cigar butts to have a larger diameter (maximum 2 to 2.5 cm)

The opening is preferably formed by an edge portion of the ashtray and the kick-off surface, the kick-off surface being located at the edge portion below the edge portion 1029564 ----.

4 extends. As a result, the risk of accidents is reduced and a direct view of the smoke waste is reduced or eliminated.

The ashtray is preferably constructed in such a way that there is no direct view through the opening for smoke waste present in the collection section. Conventional ashtrays allow a direct view of the smoke waste. This gives the whole a polluted impression, which either frightens people or gives the impression that the environment is already polluted anyway, so that people tend to pay less attention to cleanliness.

The kick-off surface is preferably curved.

For a kick-out surface in the form of a flat part on a side provided with an inclined slope, a butt of the flat part of the kick-off surface must be pushed with the foot on the sloping slope. A convex kick-out surface has the advantage that it "automates" the sliding of the butt, that is to say that only a slight foot movement, or even no foot movement, suffices for the stink after kicking out via the inclined surface formed by the curvature of the kick-out surface. make the opening move. The chance that kicked-out butts start to roam is therefore reduced. This also makes it possible to use nicer shapes, such as round, ellipse shapes, but also long lines / streets, with curves and corners (cigarette butt). The kick-out surface has a shape that is curved on at least one side. The difference in height over the curvature is preferably between 2 and 5 cm, which on the one hand is sufficient for sliding the butt towards the opening, on the other hand does not cause any problems with safety. A preferred curvature is a curvature that increases outwardly, preferably on the basis of a logarithmic curve. A curved shape also reduces the chance of tripping compared to a shape with a sudden transition between a flat part and a sloping part. An increasing curvature provides on the one hand a fairly flat piece on which one can extinguish the butt, while on the other hand a fairly strong slope can be made for causing the kicked-out cigarette to end up in the opening.

The ashtray is buried in the ground in embodiments and preferably sunk in such a way that the roadwork and the upper side of the ashtray extend essentially in one plane. This reduces the chance of tripping and thus increases safety.

In other embodiments, the ashtray is fixed to the ground as a separate unit. In that case the ashtray protrudes above the ground and is preferably fixed to the ground against a wall 1029564, more preferably fixed to the ground at an angle. The chance of people tripping over the ashtray is then small.

For the receiving section there are a number of preferred embodiments: The kick-out surface forms a "lid" on the receiving section. This receiving section serves to absorb the forces that may come on the "lid". Preferred is a receiving portion that exhibits a tubular shape, preferably forming a round tube. This is the best way to absorb the forces. The receiving part is preferably designed, for example, in the form of a round tube, made from concrete, but can also be made from (especially in connection with production, transport costs and the like) in polyester concrete or plastic, preferably flame-resistant or flame-retardant.

Preferably, for ashtrays buried, the underside of the receiving section is provided with holes in the bottom with a diameter smaller than that of a cigarette (sieve effect). This makes it possible for rainwater to flow into the existing subsurface. Preferably, a layer with a granular structure is located above the holes. If the butts are on the bottom as a concentrated slurry, the chances are very large that the channels will become clogged. A layer with a granular structure helps to prevent this and can serve as a water buffer. Such a buffer can be useful with a solid soil, in particular during heavy rainfall. Preferably, a fine-meshed, preferably convex, perforated plate is provided on top, which serves as a screen which concentrates the water through the mouth and the butts at the top.

In embodiments, the receiving portion is removable, so that it can be emptied.

In other embodiments, the kick-out surface is detachable or foldable, so that the collecting section below can be emptied and cleaned.

In yet other embodiments, the ashtray is provided with a suction opening through which it is possible to empty the receiving section located below the kick-out surface and possibly flush it. The operations for emptying the ashtray are preferably both simple and hygienic. Emptying with a “vacuum cleaner”, or with larger systems the flushing with 1029564 6 liquid is a simple operation. With this last method, the layer with a granular structure and the perforated plate is preferably not present, nor are there any drain holes in it. the bottom. Emptying can in principle be done with a normal vacuum cleaner, but professionally with a mobile suction unit placed on the back of the cleaner, 5 (take the example of a leaf cleaner only with a reverse effect) that can also rid the environment of further small litter .

