GB2337195A

GB2337195A - Bin for spent chewing gum

Info

Publication number: GB2337195A
Application number: GB9907778A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Mckeown; Martin Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1999-04-06
Publication date: 1999-11-17
Also published as: WO1999058430A1; IE990274A1; AU3440099A; IES990273A2; GB9907778D0

Abstract

A spent gum waste container comprises a housing having a top wall 3 with an opening defining a spent gum inlet 4. A ramp 10 of non-stick material such as PTFE and of curvilinear shape leads spent gum into a receptacle 11. The receptacle 11 may be of disposable fire resistant material such as foil. The spent gum container 11 may be mounted by a bracket 30 to a support such as a post. Alternatively a spent gum waste container (50) is mounted to a stand (55) which in turn is secured to a ground engaging mounting sleeve (56), Figure 9. The container has access means such as door 6 hinged at 15 whereby the receptacle 11 can be removed for emptying. Such containers may be provided in recesses in the housing of street furniture for collecting plastics bottles, Figures 13-16.

Description

2337195 i - '. 1 "Street Furniture" Intmduction The invention relates to

meet flu and in particular to a waste container for sitmg m public places induding on pavements, at shops, shopping centres and I&C.

Oue of the most uns and difficult items to handle is spent chewing gurn. Users often simply drop it on a pavement, whew it can become to other usm shoes, bemmes flattened and over time, rigidly to the pavement forming a very unsightly mess, ?,- ' J7 1 This invention is directed towards providing street furniture which will at least assist in overcoming this problem.

is Statern= of Inve-ndo According to the invention there is provided a spent gum waste container comprising a housing having a spent gum inlet, a delivery means for delivery of the spent gum into a spent gum receptacle and access means for removal of the collected spent gum, the spent-gum engaging s of the delivery means being of a non- material.

Ihe invention provides a solution to the problem of efF disposal of spent gum. Because the housing has a dedicated receptacle for spent hum and access means it is readily serviced in use. Spent gum is delivered into the receptacle through a delivety means which has a spent-gum engaging surface of non-stick material. This is important in ensuring that spent gum flows freely into the receptacle rather than clogging the delivery means.

I. ', 1 In one embodiment of the invention the delivery means coraprises a ramp or guide me= extendmg from the spent gum inlet into the receptacle. This is a relatively simple conson which facilitates the free flow of spent gum into the receptacle.

Preferably the r=p mearts substantially prevents access to the receptacle from the spent gum inlet This ficatux assists in preventing accidental or maxithorised, access to the receptacle and ensures diat the integrity of the container is maintained, in uw in me embodirn= of the invention the ramp means is of curvilineu shape to lead spent chewing gum delivered through the inlet into the remptacle- Preferably the ramp means is movable or removable fbr replacement andior cle8.

In a prefhrrcd arrangement a support m is provided for supporting the ramp means in the container. Typicafly the support comprises a support bracket on which the ramp means is mounted.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the reeepwJe is removable through the access means to remove the collected spent gumIlais case of imefflon/replacement of the receptacle.

Preferably the receptacle is of a fire resistant material. Again, this provides another feature to protect against, flor example, disposing of cigarettes or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention the receptacle is a replaceable bag which is detachably mounted in the container. Most preferably the receptacle is of a fbil material. A replacct bag is easy to replace and is insive. Foil- as at least an element of the bag provides fire resistance.

1 r -3.

A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the access means comprises a door in the container which is movable from a normally locked and closed position to an open position for remov-al and replacement of the receptacle. Prly housing con a top wall, and sidewall means extending from the top wall. Ilds is a particular effective and simple constructiori.

The inlet opening is provided m the top wal This facilitates ease of use.

Preferably the top wall is downwardly h the inlet opening "g prMdedtowards the rear of the top wan. Again, this facilitates case of use by providing an optimised inlet position fbr a user.

Ideally the sidewall means is of curvilinear shape. This pro an aesthetically pleasing feature that me rges witil stremapes contadning posts and the like.

is era'bly die side wall is a tubular side wall. Rounded edges provide additional safety and strength.

In one embodiment of the invention the container includes a bottom wall. 1Iiis facilitates wall or pm mounting of the container. The bottom wall may be inclined outwardly.

Preferably access means is provided in the bottom wall. 'Me access means may comprise a closure flap forming part of the bottom wall.

In one embodiment of the invention the access means is hingedly mounted to the housing. Prefl=bly the waste container includes an anti-vandal lock for locleing the access means in the closed position. 1 In one embodiment of the invention the waste container includes a bracket for engaging a support. Typically the bracket is detachable from the container.

-4.

in an embodiment of the invention the container has means for receiving straps for fixing the container to a support. Typically the strapreceiving means is provided in a bracket attached to the container. Typically the support is a post.

In another embodiment of the inventhn the housing is engagable with a mounting stand. This facilitates mounting directly at any desired street location and does not require the use of a separate stand such as a lamppost of the like.

