WO2023012412A1

WO2023012412A1 - Cigarette bin suitable for collection of cigarette stubs

Info

Publication number: WO2023012412A1
Application number: PCT/FR2022/051149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julien PAQUE
Original assignee: Tchaomegot Collecte
Priority date: 2021-08-06
Filing date: 2022-06-15
Publication date: 2023-02-09
Also published as: EP4380389A1; FR3125946A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cigarette bin (100) for flammable objects such as cigarette stubs, comprising a hollow tiered structure having: - an upper compartment (10) comprising a hopper (11) having, at the bottom (11a), a hatch (12) whose actuation permits a change-over from a storage configuration, in which the hatch (12) is closed for storage of the cigarette stubs, to a configuration (C2) for emptying of said hopper (11), and in which said hatch (12) is opened to allow the cigarette stubs to drop by gravity through said open hatch (12), and a lower compartment (20) which is configured to receive a receptacle for collecting the cigarette stubs and which is placed in position beneath said hatch (12) of the hopper (11) so as to be able to fill with said cigarette stubs when said hatch (12) is opened in the emptying configuration (C2).

Description

Title: urban ashtray suitable for collecting cigarette butts

Technical area

The object of the present invention relates to the field of urban ashtrays.

The object of the present invention relates more particularly to an urban ashtray intended for collective use and allowing the butts of cigarettes or equivalent to be collected in an urban environment to promote the recovery of these butts and send them to industrial sectors specialized in depollution. and the recycling of these butts.

The object of the present invention thus finds many advantageous applications by addressing communities (town halls, agglomerations, communities of agglomerations, large cities, etc.) which seek to set up in urban spaces a network of connected ashtrays ecological and environmental.

Of course, it is understood that the object of the present invention also finds many other advantageous applications by addressing all entities of the administration, business, restaurant, café or other type who are concerned about the environment and the public space, and who seek to install collective ashtrays for their employees and/or their customers.

By ashtray is meant throughout the present description which follows all types of devices capable of containing and/or storing objects such as flammable objects such as cigarette butts or the like.

Prior art

It is known that cigarette butts, once the cigarettes have been smoked, are classified as hazardous waste under properties HP6 (acute toxicity) by calculation and HP 14 (ecotoxicity) by ecotoxicity tests.

The nicotine concentration in the cigarette butt is the main factor behind this classification.

In addition to this toxicity, cigarette butts represent one of the most important wastes in the world with more than 4,300 billion cigarette butts discarded each year in nature; this represents, by way of illustration, nearly 40% of the waste present in the oceans.

It should be noted here that a cigarette butt decomposes in nature after about 15 years; during this period, the cigarette butt alone pollutes up to 500 liters of water. For these reasons, the recycling of cigarette butts has become a real ecological and environmental issue.

However, despite this proven toxicity and alarming figures, the Applicant notes that very few means have been deployed so far for the implementation of the recycling of cigarette butts, for technical, financial and/or ecological reasons. /environmental.

Today, the Applicant has developed a technology for depolluting cigarette butts by bringing fibers from cigarette butts into contact with a dense fluid under pressure, preferably a fluid in the supercritical state (also called supercritical fluid) .

Such supercritical fluid depollution technology is described in document WO2021/079050A1.

Bringing a supercritical fluid into contact with the fibers to be depolluted makes it possible to extract from the fibers a very large majority of toxic substances (mainly nicotine) and odors accumulated in cigarette filters.

Such extraction of toxic substances and odors accumulated in cigarette filters by supercritical fluid technology allows reliable and effective depollution of fibers; after depollution, these fibers become clean and can be reused for new materials and/or other applications.

Such supercritical fluid depollution technology is moreover respectful of the environment.

Its performance (efficiency, respect for the environment, cost) makes it possible to envisage the development of a real industrial recycling sector for cigarette butts, making it possible to recover the depolluted fibres.

