US20050109355A1 - Cigarette butt receptable with advertising display - Google Patents
Cigarette butt receptable with advertising display Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050109355A1 US20050109355A1 US10/987,519 US98751904A US2005109355A1 US 20050109355 A1 US20050109355 A1 US 20050109355A1 US 98751904 A US98751904 A US 98751904A US 2005109355 A1 US2005109355 A1 US 2005109355A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- display unit
- collar
- cover
- crown
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F19/00—Ash-trays
- A24F19/10—Ash-trays combined with other articles
- A24F19/14—Ash-trays combined with other articles with extinguishers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F19/00—Ash-trays
- A24F19/10—Ash-trays combined with other articles
- A24F19/105—Ash-trays combined with other articles with ornamental objects
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- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
- G09F2023/0041—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on cigarette lighters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a cigarette butt and advertising display assembly.
- the present invention pertains to an assembly configured to receive and extinguish cigarettes and other smoking related refuse while also displaying information, such as advertising information.
- the ashtray/bins typically include a long cylindrical body with a large opening for trash, and a sand-filled depression positioned atop the body. Smokers can extinguish and dispose of their cigarettes in the sand-filled depression. But, this ashtray/bin also caused problems. If the sand-filled depression is not frequently cleaned, unsightly cigarettes are exposed to the public and, when exposed to precipitation, water mixes with this sand and cigarette butts, resulting in an unpleasant odor and unsightly mixture.
- Such alternate cigarette receptacles include a cigarette receptacle in communication with a tube having an opening at the top of the tube in which smoking refuse could be deposited. Such receptacles were able to conceal the unsightly cigarettes, but they failed to exploit the benefit of the many smokers congregating and loitering in the smoking areas.
- the smoking areas are often located on sidewalks of streets frequented by many people, including potential bar/restaurant patrons and general customers. Because the cigarette receptacle is placed in these highly frequented smoking areas, the receptacles have the potential to expose the public to different types of information, such as advertising information about various products or information in the vicinity where the receptacle is placed.
- the present invention pertains to a cigarette receptacle-information display assembly.
- the assembly includes a base having a cavity formed therein that is coupled to an upper portion.
- the upper portion includes a cover that covers the cavity, a neck coupled to the cover, and a tube coupled to the neck and having a passageway formed therein.
- a collar is fitted onto the tube so that it rests on the neck, which has a larger diameter than that of the tube.
- a display unit is then placed on the tube so that it is supported by the collar.
- the display unit may have various forms and, in a preferred embodiment, includes three display frames that are configured to display informational material for passers-by.
- a crown is positioned over a top end of the tube and is positioned above the display unit, and must first be removed in order to remove the display unit. Because the crown is removably attached or locked to the tube, unauthorized removal of the display unit is prevented.
- the crown also includes one or more lateral apertures for accepting smoking refuse.
- smokers can insert their smoking refuse in the lateral apertures of the crown.
- the refuse is directed through a crown opening, into the passageway of the tube and into the cavity, where it is deposited and extinguished.
- smokers and passers-by are continuously exposed to the information display of the assembly.
- the building or establishment may generate advertising revenue by charging others to display advertising materials, display features about their own product or establishment, or display any other information deemed desirable; the possibilities are endless.
- FIG. 1 is a an exploded view of a specific embodiment of a cigarette receptacle information display assembly of the invention
- FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an assembled alternate embodiment of a cigarette receptacle information display of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is an illustration of a display unit of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 with informational material and a shield being inserted into a display frame.
- One specific embodiment of the invention pertains to a cigarette receptacle and information display assembly that conceals and extinguishes cigarette butts and other smoking refuse, while also exposing the public to information, for example, advertising information.
- FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a cigarette receptacle-information display unit assembly 10 of the invention.
- a base 11 having a cavity 12 formed therein is coupled to an upper portion 14 .
- a bucket 16 is positioned within the cavity 12 and preferably includes sand or the like. As is explained in greater detail below, the bucket 16 receives and extinguishes cigarettes butts and other smoking refuse.