The housing may be engagable with the stand by a spigot and socket arrangement. This facilitates case of assembly, m use. Typically the stand defines an upper spigot for receiving a lower socket at the bottom of the housing.

In one embodiment of the invention the housing is engagable the stand by a bayonet type engagement. 17his is a particularly suitable engagement means that provides positive fixing.

is Preferably the container includes lodring means for lodang the housing to the stand. Typically the locking me= comprises a locking screw.

In a pref aspect of this embodiment of the invention the housing is removable from the stand for removal of the spent gum receptacle.

Preferably the waste container includes a ground engaging mounting means. The ground engaging mounting means preferably comprises a ground engaging mounting sleeve to which the stand is attached.

The invention also provides street flimiture including a spent gum waste container of the invention. The street fumiture is preferably adapted fbr the collection of plastics botiles.

1 - -- ' Preferably the street furniture has a housing widi means for receiving a spent waste gum container. The receiving means preferably comprises a recess m the ho to receive a corr shaped spent gum container. Ideally the recess is of arcuate shape to receive a correspondingly shaped spent gum waste container- Brief tion of the Drawingg The mvention win more dearly understood from the foUoWM8 description thereoL r.:,:. 1 given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a spent gum waste container according to the invention., is Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container of Fi& 1 and an associated bracicet; Fig. 3 is a partially cat-away view of another container with an access door open; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 3 mounted on a post, Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the container of Fig. 3 and an associatedbracket., Fig, 6 is an elevational view of the bracket of Fig. S; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the bracket of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another spent gum waste container according to die invention mounted on a support., Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the container and support of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the spent gum container and support of Figs 8 and 9; Fig. 11 is an exploded view Of Part of the spent gum container of Figt.- 8 and 9; to 1 Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of the exploded container and support; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a collection station with spent gum waste containers of the inventim is Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the collection station of Fig. 13; and Figs 15 and 16 are views of the collection station of Figs. 13 and 14 in me.

DetaU - '0 Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof there is illustrated a spent gum waste container 1 according to the invention. The contaler 1 comprises a housing 2 in this case is of generally cylindrical shape having a findly downwardly inclined top wall 3 with an opening defining a spent gum inlet 4 and an upwardly inclined bottorn wall 5 having an access door 6. In the case of the container of Figs. 3 to 5 the bottom wafl 5 extends substantially horizontally. Other features are similar and lile parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

1 is A ramp 10 of a non- A terial or at least having a non-stick gum-&g TKC.rrI surface such as of Tefidn er TFE and of cear shape, leads spent chewing gum delivered through the inlet 4 into a receptacle 11. The receptacle 11 is of a disposable fire resistant material such as thin sheet aluminium foil which Is removed and replaced through the access door 6. Ile door 6 is hinged at 15 and is retained in the dosed position by a quick fit anti-vandal closure 16 requiring operation using a special key. On opening of the door 6, the receptadc,l I is.

readily removed and replaced.

A support member 25 is provided behind the ramp 10 to act as a stop and to support the curvilinear shape of the ramp.

The spent gum contamer 1 may be mounted m any convenient location.

Referring in particular to Figs. 2 and 4 to 7 the container includes a rear wall mounting bracket 30 which may be integral with or separate from the container 1.

In this cast the bracket 30 may be mounted to a fixture such a pole 27 or wall by fixing screws engaging m fixing holes/slots 31 in the bracket 30. Alternatively or_ additionally the bracket 30 includes cut-outs 35 for receiving straps 36 for use in mounting the container to a post 2 7.

RefeTing to Figs. 8 to 12 there is illustrated another spent gum waste container 50 according to the invention. The waste container 50 is similar to the container of Figs. 1 to 7 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case spent gum is deflected into the container by a guide 52 of non stick PTFE material or at least having a non-stick gum engaging surface.

The spent gum waste container 50 is mounted to a stand 55 which in turn is secured to a ground cnng mounting means provided by a sleeve 56. The housing 54 is engagable with the mounting stand 55 by a spigot 60 and socket 62 arrangement. 'Me spigot 60 includes a bayonet-type slot 63 and the housing 54 includes a corresponding inner projection 65 which engages on assembly with the slot 63. A loffing screw 66 with an anti-vandal head is used to secure the housing.54 to the stand 55, on assembly- In this case a receptacle 11 fbr spent gum is removable on lifling of the container 50 flum the stand 55 as is particularly illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12.

lle invention provides a spent Sum waste container that is easy for a user to operate by simply placing the spent gum in the inlet It is easily maintained by 1.-, simply removing and replacing the receptacle. In this way the invention provides a means to an the serious problem of st=e and other public places being fbuled by spent chewing gum.

is Referring to Figs 13 to 16 them is filustrated a collection unit 80 comprising a curvilinear housing 81 with two inlets 82, ewl fbr receiving plastics bottles for waste coUcedon/recycling. Waste bottles are received into rcles 83 in the housing 81 which are =movable through an access og closed by doors 84 for collection of the bottles as illustrated Fig 16. The housing 81 has arcuate sections 85 at both ends, each to accommodate a spent gum unit 50 as described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 12.

