WO2008117071A1

WO2008117071A1 - Waste receptor

Info

Publication number: WO2008117071A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Fraser Blakemore
Original assignee: Roger Fraser Blakemore
Priority date: 2007-03-27
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Also published as: GB0705829D0

Abstract

A waste receptor (10) comprising a base member (12) upon which a receiving part (14) is selectively beatable to receive used chewing gum. The receiving part (14) is in the form of a sleeve (36) with an annular disk (34) at its lower end to act as a gum receiving flange.

Description

Waste Receptor

This invention concerns a waste receptor, a waste receptor system, and a method of dealing with used chewing gum.

The disposal of chewing gum is a significant problem in a wide range of environments, including in schools and outdoors, and especially in urban areas. Following use, chewing gum is often dropped on the ground or attached to fixtures or furniture such as under tables or desks, or is fixed to street furniture or elsewhere.

Significant costs are incurred by local authorities and others in clearing up used chewing gum, and such costs are often significantly higher than the actual retail value of the chewing gum involved. A further potential problem with chewing gum is for persons who chew gum whilst driving, who can then experience difficulties in safely discarding the used gum while still driving. ^'

According to the present invention there is provided a waste receptor, the receptor including a base member mountable to a fixture, and a receiving part selectively beatable on the base member, the receiving part having an external surface to receive used chewing gum adhered thereon.

The base member may include mounting formations to facilitate mounting on a fixture. The base member may be configured such that a receiving part is retained thereon by gravity.

The base member may include a locking formation to receiving locking means to lockably retain the receiving part thereon.

The base member may include fastening means to retain a receiving part thereon, and the fastening means may be in the form of cooperating portions of fleece and hook fastener on the base member and receiving part. The receiving part may be made of a plastics material. The receiving part may be disposable. The receiving part may be made of a recyclable material.

The receiving part may be coloured to be highly visible. The receiving part may have a smooth outer surface. The receiving part may have a matt finish.

In one embodiment the base member is in the form of a post mountable on the ground to be upstanding therefrom. The receiving part may be in the form of a receiving sleeve which is slidably locatable over the post. The receiving part may locate over only an upper part of the post. A formation may be provided on the post against which a lower part of the receiving sleeve is engageable.

A lower sleeve may be provided around the post below the receiving part.

An outwardly extending flange may be provided around the lower end of the receiving sleeve to receive any chewing gum which may fall of the outer surface of the receiving sleeve. The flange and the receiving sleeve may be discrete components.

Alignable holes may be provided in an upper part of the receiving sleeve and the top of the post through which a locking member can extend so as to retain the sleeve on the post. The hole in the top of the post and the locking member may both be threaded so as to be interengageable.

A cap member may be mountable on the top of the post to retain the receiving sleeve thereon. The cap member may be lockably mountable on the top of the post. A ground engageable mounting flange may be provided around the lower end of the post, which flange may include mounting formations.

The post may be made of metal and may be made of aluminium or stainless steel.

Alternatively the post may be made of a synthetic material, and may be made of a plastics material.

In a second embodiment the base member may be generally planar and may be mountable on a wall or other surface.

The base member may be at least generally rectangular, and may have mounting holes extending therethrough.

The receiving part may be generally planar and may include a lower lip to receive any chewing gum which falls thereoff. In a particular embodiment the base member is mountable on a surface of the interior of a vehicle.

The invention also provides a waste receptor system including a base member and a plurality of receiving parts according to any of the preceding seventeen paragraphs, whereby when used gum has been located on a receiving part on the base member, the receiving part can be replaced by a fresh receiving part.

The invention yet further provides a waste receptor system, the system including a receiving part according to any of said preceding seventeen paragraphs, the receiving part being removably mountable on a fixture.

The invention still further provides a method of dealing with used chewing gum, the method including providing a base member in a required location, locating a receiving part on the base member to receive used chewing gum adhered onto the receiving part, and replacing a soiled receiving part which has used chewing gum adhered thereto with a fresh receiving part.

The base member and receiving part may be according to any of said preceding seventeen paragraphs.

The soiled receiving part may be disposed of, cleaned or recycled.

The receiving parts may be replaced at periodic time intervals.

The receiving parts may be lockably retained on the base member.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first waste receptor according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view of the waste receptor of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the waste receptor of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view along the line A-A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective exploded view of a second waste receptor according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third waste receptor according to the invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional perspective view of the receptor of fig 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional perspective view of an upper part of the receptor of fig 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional perspective view of a top part of the receptor of fig 6; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the top part of the receptor of fig 6.

Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings show a first waste receptor 10 suitable for mounting for instance outside a school or other institution to receive used chewing gum. The receptor 10 includes a base member 12 and a receiving part 14.

The base member 12. comprises a ground engaging support part 16 with a bar 18 substantially half of which is locatable in the ground with the remainder of the bar 18 extending upwardly from the ground. A flange 20 is provided substantially mid-way along the bar 18, and in use locates in the ground just below ground level.