Such decontaminated fibers are in fact very appreciated for their thermal and/or phonic properties, their filtering capacities and/or their mechanical properties, but also for their low cost and their ecological and environmentally friendly character.

If the pollution control technology exists, the Applicant is now facing a real difficulty in collecting the raw material, namely cigarette butts.

The Applicant indeed submits that the ashtrays known from the prior art do not currently make it possible to optimize the collection of cigarette butts.

Communities seeking to set up networks of urban ashtrays such as those known from the prior art often encounter real difficulties in the effectiveness of the system. The Applicant submits that the solutions of the prior art in this field mainly focus on issues related to the cleanliness of sidewalks.

On the other hand, none of the solutions of the prior art provides solutions adapted to the manipulations of the operators taking into account the level of toxicity of the cigarette butts which are today considered as real toxic waste (classification HP6 and HP 14). The Applicant also observes that the service companies and the municipal (or other) agents in charge of the maintenance and management of these networks are forced to make their rounds periodically, which can prove fruitless: very often , their round is not optimized because some ashtrays are empty while others are full, or even overflow. The carbon footprint linked to this collection is therefore very high, which can slow down certain players in this approach, which is basically ecological and respectful of the environment.

The Applicant submits that none of the prior art solutions is fully satisfactory.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

The present invention aims more particularly to remedy at least one of the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing an urban ashtray in particular facilitating handling by operators and the collection of cigarette butts.

The object of the present invention is an ashtray for a flammable object of the cigarette butt type which more particularly comprises a stepped hollow structure comprising a first so-called upper compartment and a second so-called lower compartment provided under the upper compartment.

According to the invention, the upper compartment comprises in its interior a hopper having at the bottom an operable hatch whose actuation allows the passage of a storage configuration in which the hatch is closed for storage of cigarette butts in a volume of storage defined by the inner wall of the hopper to a hopper emptying configuration in which the hatch is open for gravity dumping of cigarette butts through the open hatch.

According to the invention, the lower compartment is configured to receive a container for collecting cigarette butts which is positioned under the hatch of the hopper so as to be able to fill with cigarette butts when the hatch is opened in the emptying configuration.

Advantageously, the internal wall and/or the bottom of the hopper are made at least partially of a fireproof material. The use of flame retardant material allows for safe storage of cigarette butts without the risk of fire.

It can be a material such as aluminum or steel.

Of course, it is understood here that all other types of material having fire resistance and thermal insulation properties similar to those of aluminum or steel can be used.

Advantageously, the container under the hopper can be of the sealed bag type.

Preferably, the waterproof bag comprises closing means comprising, for example, two quick-closing buckles.

Preferably, it is also possible to roll the opening of the bag several times on itself and close the bag hermetically.

Advantageously, the hopper also comprises two quick-release buckles capable of cooperating in a repeatable manner with the two closing buckles of said bag so as to allow the bag to be attached to the hopper by snap-fastening.

Alternatively, the container can be attached under the hopper using magnets or temporary assembly means using Velcro®-type buckles. Advantageously, the ashtray according to the present invention comprises means for displaying the filling level of the hopper.

In an advantageous embodiment, the display means comprise at least one display window provided on the upper compartment and configured to display the storage volume of the hopper.

Other means of visualization are possible here.

The Applicant submits that the presence of these means of visualization also has an educational nature and makes it possible to raise public awareness of the process of collecting cigarette butts.

Advantageously, the ashtray according to the present invention further comprises an electronic module for monitoring the filling level of the hopper.

In an advantageous embodiment, this module comprises at least one filling level sensor configured to measure a filling level of said hopper and transmit information relating to the measured filling level to a central processing unit which is configured to process this information by comparing it to a predetermined threshold filling level.

Preferably, the central processing unit is configured to, when following the comparison the filling level reaches the predetermined threshold filling level, generate and transmitting a filling signal to a remote central server via communication means.

In one embodiment, the at least one hopper fill level sensor is configured to measure the hopper fill level periodically, such as hourly or daily.