The suction opening for emptying by means of a vacuum cleaner can be placed in a central part of the exit surface, but because such a central part is often also a pressure point, the suction opening is preferably placed outside a central part of the exit surface, ie further to the edge, but so that the nozzle can move freely (edge should not be in the way). The nozzle is adapted for this to the sloping suction position.

It is mentioned that many variants of ashtrays are now on the market, in particular table ashtrays and standing ashtrays. However, all products have openings at 15 hand height and do not solve the problem. It is not possible to first extinguish the cigarette with the foot on the ashtray before it can be deposited with the foot in the ashtray and these existing products are also unsuitable in terms of size, shape, placement and strength.

These and further aspects of the invention are described below and illustrated with reference to the drawing:

In the drawing:

Figures 1 to 7 different embodiments of an ashtray according to the invention.

The figures are not drawn to scale, the same parts are generally designated by the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of an ashtray 1 according to the invention. The floor level is indicated in this figure by horizontal dotted lines. The ashtray 1 in this example 1029564 7 is used in the floor. The ashtray contains a kick-out surface 2, alongside which openings 3 are provided. A typical dimension for a round or square kick-out surface is between 100 and 900 cm2. With elongated, trough-shaped ashtrays, the dimensions in the transverse direction are typically 15 to 30 cm. The kick-off surface is at foot height. In this preferred embodiment, a central part of the kick-off surface is at ground level, and on a surface with the edge 6. The kick-off surface is provided with an inclined part 4 that slopes downwards. This way, kicked-out cigarettes are guided to the opening in a simple manner. Preferably, the kick-off surface, in this example the part 4 of kick-off surface 2, extends below the edge 6. This reduces the chance of people tripping or getting caught in the heels if they walk over the ashtray. The opening here is a substantially vertically oriented opening with a vertical dimension dv. This height dv of opening 3 is preferably more than 1 cm, so that butts can easily slide into the openings and preferably less than 5, preferably less than 4 cm, but more than 2.5 cm, so that much larger objects are difficult to can be pushed through the opening, but smoking waste is. In this preferred example, the kick-out surface 2 is curved with a curvature R, which curvature R increases from the central part 2a to the opening. This provides a fairly flat central portion 2a on which the cigarette can be easily extinguished, and a fairly steep portion 4 so that the cigarette simply slides into the opening. Such a course also reduces the risk of slipping. The collecting part 5 is provided with holes 7 in the bottom for draining water (rain). It is also provided with a granular layer 8 on which a grid 9 is provided. This grid and the granular layer prevent holes 7 from becoming clogged. The ashtray is provided with a suction opening 10. In this example, the suction opening is provided in the kick-out surface, below the ground level, outside the central part 2a. In this example, the receiving portion 5 is designed in a tubular form, which best absorbs the forces. It is indicated by means of an eye that the construction 25 is such that collected butts are not visible. Whether this condition is met is very easy to determine experimentally, as well as by drawing lines from eye level (between 1.50 and 1.90 meters) through the opening or openings. If these lines only affect an upper part of the receiving part, the condition is met. Modifications to the shape to meet this criterion can also be easily implemented. The burning butt is deposited on the kick-off surface by a user, the butt is extinguished with the foot, then the butt is pushed through the sloping surface 4 to the opening 1029564 g by the user's foot, or automatically due to the sloping nature, to opening 3 led. The butt is thus automatically guided into the opening from a horizontal position via the inclined surface. Because the opening extends upwards relative to the inclined surface, the chance that (as could occur with a purely horizontal opening), the butt is slid over the opening or bounces.

Figure 2 shows in cross-section another embodiment of the ashtray according to the invention. In this embodiment several kick-off surfaces 2 are provided, each provided with an inclined part 4 which leads to an opening 3. The tops of the kick-off surfaces lie in one plane and the openings are vertical. This prevents or reduces the chance of tripping.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment, which is a variation of the embodiment of Figure 2, in which the central kick-off surface 2 is flat.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment which can be placed or fixed on the floor and against a wall, the floor and the wall being indicated by dotted lines. The ashtray contains two exit surfaces that lead to a central opening. The height h of the ashtray is typically between 10 and 25 centimeters. This embodiment is less suitable for installation in the ground because it is possible to stick with the heels in the opening 3. A drawback of this embodiment is that the opening is horizontal and one has a direct view of the smoke trap.

