Abstract:
A disposable, fireproof receptacle for combustible debris for use in a cigarette receptacle is disclosed. The liner may be made from a metallic foil or other inexpensive, fire resistant material. The liner may be used in combination with or without a pail inside the receptacle. The metallic foil makes the liner resistant to fire and is inexpensive enough to also be disposable. When filled with debris the liner can be removed and sealed to allow convenient, safe disposal of the grimy and potentially hot debris inside the liner.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/844,796 filed Sep. 15, 2006 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to the disposal of combustible debris. In particular, the present invention relates a disposable fireproof container for use within a collection device for the collection and disposal of cigarettes, cigars and other small combustible debris. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Most buildings generally have ash trays or other receptacles at building entrances and/or in designated smoking areas, in which smokers can dispose of their used smoking materials. Many of these receptacles have been designed to suppress or prevent fires within the receptacle by eliminating the oxygen needed to fuel a fire. The receptacles often have buckets that collect cigarette butts that are dropped into the containers. 
         [0004]    Almost invariably, the buckets become coated with nicotine, become smelly and generally become undesirable to touch and handle. Moreover, the bucket needs to be dumped once it has been removed. This leads to ash and other light material possibly becoming airborne and further irritating the person responsible for dumping the bucket. Changing the buckets becomes an undesirable job which no one wants to do. Often the bucket becomes so polluted with cigarette residue, such as ash, tar and nicotine, that the bucket is simply discarded and replaced. 
         [0005]    Most receptacles designed to prevent fires do so by eliminating oxygen around the combustion and thereby suffocating the fire. In general, these containers work well for preventing fires within the receptacle. However, the potential for fire still exist when the receptacles are emptied. When the cover of the cigarette receptacle is removed combustible material may still be smoldering. Oxygen rich air surrounds the material and it may reignite. If not detected the hot or burning material may be dumped into a larger container such as a dumpster or trash can which will often contain other combustible material. Obviously, this may lead to an undesirable and dangerous situation. 
         [0006]    The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A disposable, fireproof receptacle for combustible debris for use in a cigarette receptacle is disclosed. The receptacle may be a liner may be made from an inexpensive, fire resistant material such as metallic foil or plastic. The liner may be used in combination with or without a pail inside the receptacle. The metallic foil or plastic is inexpensive enough to also be disposable. When filled with debris the liner can be removed and sealed to allow clean safe disposal of the grimy and potentially hot debris inside the liner. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the present invention provides a receptacle for combustible debris comprising a base having at least one wall defining an interior chamber, a removable cover atop the base having an opening for receiving the combustible debris, a pail positioned under the opening of the removable cover and inside the interior chamber, a fireproof, disposable liner inside the pail. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a receptacle for combustible debris comprising a base having at least one wall defining an interior chamber, a removable cover atop the base having an opening for receiving the combustible debris, a fireproof, disposable liner positioned under the opening of the removable cover and inside the interior chamber. 