- the base 11 also includes a security device 13 , which may include, for example, a hook coupled to a security cable 17 , as shown in FIGS. 1-2 .
- the upper portion 14 may be coupled to the base 11 directly or indirectly.
- the upper portion 14 may be directly coupled to the base 11 by base fasteners 15 so that the upper portion is removably attached to the base.
- the upper portion 14 may be removed from the base 11 when the bucket 16 is filled with cigarette butts and other smoking refuse.
- the bucket 16 can then be emptied and reinserted in the cavity 12 , and the upper portion 14 can then be repositioned atop the base 11 .
- various fastening mechanisms may be used to couple the base and upper portion together, such as male and female threading on the upper portion and the base, nut and bolt fasteners, clasp closures, screw fasteners and the like.
- the upper portion 14 includes a cover 20 , a neck 18 and an elongated tube 22 .
- a crown 24 is positioned on the tube 22 .
- the cover 20 covers the cavity 12 of the base 16 and is coupled to the neck 18 , which in turn is coupled to the hollow tube 22 .
- the neck 18 and tube 22 preferably form a passageway 26 therein, which is in communication with the cavity 12 .
- the cover 20 , neck 18 and tube 22 are integral with each another and form a unitary upper portion 14 .
- the neck, cover and tube may be connected to one another by various fastening mechanisms, or may be formed of separate pieces or of different material.
- the upper portion may include a tube coupled to the cover and need not have a neck.
- an information display unit 28 configured to display informational materials 30 is operatively coupled to the tube 22 .
- the information display unit 28 can include, for example, various product advertisements, menus, and any other type of information that can be displayed.
- potential patrons of the establishment may be exposed to various types of information that the establishment or building wishes to display.
- smoking patrons of the establishment and/or workers in the building are exposed to the information while smoking outside.
- the establishment or other entity can generate additional revenue from others to display advertising information on the display unit 28 , or further promote its own establishment or other products to passers-by.
- the information display unit 28 may have various forms.
- the information display unit 28 includes three frames 32 , each configured to house informational materials 30 .
- the three frames 32 can be connected to or may be integral with three vertical display portions 34 .
- the frames 32 and the vertical display portions 34 may be integral with one another to form a display unit body 35 , which includes a cylindrical receiving opening 36 formed therein.
- information may be printed on or affixed to the vertical displays 34 —allowing for increased display space.
- the information display unit 28 ′ includes three frames 32 but does not include the vertical displays 34 of FIG. 1 .
- the frames 32 shown in FIGS. 1-3 include upper and lower troughs 39 , 40 and a shield 42 .
- the shield 42 is preferably transparent to protect the informational material 30 while permitting viewing thereof.
- informational material 30 and the shield 42 may be inserted into and held in place between the troughs 39 , 40 .
- the lower trough 40 includes slots 44 formed therein so that during precipitation, water does not collect in the lower trough.
- the informational material 30 and shield 42 are removably fastened to the information display unit 28 by fasteners 46 so that the informational material cannot be tampered with, yet may still be changed by authorized personnel when desired.
- screw fasteners 46 may be used to fasten the informational material 30 and cover 42 to the display unit 28 ′. Security-type screws or locking screws may be used.
- the display unit 28 may also have other configurations.
- the display unit 28 may incorporate as little as one display frame to as many as the tube can support.
- the shape of the display frame need not be rectangular, and in other embodiments it may be circular, triangular or any other polygonal shape.
- the display unit 28 may include a light, such as an LED or bulb, positioned within the display unit.
- the informational materials may also be relatively thin or translucent and, as such, the informational materials may be back-lit by the LED or bulb positioned within the display unit 28 .
- light sensors may be in communication with the lights so that when there is sufficient ambient brightness, the light is not activated, and when there is insufficient ambient brightness, the light is activated.
- fastening mechanisms other than the screw-type fasteners such as nut and bolt fasteners, may be used to fasten the cover and informational material to the display unit.
- the display unit 28 may be coupled to the tube 22 by sliding the display unit onto the tube 22 so that the tube is received in the tube receiving opening 36 of the display unit.