Figure 5 shows a simple embodiment of the ashtray in which the kick-out surface is flat. Also in this embodiment, a direct view of the collected smoke waste is not possible. J

Disadvantages compared to the most preferred embodiments are a slightly increased risk of tripping and furthermore, the butt must be actively pushed into the opening due to the absence of an inclined surface. An advantage is that a direct view of the collected smoke waste is impossible.

Figure 6 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. In this drawing, the ashtray is partially placed in the floor.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment. In this embodiment the suction opening 10 is placed on the side, and the kick-out surface is provided with a hinge 11 so that it can be folded out. Although it is possible to make the kick-off surface detachable or foldable as shown in this figure, use is preferably made of a fixed kick-off surface 2 which extends below the edge 6 (see figure 1) and is provided with a suction opening.

In this embodiment, the kick-out surface runs over abruptly from a plane horizontal 1029564 part to a plane (i.e. with a virtually infinitely large radius of curvature) that slopes downwards. A smoother transition from a flat portion to an inclined portion, so a curved appearance (as shown in the previous figures), has the advantage of a greater chance that the extinguished cigarette will slide to the opening and the user generally has to make less effort . This figure also diagrammatically shows the width W of the kick-out surface which, for example, and preferably lies between 15 and 35 cm.

It will be clear that many variations are possible within the scope of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the examples given above.

10 1029564

Claims (24)

An ashtray, characterized in that the ashtray (1) is fixed, fixable or placeable on or in a floor surface, and is provided with an exit surface (2) in the fixed or placed state at foot height 5, and has an opening next to the exit surface (3) is provided that leads to a butcher receiving section (5). Ashtray according to claim 1, characterized in that the ashtray is fixed in such a way that the kick-out surface (2) extends between 5 centimeters below to 20 cm above the ground surface. 3. Ashtray according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a part of the kick-out surface is located at substantially at ground level and that the ashtray does not protrude, or hardly so, above ground level. Ashtray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kick-out surface is provided with one or more inclined surfaces (4) that slopes towards the opening. Ashtray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (3) is positioned at an upward angle with respect to the edge of the kick-off surface next to the opening. Ashtray according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening is essentially a vertical opening. Ashtray according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the dimension (dv) of the opening (3) in the vertical direction is at least 1 centimeter. Ashtray according to claim 7, characterized in that the dimension (dv) of the opening in the vertical direction is less than 5 centimeters. 9. Ashtray according to claim 8, characterized in that the dimension (dv) of the opening in the vertical direction is less than 3 centimeters. An ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening is formed between an edge portion (6) of the ashtray and the exit surface, the exit surface (2) extending below the edge section at the location of the edge section (6) . 1029564 Ashtray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ashtray is constructed in such a way that there is no direct view through the opening (3) of smoke waste present in the collection section. Ashtray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kick-out surface 5 (2) is curved. Ashtray according to claim 12, characterized in that the kick-out surface has a curvature (R), whereby the curvature to the outside increases. Ashtray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving part (5) has a tubular shape. An ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ashtray is buried in the ground. An ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the ashtray is fixed to the ground as a separate unit. 17. Ashtray as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the receiving part is provided on the underside with holes (7) in the bottom with a diameter that is smaller than that of a cigarette. Ashtray according to claim 17, characterized in that a layer (8) with a granular structure is located above the holes (7). 19. Ashtray according to claim 18, characterized in that a fine-meshed, preferably convex, perforated plate (9) is provided on the granular layer (8). An ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving part is removable. An ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kick-out surface is detachable or foldable. An ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ashtray is provided with a suction opening (10) for evacuating the receiving section located below the kick-out surface. 23. Ashtray according to claim 22, characterized in that the suction opening is located in the exit surface in a part between a central part (2a) of the exit surface and the opening (3). A smoking room provided with an ashtray according to any one of the preceding claims. 1029564