Advantageously, the at least one filling level sensor is a scale configured to measure a total mass of cigarette butts stored in the hopper.

Advantageously, the at least filling level sensor is a laser sensor capable of carrying out a telemetric distance measurement and configured to carry out a measurement of the filling level of the hopper.

In an advantageous embodiment, the upper compartment comprises on its peripheral periphery at least one opening dimensioned for the passage of a cigarette butt, the at least one opening opening into the hopper for the introduction of cigarette butts from the exterior of the ashtray in the hopper.

In this mode, it is possible, for example, to envisage that the at least one filling level sensor is a counter positioned at the level of the opening and configured to count the number of cigarette butts passing through this opening.

Advantageously, the at least one filling level sensor is an infrared camera oriented in the direction of the storage volume to capture an image comprising the cigarette butts stored in the hopper.

Advantageously, the electronic module comprises geolocation means configured to transmit to the central server via the communication means information on the geolocation of the ashtray concomitantly with the transmission of the filling signal.

Advantageously, the electronic module is powered by electrical power supply means comprising at least one solar panel incorporating photovoltaic cells.

Such means can incorporate one or more batteries of the long-life type.

Preferably, the at least one solar panel at least partially covers the upper part of the upper compartment.

The power supply can also be carried out on the electrical network.

Advantageously, the lower compartment comprises a door, the opening of which allows access to the hatch under the hopper and to the collection container.

Preferably, the closing of the access door is secured by locking/unlocking means operable by a key of the type, for example spanner key or equivalent. Preferably, the locking/unlocking means comprise an electromagnet capable of securing the closing of the door, such an electromagnet being able to be actuated remotely with a communication terminal.

Advantageously, the lower compartment comprises means for holding the collection container in position under the hopper.

Thus, by the various functional and structural technical characteristics above, the Applicant proposes a container for the storage of a toxic object particularly adapted to promote the collection and manipulations of the operators in charge of the collection of cigarette butts.

Brief description of figures

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below with reference to the appended Figures 1 to 5 illustrating two embodiments which are devoid of any limiting character and in which:

[Fig.l]

FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ashtray in storage configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig.2]

FIG. 2 represents a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ashtray in emptying configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Fig.3]

Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an ashtray according to Figures 1 and 2;

[Fig.4]

FIG. 4 represents a schematic view of an embodiment of an electronic module for monitoring the filling level of the hopper of an ashtray; and [Fig.5]

FIG. 5 represents a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of an ashtray in storage configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of embodiments

The present invention will now be described in the following with reference in conjunction to Figures 1 to 5 appended to the description. As mentioned in the preamble, the recovery of cigarette butts is a problem for which there are currently few effective solutions.

On the other hand, the Applicant now holds an effective technology for decontaminating the fibers of cigarette butts by applying a supercritical fluid.

The implementation of such a technology covered in particular by document W02021/079050A1 makes it possible to envisage the development of a real sector for the recovery of depolluted fibers by allowing the use of these fibers to design in particular thermal insulators and/or phonics, filters, biodegradable plastic objects with commercial outlets in the field of construction, textiles and any other field requiring an insulating fiber.

To do this, it is necessary to improve the collection of cigarette butts.

The term "cigarette butt" means here the remainder of the cigarette after consumption thereof, such a butt being considered here as toxic waste due to the presence of a large quantity of nicotine. Obviously, by cigarette butt, we must understand any type of cigarette including (or not) a filter.

One of the objectives of this agreement is to provide a solution for the storage and collection of cigarette butts taking into consideration the associated health, safety and ecological risks.

The present invention makes it possible to achieve the various objectives mentioned above by designing an ashtray 100 such as that illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 or 2, which is in the form of real street furniture which can be installed everywhere in the public space.

In the example described here and illustrated in these figures 1 and 2, the ashtray 100 has the shape of a prism with a hexagonal base. It will be understood here that other forms can of course be considered.

Conventionally, the ashtray 100 according to the present invention comprises a base (not shown here) adapted to be sealed to the ground to allow the fixing of the ashtray 100.