         [0010]    Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method of emptying a cigarette butt receptacle comprising the steps of removing a cover from the cigarette butt receptacle, removing a fireproof liner at least partially filled with cigarette butts or other debris, folding and rolling a top edge of the fireproof liner upon other portions of the top edge of the fireproof liner to close the liner, disposing of the liner and debris, positioning a new liner into the cigarette butt receptacle, and replacing the cover on the cigarette butt receptacle. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects will become more apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is oblique view showing the top and side of a liner according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is oblique view showing the bottom and side of a liner according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an oblique view of a prior art cigarette receptacle. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is the cigarette receptacle of  FIG. 3  with a portion of the base and cover cut away to expose the collection pail inside. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded oblique view of a liner installed inside the collection pail according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an oblique view of a liner which is partially sealed according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an oblique view of liner filled with debris that has been sealed and is ready for disposal according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an oblique view of a package of liners packed in a box according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an oblique view of a liner having radial pleats in an expanded position according one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an oblique view of a liner having vertical pleats according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a liner made by sealing the edges opposing sheets according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is front view of a flattened liner made from two opposing sheets sealed along the sides and bottom of each sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 13-14  are a perspective view and side view respectively of the liner of  FIG. 11  in an opened position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is an oblique view of a cigarette receptacle with the cover removed and a liner installed in a pail according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an oblique view of a cigarette receptacle with the cover removed and a liner installed without a pail according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , a disposable, fireproof liner  10  for use in a cigarette butt receptacle is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. As used herein, the term “fireproof” refers to a material which is very resistant to fire or is treated or manufactured to be very difficult to burn and therefore destroyed by fire. As used herein the term “disposable” refers to a product designed to be disposed of after use. Disposable products are generally products in which the replacement cost is outweighed by other factors such as convenience, quality, environment or safety. In this embodiment the liner  10  is generally frusto-conical in shape and comprises a radial wall  12  intersecting a bottom  14  at a lower end and ending with a radially extending top edge  16  at an upper end. A radially extending top edge  16  allows for easier installation and removal of the liner from the receptacle by providing a convenient secure place to place one&#39;s hands while grasping the liner  10 . 
         [0028]    The liner  10  is made from a fire resistant material such as metallic foil. The material may be industrial foil, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, steel alloy, and foils. In another embodiment, the liner  10  is made from fire resistant plastic. In yet another embodiment, the liner  10  is made from a laminate material having a fire resistant interior surface layer and an external layer made from a different material. The gauge of the foils may be between 0.5 mil to 5.0 mil, for example 1.0 mil to 4.0 mil. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cigarette receptacle  20  is shown. Cigarette receptacles  20  are available in many configurations and are often referred to as smoking posts, stands, and containers to name a few. Cigarette receptacles  20  of this and other configurations are commonly found in and around buildings. These receptacles often have a base  22  and a cover  23  having an extension  24  a slit or opening  26  is often found somewhere near the top of extension  24 . The opening  26  is provided to allow butts of cigarettes, cigars and other small items to be inserted into the container while restricting access to larger items. The receptacle  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is only one many configurations currently available for cigarette receptacles. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the receptacle  20  shown in  FIG. 2  is depicted with a portion of the cover  23  and base  22  cut away. In this view, it can be seen that a pail is located inside of receptacle  20 . The pail  30  collects cigarette butts and other debris inserted into opening  26 . According to prior art configurations when the pail  30  is full the cover  23  is removed and pail  30  is emptied into a larger trash container (not shown). The pail  30  is generally coated with nicotine and other debris and is generally undesirable to smell as well as touch. Furthermore, if one of the butts is still hot at this point there is a risk that the trash container into which the pail is emptied could catch fire. 
         [0031]    According to the present invention, a liner  10  may be inserted into the pail  30  before or after the pail  30  is placed into the receptacle  20 .  FIG. 5  shows a liner  10  about to be installed in the pail  30 . The cover  23  has been removed from the base  22  of the receptacle  20  and the old liner has been discarded. The pail  30  may remain in the base  22  while new liner is lowered into the pail  30 . The liner  10  in this embodiment is made of a metallic foil which is fireproof and economically priced. Additionally, it is gauged to provide sufficient ductility to enable it to be easily manipulated. 