- the height at which the information display unit 28 appears may be adjusted by the use of a collar 38 .
- the collar 38 may be slid onto the tube 22 and may atop of the neck 18 . The longer the collar 38 , the greater the height of the information display unit 28 . Conversely, the shorter the collar 38 , the lower the height of the information display unit 28 .
- the collar 38 preferably has a diameter that is larger than that of the tube 22 but smaller than that of the neck 18 so that the neck acts as a stop for the collar. Note that in other embodiments not incorporating a neck, the collar may have a diameter larger than that of the tube and rests atop the cover of the upper portion.
- FIG. 1 may incorporate a washer 41 that is used in conjunction with the collar 38 , such that the information display unit 28 may rest atop the washer.
- the washer 41 not only relieves some of the load from the information display unit 28 , but also facilitates spinning of the information display unit on the tube 22 .
- the information display unit may sit atop the collar without the washer and, in such embodiments, the information display unit may still spin relative to the tube.
- a display unit base may have the same general shape as a planar cross-section of the display unit body. For example, if the display unit has a triangular shape when observed from a top view, the display unit base may also have a triangular shape when observed from a top view. The display unit sits atop the display unit base.
- FIGS. 1-3 may incorporate the crown 24 positioned atop of the tube 22 .
- the crown 24 may include a bottom periphery 45 that covers a top end of the tube and covers the opening 50 of the tube.
- the crown 24 includes lateral apertures 48 formed therein, which are in communication with the opening 50 to permit the smoking items to travel the length of the tube 22 and into the bucket 16 .
- the lateral apertures 48 may be sufficiently large to accommodate cigarette butts, cigar butts and other smoking refuse.
- the crown 24 ′ may include a ring-like protruding periphery 54 similar in shape to an ashtray that smokers can rest their smoking items thereon.
- the smoking refuse When smoking refuse is inserted into the lateral aperture 48 , the smoking refuse passes through the tube opening 50 at the top of the tube 22 , down the passage way 26 and into the cavity 12 , it is extinguished and concealed.
- the crown desirably prevents water from entering the tube passageway 26 during precipitation.
- crown fasteners 52 removably attach the crown 24 to the tube 22 .
- the crown fasteners 52 may include, for example, nut and bolt fasteners, screw fasteners and the like.
- the crown 24 is positioned above the display unit, and thus must be removed to permit removal of the display unit 28 , 28 ′. Because the crown 24 , 24 ′ is attached to the tube 22 with fasteners 52 , or other security-type fastening devices, passers-by are prevented from casually removing the display unit 28 , 28 ′ from the tube.
- a crown need not be incorporated in the cigarette receptacle-display unit assembly.
- the end of the tube may be closed and protrude above the display unit and include an opening in a periphery of the tube into which smokers may insert smoking refuse.
- a tube may simply include an opening at its upper portion that remains uncovered.
- the display unit may also be removably attached to the tube with security fasteners to prevent unauthorized removal.
- the cigarette receptacle-information display assembly 10 is about 48 ′′ tall and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. In another embodiment, the assembly 10 may be about 36 ′′ tall. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the assembly 10 can be of any suitable dimension.
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Abstract
A cigarette receptacle and information display assembly including a base forming a cavity therein. The base is removably attached to an upper portion, which comprises a cover and a tube. The cover covers the cavity and is coupled to the tube. A passageway is formed within the tube, and the tube has openings at bottom and top ends of the tube so that the passageway is in communication with the cavity. A crown having an opening formed therein is positioned over the top end of the tube. Smoking refuse is inserted into the crown opening and is directed through the passageway and into the cavity, where the refuse is concealed and extinguished. An information display unit is coupled to the tube so that passers-by and smokers are exposed to the information displayed in the display unit.
Description
- This Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Application No. 60/524,054, filed on Nov. 24, 2003 and entitled “Cigarette Butt Receptacle With Advertising Display.”
- The present invention relates to a cigarette butt and advertising display assembly. In particular, the present invention pertains to an assembly configured to receive and extinguish cigarettes and other smoking related refuse while also displaying information, such as advertising information.