The base member 12 also comprises a main part 22 in the form of a downwardly open tube with a flange in the form of a square base plate 24 around its lower end. The main part 22 locates over the upper part of the bar 20, with the base plate 24 located on top of the flange 20, and substantially flush with ground level. Anti vandal bolts 26 extend through holes 28 in the base plate 24 and aligned holes in the flange 20.

At threaded hole 30 is provided in the upper end of the main part 22. An annular collar 32 is provided around the main part 22 a little over a third of the way thereup. The receiving part 14 comprises an annular plastic disc 34 which locates on the collar 32 and is of greater diameter thereto. The receiving part 14 also comprises a plastics material sleeve 36 which slidably locates on the main part 22 with the lower end thereof engaging on the disc 34. The sleeve 36 has a hole (not visible) in a closed upper end. A security bolt 38 is extendable through the hole in the sleeve 36 to engage in the hole 30 in the main part 22, to retain the sleeve 36 thereon. The bolt 38 has a head with a recess to receive an alien key. The receiving part 14 is made of a matt finish recyclable plastics material with a textured outer surface.

In use the receptor 10 will be located such that persons would place used chewing gum on the receiving part 14. Any chewing gum falling off the sleeve 36 should land on the disc 34. The receiving part 14 may be locked on the base member 12 by a padlock or other lock extending through the locking hoop 30. When required the receiving part 14 can be removed from the base member 12 following removal of any lock, to permit a fresh receiving part 14 to be located thereon.

In operation the receiving parts 14 can be changed on a regular periodic basis as required by the level of usage. The receiving parts 14 can be of an appropriate colour to be of high visibility and to contrast against any background to prevent persons walking thereinto. Such colours could include yellow, orange or white, and particularly if there is a contrasting background nearby. The base member 12 could typically be approximately 1.5m high, but other sizes can be chosen for instance outside a school for younger children.

A number of modifications could be made to this design whilst remaining within the scope of the invention. For instance the disc and sleeve could be made as an integral unit. Whilst in this instance the receiving part 14 can be recycled to form further receiving parts or other items, it may be that disposable receiving parts are used. The base member 12 could take a different shape, and could for instance have one or more limbs, and particularly where very heavy usage is expected.

There is thus described a receptor usable to receive used chewing gum, and which permits the receiving part to be regularly placed, and therefore essentially the receptor to be "cleaned". The receptor, and particularly the receiving part may be coloured or otherwise patterned to be aesthetically pleasing, and is well suited for advertising or other promotional or informational purposes.

Fig. 5 shows a second waste receptor 40. The receptor 40 has a base member 42 with a receiving part 44 removably mountable thereon. The base member 42 is in the form of a square metal plate 46 with mounting holes 48 adjacent each corner. Anti vandal bolts 50 can be used to mount the plate 46 on a wall. A pad 52 of fleece and hook fastener is provided over a central main portion of the plate 46.

The receiving part 44 is in the form of a sheet of plastics material with a corresponding fleece and hook fastener pad 54 on the rear side thereof which is engageable with the pad 52. A horizontal lip 56 is provided on a lower edge of the sheet 54.

In use the receptor 40 can be mounted in an appropriate location such as in a public toilet, or a toilet in a public house or other institution. Used chewing gum can be placed on the sheet 54, and any chewing gum which falls thereof should be caught on the lip 56. The sheet 54 can readily be replaced as required. In this instance the sheet 54 is made of a recyclable plastics material and can be recycled for further similar or other uses. The plate 46 and sheet 54 are typically 300m square, but other sizes or shapes could be used as required. In a further embodiment of the invention a similar arrangement to the receptor 40 could be provided, but of a smaller size for use in a vehicle interior for drivers to place used chewing gum thereon. Rather than a metal plate, a flexible plastics material base plate may be provided so as to be mountable on a curved surface. An adhesive may be provided on the rear of such a plate for mounting to the vehicle interior.

In a still further embodiment the invention may just include a receiving part. This could be removably mounted on an existing fixture such as a lamp post or other street furniture. Such an arrangement would be particularly suited for use at particular events such as concerts or sporting events. The receiving part may include mounting formations or fittings to for instance permit tying of the part to the fixture. Alternatively, or in addition, the part may have an adhesive backing so as to be self adhering to a fixture. The receiving part or parts can readily be removed following use, and replaced with a fresh part if necessary.

Figs 6-10 show a third waste receptor 58 usable in similar applications as the first waste receptor 10. The receptor 58 comprises a metal base 60 from which a rectangular section bar 62 upstands. A frusto conical lower plastics material sleeve 64 extends upwardly from and conceals the base 60.

At the top end of the lower sleeve 64 a circular plastics material flange

66 is provided to catch any falling chewing gum. Above the flange 66 an upper frusto conical plastics material sleeve 68 is provided. A domed plastics material cap 70 closes the upper end of the upper sleeve 68, and is lockably mountable on the top end of the bar 62 by a mounting arrangement 72,

The mounting arrangement 72 includes a threaded nut 74 mounted on the underside of the cap 70. A thread 76 is provided on the top end of the bar

62, with which the nut 74 is engageable. A diametric hole 78 extends through the cap 70, and can be engaged by a particularly shaped tool (not shown) to permit rotation of the cap 70.