Such a base sealed to the ground makes it possible to prevent the theft of the ashtray 100.

In this example, the ashtray 100 has a stepped hollow structure comprising an upper compartment 10 and a lower compartment 20 provided under the upper compartment 10.

As can be understood in the following description, the upper compartment 10 is intended for the storage of cigarette butts while the lower compartment 20 is intended for the collection of cigarette butts. This upper compartment 10 is located at a man's height, which facilitates its use by the end consumer (here the smoker). The lower compartment 20 is for the exclusive use of the operator who is in charge of the collection.

In this example, the upper compartment 10 has a hopper 11 inside it.

This hopper 11 is characteristic of the present invention.

It has a bottom l ia and an internal wall 11b which matches the internal periphery of the upper compartment 10.

In this example, the inner wall 11b and/or the bottom 1 ia are made at least partially of steel and/or aluminum, which gives it fireproof properties allowing the hopper 11 to contain flammable objects without risk of fire. .

The hopper 11 is thus configured to store cigarette butts in a durable manner.

In this example, smokers can thus introduce their spent butts into the various openings 14 which are provided on the outer wall of the upper compartment 10 and which each open onto a storage volume defined by the hopper 11.

Here, the openings 14 are sized for the passage of a cigarette butt.

We can also consider that smokers can come and dump all their cigarette butts stored at home in the ashtray 100 in order to offer a voluntary drop-off point. In this case, the ashtray 100 comprises another opening of larger dimensions (not shown here), for example another hatch opening into the storage volume of the hopper.

When the hopper 11 is full, two methods are possible to detect it.

A visual approach and an automatic approach.

In this example, both methods are implemented.

According to a first so-called visual method, the upper compartment 10 comprises on its peripheral periphery display means 13 making it possible to display the level of cigarette butts stored in the hopper 11. These means 13 can for example consist of one or more windows 13a serving as a gauge to view the fill level. Such visualization also makes it possible to raise the awareness of the user-smoker. One can for example affix to this gauge the volume of cigarette butts collected with the possible outlets, which will encourage the latter to use the ashtray.

According to a second automated method, provision is made for the integration of an electronic module 30 (FIG. 3) which is configured for the automated monitoring of the filling level of the hopper. To this end, the module 30 comprises at least one sensor 31 of the IOT (for "Internet Of Things") type configured to measure a filling level of the hopper 11.

In this example, the sensor 31 is therefore configured to measure a physical quantity relating to a filling level of the hopper.

Such a sensor 31 can for example take the form of at least one of the following forms:

- a scale capable of measuring the total mass of cigarette butts stored in the hopper; and/or an infrared camera preferably oriented in the direction of the storage volume to capture an image comprising the cigarette butts stored in the hopper 11; and or

- a laser rangefinder capable of measuring a filling distance (level)

- a counter ; and/or light sensors on different thresholds. These sensors are covered and activated by the filling of cigarette butts, lowering the luminosity; and/or contact sensors positioned at defined spacings; and or

- an optical sensor; and/or an ultrasonic sensor positioned on the top of the tank to calculate the spacing and the filling rate.

In this example, the sensor 31 therefore performs a measurement relating to the filling level of the hopper, preferably periodically (for example every 2 or 3 hours).

This information is recorded on storage means (not represented here) then is transmitted to the central processing unit 32 which processes this information.

In this example, the storage means may take the form, for example, of a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM , PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, or other.

The central unit 32 can take the form of an integrated circuit, a processor, an electronic chip, a CPU or any equivalent module capable of integrating on-board intelligence (Arduino card type (registered trademark) or Raspberry (registered trademark).

In this example, the central unit 32 compares the information relating to the measured filling level with a predetermined threshold filling level. This may be, for example, a number of cigarette butts, a total mass of cigarette butts, a change in distance, etc.

