Receptacles – Wall supported container – Detachably supported container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2003-09-02
Mai, Tri M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Wall supported container
Detachably supported container
C220S919000, C220S908100, C220S023890, C220S475000, C220S482000, C220S004280, C428S907000, C428S105000, C428S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06612457
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of specialized receptacles and is particular concerned with a receptacle unit for both refuse and ash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recent government regulations in some areas have made it illegal to smoke indoors in public areas. Accordingly, a large number of tobacco smokers must now resort to smoking outdoors. In order to maintain an appearance of neatness and cleanliness, most public areas therefore are encouraged to provide some means preferably in the form of ashtrays for receiving ash and cigarette butts.
In restaurants, theaters and other establishments where people gather, the convenient disposition of various papers and plastic items such as drinking straws, waxed paper for butter pats, candy and gum wrappers, empty cigarette packages or the like, is a problem. In areas wherein smokers are encouraged to smoke outdoors, refuse or trash containers are generally provided adjacent outdoor ashtrays. Refuse containers are added despite the presence of ashtrays since trash items should not be placed in receptacles containing cigarette ashes because of their relative flammability. Any trash being carelessly dropped into an ashtray containing an unextinguished cigarette may potentially create a small but potentially dangerous blaze. Furthermore, ashtrays are generally too shallow to hold trash paper. Thus the trash are susceptible to being scattered about thereby creating a disorderly appearance. Additionally, areas littered by small papers, plastic material or the like require increased time by personnel to clean.
The prior art has shown some examples of combination trash and ash receptacles. For example, it is known in the prior art you have ashtrays with collapsible bottoms functioning to empty ashes from the ashtray into a larger container below.
These receptacles are designed to receive large quantity of ashes before emptying is necessary and are not designed to be trash receptacles. Any trash deposited in them is mixed with the ashes and is subject to catching fire. Also, previously, ashtrays have been combined with containers such as for tobacco, cigarettes and matches. Most of these devices serve as smokers' appliances by providing a container for the tobacco or cigarettes and a combined closure-ashtray.
The closure-ashtrays are generally designed to function as covers for the containers until the tobacco or cigarettes are depleted and the containers discarded. Further, the closure-ashtray must be removed to gain access into the container.
Another drawback commonly associated with prior art combination trash/ash receptacles is that they are typically cumbersome and are not ergonomically optimized.
Since public areas are often crowded for space most prior art structures take up room in an objectable manner. Still further, most prior art structures suffer from lacing in theft prevention features. Indeed, it is a sad reality of modem times that objects left outdoors and unattended are subject to being vandalized and stolen. Thus, it relatively often happens with prior art structures that the latter be stolen requiring costly replacement.
Also, some of the prior art structures suffer from defining horizontal surfaces which could be unwantingly used by lazy individuals as permanent resting surfaces for their trash and other materials. Still further, some prior art structures were unergonomically designed and, thus, do not allow for quick and easy maintenance and cleaning thereof.
Furthermore, some of the prior art structures are relatively complex and require different manufacturing processes for the ashtray and trash receptacle sections. The different design used for the ashtray and the trash receptacle not only increases the production cost but also suffers from providing an aesthetical solutions. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved combination refuse and ash receptacle unit.
Advantages of the present invention include the fact that in one embodiment of the invention the proposed refuse and ash receptacle unit provides separate containers for trash and ash thus reducing the risk of dangerous blazes resulting from trash being carelessly dropped in an ashtray containing an unextinguished cigarette. Further, the proposed unit is specifically configured so as to deter individuals from inadvertently throwing trash into the ashtray container.
Also, the proposed refuse and ash receptacle unit is provided with a space saving design so as to take up room in an objectionable manner. Furthermore, the proposed refuse and ash receptacle unit is provided with top surface adapted to deter individuals from inadvertently leaving objects thereon. Still further, the proposed unit is provided with integral locking means for reducing the risk of theft thereof. Still further, the proposed unit has built-in ergonomic features for facilitating maintenance and cleaning thereof. Also, the proposed unit is specifically designed so as to be mountable either to a vertical or an horizontal supporting structure.
Furthermore, the present invention provides for a structure that can be adapted with limited modifications to be used either as a trash receptacle for receiving conventional trash or as an ashtray. Thus, the same structure with small modifications can serve either purpose and, hence, relative similar structures can be mounted adjacent one another and destined for separate uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a refuse container for receiving refuse, the refuse container being mountable to a stable surface such as a wall or a ground surface, the refuse container comprising an anchoring structure; an anchoring structure-to-stable surface attachment means for solidly attaching the anchoring structure to the stable surface; a protective casing defining an enclosed casing volume, the protective casing also defining a casing aperture for allowing the refuse to be inserted into the casing volume; a casing-to-anchoring structure releasable attachment means for releasably attaching the protective casing to the anchoring structure; an open top refuse receptacle mounted within the casing volume and positioned so as to receive the refuse when dropped into the casing volume from the casing aperture; a theft prevention means for selectively preventing the detachment of the protective casing from the anchoring structure and selectively preventing the withdrawal of the refuse receptacle from the casing volume.
Preferably, the protective casing includes a first casing segment and a second casing segment, the first casing segment and the second casing segment being detachably attached together by a segment attachment means; the theft prevention means includes a releasable locking means for releasably locking together the first casing segment and the second casing segment in a segment locked configuration.
Conveniently, the casing aperture extends through the first casing segment and the casing-to-anchoring structure releasable attachment means cooperates with the second casing segment for releasably attaching the protective casing to the anchoring structure.
Preferably, the anchoring structure defines a generally horizontally extending hooking edge and a generally vertical fastening surface; the second casing segment includes a rear wall; a hooking structure extends rearwardly from the rear wall, the hooking structure being configured, sized and positioned so as to be releasably hookable over the hooking edge part of the anchoring structure; a casing-to-anchoring structure fastening means extends through both the rear wall and the fastening surface for fastening the casing to the anchoring structure when the hooking structure is hooked on the hooking edge, the fastening means being configured so as to be accessible only when the first casing segment is at least partially separated from the second casing segment.
Conveniently, the rear wall has a generally rectangular configuration defining a rear wall upper peripheral edge, a rear wall lower peripheral edge and a pair
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