With the third waste receptor 58, the upper sleeve 68 and flange 66 if necessary, can readily be removed for cleaning, recycling or replacement by removal of the domed cap 70. Once assembled the receptor 58 provides an aesthetically pleasing and generally vandal proof arrangement, wherein soiled components can readily be removed when required.

There are thus described a number of waste receptors, and waste receptor systems incorporating a plurality of interchangeable receiving parts enabling a fresh receiving part to be provided. The receptors can be inexpensively and attractively manufactured for long term use, and to overcome the problems outlined above of discarded chewing gum.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, including combining one or more of the above described features in a further embodiment. Rather than fleece and hook fasteners, other fastening means could be used. Different materials could be used in the various components. For instance, a post made of a synthetic material, and perhaps a plastics material, may be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features_, of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A waste receptor, the receptor including a base member mountable to a fixture, and a receiving part selectively beatable on the base member, the receiving part having an external surface to receive used chewing gum adhered thereon.

2. A receptor according to claim 1 , characterised in that the base member includes mounting formations to facilitate mounting on a fixture.

3. A receptor according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the base member is configured such that a receiving part is retained thereon by gravity.

4. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base member includes a locking formation to receiving locking means to lockably retain a receiving part thereon.

5. A receptor according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the base member includes fastening means to retain a receiving part thereon.

6. A receptor according to claim 5, characterised in that the fastening means is in the form of cooperating portions of fleece and hook fastener on the base member and receiving part.

7. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving part is made of a plastics material.

8. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving part is disposable.

9. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving part is made of a recyclable material.

10. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving part is coloured to be highly visible.

11. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving part has a smooth outer surface.

12. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving part has a matt finish.

13. A receptor according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base member is in the form of a post mountable on the ground to be upstanding therefrom.

14. A receptor according to claim 13, characterised in that the receiving part is in the form of a receiving sleeve which is slidably beatable over the post.

15. A receptor according to claim 14, characterised in that the receiving part locates over only an upper part of the post.

16. A receptor according to claim 15, characterised in that a formation' is provided on the post against which a lower part of the receiving sleeve is engageable.

17. A receptor according to claims 15 or 16, characterised in that a lower sleeve is provided around the post below the receiving part.

18. A receptor according to any of claims 15 to 17, characterised in that an outwardly extending flange is provided around the lower end of the receiving sleeve to receive any chewing gum which may fall of the outer surface of the receiving sleeve.

19. A receptor according to claim 18, characterised in that the flange and the receiving sleeve are discrete components.

20. A receptor according to any of claims 13 to 19, characterised in that alignable holes are provided in an upper part of the sleeve and the top of the post through which a locking member can extend so as to retain the sleeve on the post.

21. A receptor according to claim 20, characterised in that the hole in the top of the post and the locking member are both threaded so as to be interengageable.

22. A receptor according to any of claims 13 to 19, characterised in that a cap member is mountable on the top of the post to retain the receiving sleeve thereon.

23. A receptor according to claim 22, characterised in that the cap member is lockably mountable to the top of the post.

24. A receptor according to any of claims 13 to 23, characterised in that a ground engageable mounting flange is provided around the lower end of the post.

25. A receptor according to claim 24, characterised in that the flange includes mounting formations.

26. A receptor according to any of claims 13 to 25, characterised in that the post is made of metal and may be made of aluminium or stainless steel.

27. A receptor according to any of claims 13 to 25, characterised in that the post is made of synthetic material, and may be made of a plastics material. T/GB2008/001096

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28. A receptor according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the base member is generally planar.

29. A receptor according to claim 28, characterised in that the base member is mountable on a wall or other surface.

30. A receptor according to claims 28 or 29, characterised in that the base member is at least generally rectangular.

31. A receptor according to any of claims 28 to 30, characterised in that the base member has mounting holes extending therethrough.

32. A receptor according to any of claims 28 to 30, characterised in that the receiving part is generally planar.

33. A receptor according to claim 332, characterised in that the receiving part includes a lower lip to receive any chewing gum which falls thereof.

34. A receptor according to any of claims 28 to 33, characterised in that the base member is mountable on a surface of the interior of a vehicle.

35. A waste receptor system including a base member and a plurality of receiving parts according to any of the preceding claims whereby when used gum has been located on a receiving part on the base member, the receiving part can be replaced by a fresh receiving part.

36. A waste receptor system, the system including a receiving part according to any of claims 1 to 34, the receiving part being removably mountable on a fixture.

37. A method of dealing with used chewing gum, the method including providing a base member in a required location, locating a receiving part on the base member to receive used chewing gum adhered onto the receiving part, and replacing a soiled receiving part which has used chewing gum adhered thereto with a fresh receiving part.

38. A method according to claim 37, characterised in that the base member and receiving part are according to any of claims 1 to 34.

39. A receptor according to claims 37 or 38, characterised in that the soiled receiving part is disposed of, cleaned or recycled.

40. A method according to any of claims 37 to 39, characterised in that the receiving parts are replaced at periodic time intervals.

41. A method according to any of claims 37 to 40, characterised in that the receiving parts are lockably retained on the base member.