         [0032]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a liner is used without pail  30 . For example, in  FIG. 5  there would be no pail  30 . Liner  10  is gauged to be free standing and is installed directly into the base  22  or the receptacle  20 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , when full the liner  10  is removed from pail  30  the side walls  12  near the top edge  16  may be rolled over one upon the other. This seals the liner  10  suffocating any combustion within the liner  10  and keeps the hot debris separate from any combustible material while it cools. Moreover, the ability to close the liner in this fashion prevents any debris, e.g., hot embers and smoke from escaping the liner  10  and igniting combustible material within a larger trash container.  FIG. 6  shows the liner  10  in the process of being closed and  FIG. 7  shows the liner fully closed and ready to be discarded. While  FIGS. 6-7  illustrate the top of the liner  10  rolled upon itself, it is also contemplated that a twisting or folding the liner  10  may be equaling effective in sealing the liner  10 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the liner  100  is radially pleated in an accordion style so it may be compressed to be compactly stored and shipped within a container; for example a box  40  as seen in  FIG. 8 . It is also, contemplated that other embodiments of the liner may be conveniently packaged, e.g. the liners  1  of  FIG. 1  could be fit one inside the other to be shipped and sold. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  shows one of the liners  100  removed from the box  40  shown in  FIG. 8  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As seen radial pleats  111  within radial wall  112  can be unfolded to expand the liner  100 . Grip apertures  118  may also be included within the radial wall  112 . The radial pleats  111  may be expanded by pushing on the bottom  114  of the liner  100  while holding an upper portion of the liner  100 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 10-14  show several other embodiments of the liner of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 9 , vertical pleats  211  may be formed in the radial wall  212  of the liner  200 . Vertical pleats are provided to increase rigidity in a vertical direction. This design may be particularly appropriate in embodiments in which the liner  200  will be used as a free standing element without the aid of a pail  30 . 
         [0037]    The liner  300  shown in  FIG. 10  may be desirable in some instances due to greater ease of manufacture. As seen two fire resistant sheets such as foil sheets  302  may be held together at seams  304 . Seams  304  comprise portions of each sheet where foil has been joined with the foil of the opposing sheet  302 . This may be accomplished through, for example, spot welding, adhesive or crimping. If the sheets are comprised of fire resistant plastic appropriate joining may include ultra sonic sealing or a preformed one piece folded design. The liner  300  in this embodiment would also require a bottom (not shown) which would likewise require a seal between the bottom and the sheets  302 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 12-14  show yet another embodiment of a liner  400  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, opposing foil sheets  402 ,  403  are fastened one sheet  402  to other sheet  403  at side edges  404 ,  406  and bottom edge  405 . Sealed edges of the liner  400  seen in  FIGS. 12-14  may be fixed as described above with reference to seals in  FIG. 10 . In this configuration, the liner  400  can be stored and shipped in a flat position. Then before being put into service the liner  400  can be prepared by pulling the sheets  402 ,  403  in opposite directions while pressing sealed edges  404  and  406  towards one another. As seen in  FIG. 13 , the liner  400  in this embodiment has no bottom. Instead, lower portion of the liner  400  is sealed at edge  405 . 
         [0039]    The liners of the present invention are generally structured to have a capacity of about 1 quart to about 30 quarts. Liners may have a diameter about 3″ to about 24″, for example about 8.25″ to about 11.5″. The liners may have a height of about 5″ to about 30″, for example about 7.5″ to about 10.25″. 
         [0040]    As seen in  FIG. 15  and as described above the liner  10  may be used in combination with a pail  30 . The cigarette receptacle  20  is shown with cover  24  removed so pail  30  and liner  10  may be viewed. In this embodiment, the liner is removed and discarded when full. A new liner  10  is then installed in the pail. As a result, the new liner is installed quickly and easily. In addition, fire hazards are greatly reduced and the pail  30  almost never needs to be replaced. Pails  30  utilized without a liner often become coated with sticky, malodorous tar resin and require replacement. 
         [0041]      FIG. 16  depicts a freestanding liner  200  installed directly into a base  22  of a cigarette receptacle  20  without a pail  30 . Again the cigarette receptacle  20  is shown with cover  24  removed. The freestanding liner  200  may or may not have optional supports (not shown) to provide stability. The supports could be in the form of a light metal frame or extensions of the base  22 . As in other embodiments, the liner  200  is simply removed, sealed and discarded when full. A new liner  200  replaces the old one and no pails  30  are necessary. 
         [0042]    Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.