The central unit 32 therefore compares a measured physical quantity representative of the actual filling level with a determined value representative of a determined threshold filling level. If this comparison leads to a result making it possible to deduce that the hopper is filled or almost filled, the central unit 32 then generates a filling signal which is transmitted via means of communication 33 (integrated SIM card, network type LP WAN and WAN , or module defined for Arduino and Raspberry type RJ45 network card or ENC2 chip, LOT network to a central SC server which is remote.

The filling signal is sent together with information relating to the geographical position of the ashtray 100 which is supplied by geolocation means 34 of the GPS for example.

The central server SC can therefore collect in real time the filling information of a network of ashtrays 100 dispersed throughout a city or a determined urban space and can then generate a road map for the operator who is responsible for collecting the butts.

In this example, the operator thus receives a route map with the various ashtrays full or almost full for which collection is necessary. At the same time, he receives all the quantities of cigarette butts collected as well as the benefits of the action (water saved, CO2 not emitted, etc.)

This route map can for example be transmitted directly to the communication terminal T of the operator, for example a “Smartphone”.

It is also possible to provide for the integration in the ashtray 100 of a sensor of the gyroscope or vibration sensor type (not shown here) to detect any attempt to vandalize the ashtray and thus warn the operator in real time on his terminal T that an attempt vandalism or theft of the ashtray. It will be noted here that, in order to use technologies that respect the environment (zero carbon emission), provision is made in this example to equip the upper part 10a of the upper compartment 10 with at least one solar panel incorporating cells photovoltaic. n therefore understands here that the operator is warned on his terminal T that the ashtray 100 is filled with cigarette butts and that a collection of these cigarette butts is necessary to empty the hopper.

Once there, the operator with a spanner key activates the locking/unlocking means 22 to open the door 21 and gain access to the interior of the lower compartment 20.

In the example described here, it is a simple locking system that works with a spanner key type that only the operator has. Of course, all other locking/unlocking systems can be envisaged within the scope of the present invention. In this example, the bottom l ia of the hopper 11 comprises a hatch 12 accessible from the lower compartment 20. This hatch 12 comprises in this example gripping means 12a such as for example a handle.

By pulling this handle 12a towards him, the operator triggers the passage of the storage configuration C1 illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the hatch 12 is closed to allow the storage of cigarette butts in the storage volume defined by the internal wall 11b of the hopper 11 to the emptying configuration C2 illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the hatch 12 is open and allows gravity dumping of the cigarette butts through the open hatch 12.

This manipulation is very intuitive for the operator who must all the same first come and position under the hopper 11 a collection bag (or container), which can already be prepositioned during the previous intervention.

In this example, provision is made for the implementation under the hopper 11 of means for holding the collection container in position 23 under the hopper 11; it can be, for example, strapping under the hopper with a system for fixing the container (for example by snap-fastening, magnetization or other).

After opening the door 21, positioning the container under the hopper and actuating the handle 12a to open the hatch 12, the cigarette butts flow into the container.

The operator can then remove the filled container and possibly position a new container for the next collection operation.

It should be understood that this is an important security and protection benefit. Indeed, this operation is carried out with optimal handling safety for the operator who is not put in direct contact with the cigarette butts unlike other solutions.

He then closes door 21 and locks it with the key; then, the latter can resume his tour according to the route map to go to the next nearest filled ashtray as determined by the central server SC.

The example of Figure 5 incorporates all the technical characteristics of the example of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and further comprises an additional compartment 40 having access leading to an additional hopper 4L

Such an additional section 40 constitutes a real point of voluntary contribution.

The present invention thus makes it possible to provide communities or others with a connected urban ashtray capable of providing real-time information on the filling level of the ashtray in order to then centralize this information and determine an optimal route aimed at collecting only the filled ashtrays or almost full. This avoids makes it possible to remedy the drawbacks observed in the prior art, the solutions up to now having the drawback either of an overflow of the ashtray with pollution of the ground, or of a passage of empty resulting in a significant CO2 footprint for transport.

