Patent Application
20110036835
Smoking in restaurants and other public venues has been made illegal or statutorily limited in several states and municipalities. These same restaurants, bars and similar establishments that historically provided ash trays no longer have need for such objects, and, as a result, may no longer offer such devices on a table or counter for the collection of ash and other smoking-related refuse and paraphernalia. In addition to collecting cigarette ends and ash, ash trays are commonly adapted by patrons and diners to dispose of other non-smoking refuse, such as used chewing gum and other like foodstuffs which have refuse by-products (e.g., fruit with pits or seeds, nuts or legumes with shells). Therefore, the elimination of ash trays from many food-services, entertainment, and other such establishments also eliminates the ability of patrons to conveniently, unobtrusively and hygienically dispose of food refuse.
Used chewing gum pieces present a distinct problem as chewing gum is notorious for adhering to most surfaces and, once hardened, can be extremely difficult to separate from such surfaces. Chewing gum is historically packaged in a wrapper, typically a thin sheet of wax or paper, which is commonly used to enclose the gum after being chewed to prevent the gum from adhering to other objects. However, some newer chewing gum products are not individually wrapped, but rather dispensed from a single, shared, multi-chambered sheet containing a plurality of pieces of chewing gum, and thus lack a wrapper for safe and sanitary disposal.
In a conventional arrangement, food refuse may be disposed in a piece or sheet of absorbent material, collected, and subsequently deposited in a dedicated waste receptacle at a later time. One common example of a sheet of absorbent material is a napkin, which can be either disposable (typically made of variably reinforced paper) or reusable (typically made of cloth. Chewing gum disposed in a reusable napkin and unenclosed in a wrapper may be difficult to remove in its entirety, thus severely impacting the napkin for future use. Due to its disposable nature, paper napkins are in many ways superior to cloth napkins for wrapping offending food refuse. However, many restaurants do not maintain and/or provide paper napkins for their patrons. Furthermore, the use of napkins, both disposable and reusable, to dispose of food refuse has distinct disadvantages. For example, napkins are especially ill-suited to use to dispose of used chewing gum and other food refuse since napkins, as sheets of malleable material, are apt to lie in a free-form position, which may impede efforts to contain, as well as make the transition between containment and collection difficult. Paper napkins in particular typically lack tensile strength and such are severely limited in their capacity to contain larger amounts of food refuse.
Moreover, even wrapped, the problem of what to do with the remaining package still persists. The napkins used to contain refuse items must be collected (by a food server or other wait staff) to prevent an unsightly clutter on a table, bar or other surface. Excessive waiting and/or human error can lead to unwanted and/or accidental disposal areas (e.g., on the floor, or on the street, etc.) which may, in turn create a hazard to patrons and staff members. Napkins (cloth napkins in particular) are also typically limited in number and must be replaced with additional napkins. If left unnoticed, customers may need to proactively request additional paper napkins, which may lead to an adverse dining experience. Thus effective collection requires additional, significant effort on the part of the food server or wait staff, and a potentially large reservoir of additional napkins. Naturally, this procedure can be inefficient, work intensive, and time consuming, particularly if the food refuse must be collected often, there are a significant number of patrons, a shortage of wait staff, or any combination of these factors.
Another conventional solution to the system is to use dedicated chewed gum storage receptacles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,662 issued Mar. 14, 1978 to Alice F. Volland depicts one such receptacle. The Volland receptacle discloses a base unit with a cover and a plurality of spaced, recessed storage compartments along an upper surface of the base unit and lined with a disposable lining, with depressed “cup-like” areas juxtaposed atop the plurality of recessed storage compartments. However, a chewed piece of gum deposited in any of the recessed storage compartments and lined with the disposable lining is not completely or even substantially enveloped by the lining. While the cover unit obscures the visibility of the deposited chewed gum portions, each subsequent user of the receptacle will still be able to view and even come into contact with the contents of the recessed storage compartments, which may be both unsightly and unhygienic. U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,269 issued Jun. 1, 1976 to Garry W. Jenkins discloses another gum disposal receptacle combining both an ash tray and a gum disposal receptacle. However, the capacity of the gum disposal receptacle is severely impacted by the inclusion of the ash tray.
With the advent of purpose-specific chewing gums (e.g., as a nicotine replacement and palliative treatment; and as a hunger-suppression and weight-loss aid) along with traditional uses (e.g., breath freshener), chewing gums are poised to become even more popular. Thus, the lack of an easily recognizable yet unobtrusive method of chewed gum and food refuse disposal looms as a potentially larger problem in the near future.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In the following embodiments, an approach is described for a chewed gum receptacle. A chewed gum receptacle is provided for receiving and storing chewed gum portions and other foodstuff refuse securely and aesthetically. The chewed gum receptacle includes a housing unit, a displaceable shelf unit configured to be housed in the housing unit, a securing terminal for a source of malleable material, and an aperture within a top surface of the housing unit which allows the transportation of objects from an external location to a location within the housing unit, preferably occupied by the displaceable shelf unit. A patron or diner thus secures a food refuse item within a sheet or piece of malleable material from the terminal and deposits the enveloped food refuse item through the aperture into the housing unit. The housing unit may be emptied by displacing the shelf unit and removing the contents thereof.