- The general public has become concerned about the adverse affects of inhaling second hand smoke, prompting laws that regulate smoking indoors. As a result, most workplace buildings and many establishments, such as bars and restaurants, prohibit indoor smoking. To accommodate smoking employees and patrons, the workplace buildings, establishments and other “smoke free” buildings provide “smoking areas” outside of the buildings. In this manner, smokers may smoke a cigarette, cigar or any other smoking item outside of the building and, when finished, reenter the building.
- If there are not adequate facilities to extinguish and dispose of the cigarettes near the “smoking areas,” however, smokers tend to discard the cigarette butts on the street, leaving many unsightly cigarette butts and other smoking refuse on the sidewalk or streets. Because the smoking areas are often on sidewalks of streets frequented by many people, including potential bar/restaurant patrons and general customers, the unsightly smoking refuse may deter potential customers and patrons from frequenting the building or establishment.
- To address this issue, many buildings have placed ashtray/trash bins outside of the buildings. The ashtray/bins typically include a long cylindrical body with a large opening for trash, and a sand-filled depression positioned atop the body. Smokers can extinguish and dispose of their cigarettes in the sand-filled depression. But, this ashtray/bin also caused problems. If the sand-filled depression is not frequently cleaned, unsightly cigarettes are exposed to the public and, when exposed to precipitation, water mixes with this sand and cigarette butts, resulting in an unpleasant odor and unsightly mixture.
- Many establishments and building managers recognized this problem and began utilizing alternate cigarette receptacles. Such alternate cigarette receptacles include a cigarette receptacle in communication with a tube having an opening at the top of the tube in which smoking refuse could be deposited. Such receptacles were able to conceal the unsightly cigarettes, but they failed to exploit the benefit of the many smokers congregating and loitering in the smoking areas.
- Specifically, the smoking areas are often located on sidewalks of streets frequented by many people, including potential bar/restaurant patrons and general customers. Because the cigarette receptacle is placed in these highly frequented smoking areas, the receptacles have the potential to expose the public to different types of information, such as advertising information about various products or information in the vicinity where the receptacle is placed.
- Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved cigarette receptacle that conceals and extinguishes smoking items, such as cigarettes and cigars, and that also can be used as a device to expose the public to various types of information and advertising.
- The present invention pertains to a cigarette receptacle-information display assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a cavity formed therein that is coupled to an upper portion. The upper portion includes a cover that covers the cavity, a neck coupled to the cover, and a tube coupled to the neck and having a passageway formed therein. A collar is fitted onto the tube so that it rests on the neck, which has a larger diameter than that of the tube. A display unit is then placed on the tube so that it is supported by the collar.
- The display unit may have various forms and, in a preferred embodiment, includes three display frames that are configured to display informational material for passers-by. A crown is positioned over a top end of the tube and is positioned above the display unit, and must first be removed in order to remove the display unit. Because the crown is removably attached or locked to the tube, unauthorized removal of the display unit is prevented. The crown also includes one or more lateral apertures for accepting smoking refuse.
- Specifically, smokers can insert their smoking refuse in the lateral apertures of the crown. The refuse is directed through a crown opening, into the passageway of the tube and into the cavity, where it is deposited and extinguished. In addition, smokers and passers-by are continuously exposed to the information display of the assembly. As a result, the building or establishment may generate advertising revenue by charging others to display advertising materials, display features about their own product or establishment, or display any other information deemed desirable; the possibilities are endless.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.
- The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a an exploded view of a specific embodiment of a cigarette receptacle information display assembly of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an assembled alternate embodiment of a cigarette receptacle information display of the invention; and -
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a display unit of the assembly shown inFIG. 2 with informational material and a shield being inserted into a display frame. - While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
- It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention,” relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.
- In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.
- One specific embodiment of the invention pertains to a cigarette receptacle and information display assembly that conceals and extinguishes cigarette butts and other smoking refuse, while also exposing the public to information, for example, advertising information.