The present invention also offers a practical and intuitive ashtray which constitutes real furniture by adapting discreetly to the urban environment.

The present invention, by distinguishing the "storage" part from the "collection" part, makes it possible to secure storage in a fireproof environment to avoid fires and collection by facilitating handling by the operator, cigarette butts being toxic waste with a very high presence of nicotine.

Thus, the present invention provides an ashtray allowing smokers and operators responsible for collecting butts to recover a plurality of ashes and cigarette butts and to transport them without degrading the environment and limiting as much as possible its exposure to toxic particles. generated.

It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case this description is in any way limiting to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the following claims.

It should also be noted that the reference signs placed between parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting; these signs have the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

1. Ashtray (100) for a flammable object such as cigarette butts comprising a stepped hollow structure comprising a first so-called upper compartment (10) and a second so-called lower compartment (20) formed under the upper compartment (10), in which said compartment upper (10) comprises in its interior a hopper (11) having at the bottom (Ha) an operable hatch (12) the actuation of which authorizes the passage of a storage configuration (Cl) in which the hatch (12) is closed for storing cigarette butts in a storage volume defined by the internal wall (11b) of said hopper (11) towards an emptying configuration (C2) of said hopper (11) in which said hatch (12) is open to gravity dumping of cigarette butts through said open hatch (12), wherein said lower compartment (20) is configured to receive a cigarette butt collection container positioned under said hatch (12) of the hopper (11) so as to be able to be filled with said cigarette butts when the said hatch (12) is opened in the emptying configuration (C2), characterized in that it further comprises an electronic module (30) for monitoring the filling level of the hopper (11) comprising at least one filling level sensor (31) configured to measure a filling level of said hopper (11) and to transmit information relating to said measured filling level to a central processing unit (32) which is configured to process said information by comparing it to a predetermined threshold filling level, said central processing unit (32) being configured to, when following said comparison the filling level reaches the predetermined threshold filling level, generating and transmitting a filling signal to a remote central server (SC) via communication means (33).

2. Ashtray (100) according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall (11b) and / or the bottom (l ia) are made at least partially in a fireproof material.

3. Ashtray (100) according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises display means (13) of the filling level of said hopper (11).

4. Ashtray (100) according to claim 3, wherein the viewing means (13) comprise at least one viewing window (13a) provided on the upper compartment (10) and configured to view the storage volume of the hopper ( 11).

5. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one filling level sensor (31) of the hopper (11) is configured to measure the filling level of said hopper (11) from periodically, for example every hour or every day.

6. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one filling level sensor (31) is a scale configured to measure a total mass of cigarette butts stored in said hopper (11).

7. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper compartment (10) comprises on its peripheral periphery at least one dimensioned opening (14) for the passage of a cigarette butt, said at least one opening opening into the hopper (11) for the introduction of cigarette butts from outside the ashtray into the hopper.

8. Ashtray (100) according to claim 7, wherein said at least one filling level sensor (31) is a counter positioned at said at least one opening (14) and configured to count the number of butts passing through. through said opening (14).

9. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one filling level sensor (31) is an infrared camera oriented towards the storage volume to capture an image comprising said stored cigarette butts in the hopper (11).

10. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic module (30) comprises geolocation means (34) configured to transmit to said central server (SC) via said communication means (33) information geolocation of said ashtray (100) concomitantly with the transmission of the filling signal.

11. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic module (30) is powered by power supply means comprising at least one solar panel incorporating photovoltaic cells.

12. Ashtray (100) according to claim 11, wherein said at least one solar panel covers at least partially the upper part (10a) of said upper compartment (10).

13. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lower compartment (20) comprises a door (21) the opening of which allows access to the hatch (12) under the hopper (11) and to the collection container. Ashtray (100) according to claim 13, in which the closing of the door (21) is secured by locking/unlocking means (22) operable by a key of the type, for example spanner key or equivalent. Ashtray (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said lower compartment (20) comprises means for holding the collection container in position (23) under the hopper (11).

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