The collection unit 80 with the spent gum containers 50 provides a system fbr onstreet collection of two of the most pervasive public waste items, namely spent chewing gum and plastics bottles.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments, hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Claims

1. A spent gum waste container comprising a housing having a spent gum inlet a defivery means fbr delivery of the spent gum into a spent gum receptacle and access means for removal of the collected spent gum, the spent-gum engaging surface of the delivery means being of a non-stick material.

2. A waste container as claimed in claim 1 where the delivery TI9'3 comprises a ramp or guide means extending firom the spent gum inlet into the receptacle.

3- A waste container as claimed in 2 wherein the ramp means substantially prevents access to the receptacle from the spent gum mIeL

4. Wane container as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the ramp means is Of cear shape to lead spent chewing gum delivered through the mlet into the receptacle.

5. A waste container as ed in any of ellirn 2 to 4 wherein the ramp means is movable or removable fbr replacement andlor cleaning.

6. A waste container as clairned in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein a support means is provided fbr supporting the ramp means in the container.

7.

A waste container as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support comprises a support bracket on which the ramp means is mounted.

8.

A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the receptacle is removable through the access means to remove the collected spent gum.

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9. A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the receptacle is of a fire resistant material-

10. A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the receptacle is a replaceable bag which is detachably mounted in the container.

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11. A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein' the 10receptacle is of a foil ma

12. A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the access means c=prises a door in the container which is movable from a normally locked and closed position to an open position fbr removal and replacement of the receptacle.

13. A waste container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises a top wall, and sidewall mean cding from the top wall.

14. A waste container as claimed in claim 13 wherein the inlet opening is provided in the top wan.

15. A waste container as Claixned in claim 13 or 14 wherein the top wall is downwardly inclined. the inlet OPMM being provided towards the rear of the top wall.

16- A waste container as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15 wherein the sidewall means is of curvilinear shape.

17. A wase container as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16 wherein the side wall is a tubular side wall.

/1 1 5, ' 11

18. A waste container as claimed in any Of claims 13 to 17 wherein the container includes a bottom wall.

19. A waste container as claimed in 18 wherein the bottom wall is inclined outwardly.

20. A waste container as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein access means is provided in the bottom wall.

21. A waste container as claimed in claim 20 wherein the access means comprises a closure flap ffirming part of the bottom wall.

22. A waste container as daimed in any preceding claim wherein the access means is hingedly mounted to the housing.

23. A waste container as claimed in any preceding d including an anti vandal lock fbr loddng the access means in the closed position.

24. A waste =tuner as claimed m any preceding d[airn including a bracket fbr engaging a support.

25. A waste container as claimed in claim 24 wherein the bracket is detachable from the container.

26. A waste coer as claimed in any preceding claim having means for receiving straps for fixing the container to a support.

27. A waste container as claimed in claim 26 wherein the strap-receiving means is provided in a bracket attached to the container.

. 1. '1 11

28. A waste container as claimed in any of claims 24 to 27 wherein the support is a post-

29. A waste container as claimed in any of 13 to 17 wherein the housing is engagable with a mounting stand-

30. A waste conufi= as claimed in claim 29 wherein the housing is engagable with dx stand by a spigot and socket arrangement.

31. A waste container as claimed in claim 30 wherein the stand defines an u" t fbr rcmvmg a lower socket at the bottom of the housing.

32. A waste container as claimed in any of daim 29 to 31 wherein the housing is engagable with the stand by a bayonet type engagement.

is

33. A waste container as claimed in any of claim 29 to 32 including locking me= fbr locking the housing to the stand.

34. A waste container as claimed in cLairn 33 wherein the locldng means 20 comprises a locking screw.

35. A waste container as claimed in any of claims 29 to 35 wherein the housing is removable from the stand for removal of the spent gum receptacle.

36. A waste container as claimed in any of claims 29 to 35 including a ground engaging mounting means.

37. A waste container as claimed in claim 36 wherein the ground engaging mounting means comprises a ground engaging mounting sleeve to which the stand is attached.

1

38. A spent gurn waste container substantially as hercinbefbre descnIxd with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. Street fhmiture including a spent gum waste container as claimed in any preceding claim 1 11 fl, r

40. Street flumiture as claimed in claim 39 wherein the street furniture is adapted for theeollection of phstics bottles.

41. Street fi=iwe as claimed in clairn 39 or 40 having a housing with means fbr receiving a spent waste gurn container.

42. Street fluniture as chimed claim 41 wherein the receiving means comprises a recess in the housing to receive a corresponding shaped spent gum container.

is

43. Street furniture as claimed in clAim 42 wherein the recess is of arcuate shape to receive a correspondingly shaped spent gum waste container.

44. Street hummm substantially as herembefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.