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FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a cigarette receptacle-informationdisplay unit assembly 10 of the invention. Abase 11 having acavity 12 formed therein is coupled to anupper portion 14. In one embodiment, abucket 16 is positioned within thecavity 12 and preferably includes sand or the like. As is explained in greater detail below, thebucket 16 receives and extinguishes cigarettes butts and other smoking refuse. In a preferred embodiment, thebase 11 also includes asecurity device 13, which may include, for example, a hook coupled to asecurity cable 17, as shown inFIGS. 1-2 . - The
upper portion 14 may be coupled to thebase 11 directly or indirectly. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-2 , theupper portion 14 may be directly coupled to thebase 11 bybase fasteners 15 so that the upper portion is removably attached to the base. By being removably attached, theupper portion 14 may be removed from thebase 11 when thebucket 16 is filled with cigarette butts and other smoking refuse. Thebucket 16 can then be emptied and reinserted in thecavity 12, and theupper portion 14 can then be repositioned atop thebase 11. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various fastening mechanisms may be used to couple the base and upper portion together, such as male and female threading on the upper portion and the base, nut and bolt fasteners, clasp closures, screw fasteners and the like. - The
upper portion 14 includes acover 20, aneck 18 and anelongated tube 22. As is explained in greater detail below, acrown 24 is positioned on thetube 22. Thecover 20 covers thecavity 12 of thebase 16 and is coupled to theneck 18, which in turn is coupled to thehollow tube 22. Theneck 18 andtube 22 preferably form apassageway 26 therein, which is in communication with thecavity 12. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-2 , thecover 20,neck 18 andtube 22 are integral with each another and form a unitaryupper portion 14. Those of skill in the art appreciate that, in other embodiments of the invention, the neck, cover and tube may be connected to one another by various fastening mechanisms, or may be formed of separate pieces or of different material. Further, in other embodiments, the upper portion may include a tube coupled to the cover and need not have a neck. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-3 , aninformation display unit 28 configured to displayinformational materials 30 is operatively coupled to thetube 22. Theinformation display unit 28 can include, for example, various product advertisements, menus, and any other type of information that can be displayed. In this manner, potential patrons of the establishment may be exposed to various types of information that the establishment or building wishes to display. Further, smoking patrons of the establishment and/or workers in the building are exposed to the information while smoking outside. As a result, the establishment or other entity can generate additional revenue from others to display advertising information on thedisplay unit 28, or further promote its own establishment or other products to passers-by. - The
information display unit 28 may have various forms. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , theinformation display unit 28 includes threeframes 32, each configured to houseinformational materials 30. The threeframes 32 can be connected to or may be integral with threevertical display portions 34. Theframes 32 and thevertical display portions 34 may be integral with one another to form adisplay unit body 35, which includes acylindrical receiving opening 36 formed therein. In addition to insertinginformational material 30 into the frames 32 (FIG. 3 ), information may be printed on or affixed to thevertical displays 34—allowing for increased display space. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-3 , theinformation display unit 28′ includes threeframes 32 but does not include thevertical displays 34 ofFIG. 1 . - The
frames 32 shown inFIGS. 1-3 include upper andlower troughs shield 42. Theshield 42 is preferably transparent to protect theinformational material 30 while permitting viewing thereof. As shown inFIG. 3 ,informational material 30 and theshield 42 may be inserted into and held in place between thetroughs FIG. 3 , thelower trough 40 includesslots 44 formed therein so that during precipitation, water does not collect in the lower trough. Theinformational material 30 andshield 42 are removably fastened to theinformation display unit 28 byfasteners 46 so that the informational material cannot be tampered with, yet may still be changed by authorized personnel when desired. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 , screwfasteners 46 may be used to fasten theinformational material 30 and cover 42 to thedisplay unit 28′. Security-type screws or locking screws may be used. - Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