In one embodiment, the chewed gum receptacle is sized such that the receptacle can be conveniently and unobtrusively placed on a table and/or counter, such as a salt or pepper shaker, sugar packet dispenser, etc. In some embodiments, the entire receptacle can be disposable. According to further embodiments, elevation mechanisms for vertically displacing the receptacle from a surface may be included. Further embodiments of the present invention may include means for facilitating the displacement of the shelf unit from a first position within the housing unit, inhibiting means to direct the unilateral movement of objects between an external position to a location within the receptacle, securing means for securing the shelf unit at the first position, and means for facilitating the physical manipulation of the shelf unit.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with the alternative embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternative, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.
Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects and features of the subject matter.
In the following embodiments, an approach is described for a chewed gum receptacle. Embodiments include a device for receiving and storing chewed gum portions and other food refuse securely, hygienically, and aesthetically.
With reference now to
In one embodiment, the outer casing 101 and chamber 103 of chewed gum receptacle 100 may be each formed from a length of sheet metal or other solid, rigid material, such as wood or plastic. In alternate embodiments, the entire chewed gum receptacle 100 may be formed from cardboard or similarly reinforced paper. According to such embodiments, the entire chewed gum receptacle 100 can be disposable. In one embodiment, the outer casing 101 may be formed in the shape of a box, e.g., having four vertical walls adjoining a top surface (e.g., ceiling) and a bottom surface (e.g., floor), the surfaces combining to enclose a hollow cavity. Other shapes may be used according to various embodiments.
In one embodiment, at least one of the vertical walls consists of a frame, that is, a relatively small expanse of surface is used as a margin around the edges of the surface, wherein the center portion of the surface is removed. The chamber 103 is thus configured to fit within the frame of the outer casing 101, i.e., as a shelf or drawer. In some embodiments, the chamber 103 is configured such that the volume of the chamber is at least the near equivalent of the volume of the space enclosed within the outer casing 101. In further embodiments, the chamber 103 may fit within the outer casing 101 such that when the chamber 103 is placed in a first position within the outer casing 101, a surface of the chamber 103 aligns with the frame of the outer casing 101. In alternate embodiments, the chamber 103 may be configured to extend beyond the frame of the outer casing 101.
According to one embodiment, the chamber 103 is displaceable from the cavity enclosed by the outer casing 101 by sliding (e.g., horizontally dragging) the chamber 103 away from the outer casing 101. In one embodiment, the chamber 103 is completely removable from the confines of the outer casing 101. In alternate embodiments, the chamber 103 has a pre-defined length of maximum displacement, wherein the chamber 103 is physically prevented from further displacement.
A typical embodiment also includes an aperture 105, positioned on a top surface of the outer casing 101. In one embodiment, outer casing 101 consists of a single aperture 105 in the center of one or more upper surface(s) of the outer casing 101. According to one embodiment, the aperture 105 is a one-way aperture. In alternate embodiments, a plurality of apertures may be disposed on a plurality of upper surface(s) of the outer casing 101. The aperture 105 serves as an orifice through which objects (e.g., chewed gum, fruit seeds, and nut shells) may be deposited in the receptacle 100. When the chamber 103 is in the first position, that is, is maximally encapsulated within the outer casing 101, items deposited through the aperture are collected in the chamber 103. First position may also comprise the position wherein the back surface of the chamber 103 is adjacent to the inner surface of the back wall of the outer casing 101.
Typical configurations also include at least one terminal 107 configured to receive a source of malleable or flexible material. In one embodiment, a terminal 107 is positioned on an external surface of the outer casing 101. In further embodiments, the external surface is a vertical wall of the outer casing 101, upon which the terminal 107 may be positioned with either a horizontal or vertical orientation. A typical terminal 107 may be implemented as, for example, a plurality of guide rails for securing a source of malleable material. In one embodiment, the malleable or flexible material may comprise one or more sheets of tissue or wax paper. The source of malleable or flexible material may thus be a disposable tissue or wax paper box. In still further embodiments, the source may be replaced when necessary.
By incorporating a source of malleable material readily available, used chewing gum or other conventionally unsightly and/or particularly adhering objects may be enveloped in a sheet or piece of the material to both reduce the risk of the object adhering to unintended surfaces as well as improving the aesthetic quality of the disposed object. Thus, a patron at a restaurant may remove a sheet of paper from the paper dispenser secured by the terminal 107, wrap the chewing gum or other offending food particle in the sheet of paper, and deposit the package into the receptacle 100 through the aperture 105, whereupon the package lands in, and is contained by, the chamber 103. Periodically, the receptacle 100 may be emptied by removing the contents of the chamber 103.
Removing the contents of the chamber 103 may be accomplished by, for example, displacing the chamber 103 from its first position inside the outer casing 101, such as by removing the chamber 103 from the outer casing 101 entirely, or to a pre-defined maximum distance, or any distance in between, wherein access to the contents in the chamber is thereafter granted. In one embodiment, the contents of the chamber may be easily removed by altering the vertical orientation of the receptacle 100 or the separated chamber 103. The contents may be deposited in, for example, a larger, general waste receptacle out of sight of the establishment's patrons.
With reference now to
Chewed gum receptacle 200 may also be equipped with one or more elevation units 209, for vertically displacing the housing unit 201 above a surface (e.g., a table). In one embodiment, the elevation units 209 may be formed as rubber pads. According to some embodiments, receptacle 200 may also be equipped with a means for gripping the shelf unit 203. In one embodiment, the means for gripping the shelf unit 203 is implemented as a hole or groove 211, with which an individual may be able to more easily displace the shelf unit 203 from a position in the housing unit 201. According to other embodiments, the hole or groove 211 may also be implemented with a grip, or as a handle, or any other such means to facilitate an easier tactile manipulation thereof.
In some embodiments, aperture 205 further comprises a plurality of flanges 205b arranged in a ring around the aperture 205. In further embodiments, the flanges 205b may be shaped into wedges coming to a point and directed at the center of the aperture 205. According to some embodiments, the flanges may be constructed from rubber, or any other thick, semi-flexible material. The ring-arrangement of the flanges 205b thus allow a unilateral transfer of objects (e.g., depositing objects into the receptacle 200) with ease whilst simultaneously inhibiting the transfer of objects from the interior of the receptacle 200 to an external position through the aperture 205. In still further embodiments, the flanges 205b are secured to the top surface of the housing unit 201 around the aperture 205 by a ring device 205a. In one embodiment, the ring device 205a is constructed from rubber or other solid material and configured to fit around the aperture 205.
In a typical configuration,
With reference now to
The gum garbage box 301, gum garbage pull out tray 303, guide rails 307 and plurality of rubber pads 309 may correspond, for example, to the outer casing 101, chamber 103, terminal 107 and elevation units 109, respectively, as described above with reference to
In further embodiments, chewed gum receptacle 300 also includes a means 311 for securing the gum garbage pull out tray 303 at the first position, corresponding to means 211 of
As depicted, guide rails 307 are arranged in a horizontal configuration, wherein one of the plurality of guide rails 307 is arranged horizontally across a side surface of the gum garbage box 301 at a higher position, and another of the plurality of guide rails 307 is arranged horizontally across the same side surface of the gum garbage box 301 at a lower position, the distance between the guide rails being approximately the width of a paper dispenser 415. In further embodiments, the guide rails may be coupled to a back plate which provides additional support for the guide rails, the back plate spanning the area between the guide rails and physically attached to the side surface of the gum garbage box 301. In one embodiment, the paper dispenser dispenses a pre-stored amount of individual sheets 317 of paper. The paper dispenser may be positioned between the guide rails by, for example, sliding the top and bottom of the paper dispenser through the guide rails and along the back plate. According to some embodiments, the guide rails 307 and back plate may be constructed from sheet metal, plastic or other such rigid material.
With reference now to
As shown in
In further embodiments, the vertical guide rails may be coupled to a horizontal guide rail coupling the vertical guide rails, which provides additional support for a paper dispenser 315. In one embodiment, each of the vertical guide rails, and the horizontal guide rail (where applicable) are physically attached to the side surface of the gum garbage box 301.
According to further embodiments, a wrapper dispenser securing mechanism (collectively, shelf 511 and brackets 513 depicted in
In some embodiments, the cover unit 501 is configured such that when both the base unit 503 and the cover unit 501 are positioned in the first position, the base unit 503 and the cover unit 501 is automatically secured by a cover securing mechanism (e.g., clasp 523). The cover securing mechanism may secure the cover unit 501 to the base unit 503 by, for example, a clasp or groove configured to fashion the units together. In still further embodiments, a portion of the cover unit 501 may be removed to form a gripping mechanism (e.g., finger groove 509).
In some embodiments, the opening 505 may be configured with a cover, such as the combination of flanges and ring device described above with respect to
As depicted in
The collected contents of wrapped and contained items may be subsequently removed (e.g., the receptacles 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 may be emptied) by displacing a portion of the receptacle (e.g., the gum garbage tray 303 or the cover unit 501) from the first position and either physically removing the collected contents from the vessel (e.g., gum garbage tray 303 or base unit 503) or altering the vertical orientation of the vessel (e.g., gum garbage tray 303 or base unit 503) such that the contents spill out to, for example, a larger and/or dedicated waste receptacle. In further embodiments, the receptacle (e.g., receptacles 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500) may be constructed from disposable material (e.g., cardboard, paper, etc.), and the receptacle (e.g., receptacles 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500) itself may be disposed along with its contents. In alternate embodiments, the gum garbage tray 303 of
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