display unit 28 may also have other configurations. For example, thedisplay unit 28 may incorporate as little as one display frame to as many as the tube can support. Further, the shape of the display frame need not be rectangular, and in other embodiments it may be circular, triangular or any other polygonal shape. In alternate embodiments, thedisplay unit 28 may include a light, such as an LED or bulb, positioned within the display unit. The informational materials may also be relatively thin or translucent and, as such, the informational materials may be back-lit by the LED or bulb positioned within thedisplay unit 28. In yet other embodiments, light sensors may be in communication with the lights so that when there is sufficient ambient brightness, the light is not activated, and when there is insufficient ambient brightness, the light is activated. In addition, fastening mechanisms other than the screw-type fasteners, such as nut and bolt fasteners, may be used to fasten the cover and informational material to the display unit. - As shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 1 , thedisplay unit 28 may be coupled to thetube 22 by sliding the display unit onto thetube 22 so that the tube is received in thetube receiving opening 36 of the display unit. Preferably, the height at which theinformation display unit 28 appears may be adjusted by the use of acollar 38. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , thecollar 38 may be slid onto thetube 22 and may atop of theneck 18. The longer thecollar 38, the greater the height of theinformation display unit 28. Conversely, the shorter thecollar 38, the lower the height of theinformation display unit 28. Thecollar 38 preferably has a diameter that is larger than that of thetube 22 but smaller than that of theneck 18 so that the neck acts as a stop for the collar. Note that in other embodiments not incorporating a neck, the collar may have a diameter larger than that of the tube and rests atop the cover of the upper portion. - The embodiment of
FIG. 1 may incorporate awasher 41 that is used in conjunction with thecollar 38, such that theinformation display unit 28 may rest atop the washer. Thewasher 41 not only relieves some of the load from theinformation display unit 28, but also facilitates spinning of the information display unit on thetube 22. Note that in other embodiments, the information display unit may sit atop the collar without the washer and, in such embodiments, the information display unit may still spin relative to the tube. In yet other embodiments, a display unit base may have the same general shape as a planar cross-section of the display unit body. For example, if the display unit has a triangular shape when observed from a top view, the display unit base may also have a triangular shape when observed from a top view. The display unit sits atop the display unit base. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other modifications of the washer and display unit base are within the spirit and scope of the invention. - The embodiments of
FIGS. 1-3 may incorporate thecrown 24 positioned atop of thetube 22. Thecrown 24 may include abottom periphery 45 that covers a top end of the tube and covers theopening 50 of the tube. Preferably, thecrown 24 includeslateral apertures 48 formed therein, which are in communication with theopening 50 to permit the smoking items to travel the length of thetube 22 and into thebucket 16. Thelateral apertures 48 may be sufficiently large to accommodate cigarette butts, cigar butts and other smoking refuse. As shown in the alternate embodiment ofFIG. 2 , thecrown 24′ may include a ring-like protrudingperiphery 54 similar in shape to an ashtray that smokers can rest their smoking items thereon. - When smoking refuse is inserted into the
lateral aperture 48, the smoking refuse passes through thetube opening 50 at the top of thetube 22, down thepassage way 26 and into thecavity 12, it is extinguished and concealed. By incorporating aclosed crown 24 withlateral openings 50, the crown desirably prevents water from entering thetube passageway 26 during precipitation. - As shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 3 ,crown fasteners 52 removably attach thecrown 24 to thetube 22. Thecrown fasteners 52 may include, for example, nut and bolt fasteners, screw fasteners and the like. Thecrown 24 is positioned above the display unit, and thus must be removed to permit removal of thedisplay unit crown tube 22 withfasteners 52, or other security-type fastening devices, passers-by are prevented from casually removing thedisplay unit - In one specific embodiment, the cigarette receptacle-
information display assembly 10 is about 48″ tall and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. In another embodiment, theassembly 10 may be about 36″ tall. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that theassembly 10 can be of any suitable dimension. - From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or to be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. An apparatus for storing cigarette butts and displaying informational material, the apparatus comprising:
a base forming a cavity therein, a cover removably attached to the base and covering the cavity;
a hollow tube coupled to the cover and defining a passageway;
the tube having top and bottom ends, and the passageway being in communication with the cavity;
a display unit operatively coupled to the tube, the display unit configured to display information; and
wherein the tube includes a tube opening configured to receive smoking refuse so that when the smoking refuse is inserted in the tube opening, the smoking refuse is directed through the passageway to the cavity.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display unit further comprises at least one frame, each frame including a lower trough for supporting and/or retaining informational materials.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the lower trough further comprises slots defined therein.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a transparent shield, wherein the display unit further comprises a shield fastener for removably fastening the shield to the display unit.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the shield fastener further comprises a screw.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the display unit further comprises three rectangular frames operatively coupled to each other to form a body of the display unit.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the body further comprise a light source contained therein.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the display unit further comprises three vertical displays, each vertical display being positioned between with two of said rectangular frames.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a tubular collar having a throughbore and an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the tube, the throughbore of collar configured to receive the tube, the display unit including a tube receiving aperture configured to receive a portion of the tube therethrough such that a bottom portion of the display unit is supported by an upper portion of the collar.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a neck integrally formed with the cover and the tube, said neck having a diameter larger than a diameter of the tube and larger than a diameter the collar so that when the tube is received within the collar, the neck prevents downward travel of the collar along the tube.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover and base further include fasteners adapted to releasably secure the cover to the base.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a crown positioned over the tube opening, the crown including at least one lateral aperture for receiving the smoking refuse.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the crown is removably attached to the tube.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the crown is removably attached by nut and bolt fasteners.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the crown includes a ring-like peripheral portion.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a top portion of the tube is closed, said tube including a plurality of apertures formed in a sidewall of the tube.
17. A cigarette receptacle and information display assembly comprising:
a hollow base having a cavity therein;
a cover removably attached to the base and configured to cover the cavity;
an elongated hollow tube coupled to the cover and defining a passageway within the tube, the tube having top and bottom open ends, the bottom end operatively coupled to the cover;
a display unit having a tube receiving opening formed therein, the display unit being inserted onto the tube so that the tube is received in the tube receiving opening of the tube, wherein the display unit includes three rectangular frames to form a display unit body;
a crown removably attached to the top end of the tube by fasteners so that the display unit cannot be removed without removing the crown, wherein the crown includes at least one lateral aperture for receiving smoking refuse such that when smoking refuse is inserted into the lateral aperture, the refuse is directed through the opening of the top end of the tube, through the passageway and into the cavity.
18. The assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a neck integrally formed with the cover and the tube, wherein the passageway of the tube passes through an interior portion of the neck and is in communication with the cavity.
19. The assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a collar and a washer, the collar having a smaller diameter than the neck and a larger diameter than the tube, the collar disposed over the tube and atop of the neck, wherein the washer is disposed atop of the collar to support the display unit.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/987,519 US20050109355A1 (en) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-11-12 | Cigarette butt receptable with advertising display |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US52405403P | 2003-11-24 | 2003-11-24 | |
US10/987,519 US20050109355A1 (en) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-11-12 | Cigarette butt receptable with advertising display |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050109355A1 true US20050109355A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
Family
ID=34595070
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/987,519 Abandoned US20050109355A1 (en) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-11-12 | Cigarette butt receptable with advertising display |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20050109355A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008074790A1 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2008-06-26 | Vincent Guillaume | Urban furniture |
US20100043811A1 (en) * | 2008-08-22 | 2010-02-25 | Patrick Girard Hogan | Cigarette disposal container and display assembly |
USD617057S1 (en) * | 2009-02-12 | 2010-06-01 | West Agro Inc. | Animal feeding nipple |
USD617508S1 (en) * | 2009-02-12 | 2010-06-08 | West Agro Inc. | Animal feeding nipple |
ITCA20090010A1 (en) * | 2009-11-18 | 2011-05-19 | Ekosmoke Di Davide Ruggeri | ASHTRAY FROM OUTSIDE TO WALL WITH ADVERTISING DISPLAY. |
US10420321B2 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2019-09-24 | Patricia Hollis | Animal food caddy |
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US10420321B2 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2019-09-24 | Patricia Hollis | Animal food caddy |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |