US3309160A - Container apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 14 1967 L, H, LEWlS 3,309,160

CONTAINER APPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1965 nu. z"

L/IVFQRD ll. LEW/5 Man/a United States Ratent 3,39,i6fi Patented Mar. 14, 1967 Free 3,309,160 CQNTAINER APPARATUS Linford H. Lewis, 3408 Ashvilie St,

Philadelphia, Pa. 19136 Filed Oct. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 494,656 12 Claims. (Cl. 312-308) Many municipalities have promulgated ordinances which prohibit litering streets with refuse, cigarette butts or the like. Refuse disposal containers are provided therefor, however, since much of the refuse is flammable, it is necessary to provide a separate receptacle for cigarettes and ashes. The refuse containers and separate cigarette receptacles, in the past, have been subject to a great deal of vandalism resulting in their disappearance and destruction, particularly the smaller cigarette receptacles. Therefore, it has been necessary to provide heavier, sturdier cigarette receptacles which are permanently affixed in place; for example, by clamping to a pole. Servicing of the containers and receptacles and collection of refuse and cigarettes therefrom, requires extra efforts for the separate units. Furthermore, the permanent fixture nature of the recepacles makes them clumsy and difficult to empty.

Therefore, to overcome the foregoing and other difiiculties of the prior art, the principal object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved container apparatus for refuse, cigarettes, and ashes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new container apparatus having a refuse collection chamber and a separate cigarette and ash receptacle.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved container apparatus which provides a separate unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes, which unit may be locked thereon to prohibit the disappearance and destruction thereof by vandals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container apparatus which provides a separate cigarette and ash receptacle which may be easily detached and emptied by authorized personnel.

t is still another object to provide a new and improved container apparatus which has a refuse removal door that automatically secures a cigarette and ash receptacle thereon when the door is closed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container apparatus which may be locked together with a cigarette and ash receptacle unit thereof by merely locking a refuse removal door thereof.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved container apparatus which is of high utility, providing an attractive appearance and the one whichmay readily be manufactured at low cost.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings, forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container apparatus embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 1 taken along line 22.

FIGURE 3 is a partial elevational view of the container apparatus of FIGURE 1, showing part of the door from the inside;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the recessed top of the door of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified form ofcontainer apparatus embodying the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 6 taken along line 77;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view taken in the direction of arrows 88 of FIGURE 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a representation of the container apparatus of the present invention designated generally as 10. The container apparatus 10 comprises a body 12 having vertical side wall panels 14 and a back panel 18 which are of substantially rectangular form. Vertical front frame members 20, 22 together with horizontal top and bottom frame members 24, 26 provide a refuse removal opening which is enclosed by a door 23. The door 28 is secured by hinges 30 on the frame member 20. The body 12 is enclosed at the bottom by a floor (not shown) which is secured to the bottom of panels 14, 18 and the bottom frame member 26. The body 12 is supported at it's corners by the short leg elements 34 to elevate the floor thereof above the surface upon which the container apparatus is supported.

The top portion 36 of the container apparatus 10 is provided with four inwardly inclined ledges 38 extending from the panels 14, 18 and the top frame member 24. The ledges 38 have inner edges 40 defining an opening 42 communicating with a refuse collection chamber 44 within the body 10. Refuse removal may be facilitated by the provision of a basket 46 which is positioned under the opening 42 of the body 12 for receiving and collecting refuse which is deposited therethrough. The basket 46 is of a size which is easily accommodated by the door 28 for removal, however, being too large for removal through the opening 42.

A cigarette and ash receptacle unit 50 includes the receptacle 52 having a cavity therein for receiving cigarettes and ashes through the openings 54in its trap plate 56. The trap plate 56 is readily removable by sliding it to the back 58 of the receptacle 52, thereby allowing disposal of any cigarettes and ashes collected therein.

The receptacle unit 50 is secured in position on the door 28, as illustrated, by a retainer means comprising a tongue member 61 and a hanger member 66. The top 67 of the door 28 is provided with a recess 69 which receives the hanger member 66, hooking over and behind the door 28, as shown. The U-shaped channel member 62 is afiixed by its open ends at the front of door 28, by bolts or other suitable means, to provide a slot 65 for the reception of tongue member 61 therein. It may be readily visualized that the receptacle unit 50 is quickly and conveniently secured on the door 28, when open, by a downward insertion of the tongue member 61 and hanger member 66 into the slot 65 and recess 69, respectively. The retainer means may be fabricated out of a single strap 60, of a durable, suitable material, permanently aflixed to the back 58 of the receptacle 52. As illustrated, the strap 6!) is bent to form a hanger member 66 at the top, and extends at the bottom of receptacle 52 to provide a tongue member 61.

Notice that the receptacle unit 50 is detachable only when the door 28 is in an open position. The unit may then be detached by an upward movement disengaging the tongue member 61 from slot 65 and the hanger member 66 from the recess 69. However, when the door is in a closed position the top frame member 24 blocks upward movement and effectively secures the receptacle unit 50 on the door 28, as shown. A locking means 84 is provided to lock the door 28 at the closed position and thus, the basket 46 is lockedin body 12 and receptacle unit 50 is locked on door 23. The recess 69 at the top 67 of door 28 enables the hanger member 66 to hook around the back of the door, thereby preventing the receptacle unit 50 from being pulled off the container apparatus 10.

It is also noted that since the trap plate 56 can be removed only by sliding to the back 58 of the receptacle unit 50, that is, toward the front surface of door 28 when the receptacle unit is attached thereto. As can be seen with reference to FIGURE 2, the top frame member 24 also blocks any sliding movement of the trap plate 56. Thus, when the door 28 is in its closed and locked position, the receptacle unit 50 cannot be removed from the apparatus 10, nor may the trap plate 56 be removed from the receptacle 52. The openings 54 in the trap plate 56 are of sufiicient size to receive cigarettes, cigars and ashes, but are small enough to prevent the removal therethrough of the contents of the receptacle 52, either intentionally or accidentally.

Whereas, the unit 50 is supported by the door 28 it moves with the door away from the refuse removal opening, allowing the removal of the basket 46 and the emptying of same, independently of the removal or emptying of the receptacle unit 50. Likewise, when the door 28 is open, the receptacle 52 may be removed therefrom for emptying and replacement independent of the removal or emptying of the container 46.

The alternate embodiment of FIGURE 6 shows a container apparatus 90 adapted to be supported by a pole 1%, by securing thereto with straps (not shown) or the like. The body 92 has slide walls 94 which are narrow, in comparison to the front and back of the body 92 to provide a narrower shape than the body 12 of the em bodiment shown in FIGURE 1. Also, the top of body 92 is enclosed by a top member 95 and the sloping panel members 97. A door 96 is hinged at its top edge to swing inwardly for depositing refuse within the body 92. Otherwise, the body 92 is quite similar to body 12, having vertical front frame members 120, 122, horizontal top and bottom frame members 124, 126, and a door 128 secured by hinges 130'. The door may also be locked by means of a lock 184.

An alternate retainer means is provided for securing the receptacle unit 150 on the door 128. The door 128 is provided with a pair of spaced recesses 169 at the top 167, and a slot 165 therethrough, at a position spaced below top 167, as best shown by reference to FIGURE 8. A pair of hanger members 166 are provided at both sides of the top of receptacle 152. The hanger members 166 may be short lengths of rod, welded on the receptacle 152 and bent to form hooks for engagement in the recesses 169. The hanger member 161 may be a short piece of strap welded to the bottom of receptacle 152 and bent with a reverse curve of S-shape for insertion into the slot 165 of the door 128.

The container apparatus and 90, as described herein, thus provide for a container for refuse, as well as cigarette and ash receptacle, thereby providing a more complete apparatus for use at selected locations outside or within buildings. Since such may be located in public places, they have the advantage of also providing a tamper-proof structure which allows the ready and efiicient removal of rubbish and cigarettes and ashes only by authorized personnel.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container apparatus comprising a body providing a chamber for collecting refuse therein, a door secured on said body with open and closed positions for access to said chamber, and a cigarette and ash receptacle unit supported by and detachably secured on said door when said door is in said open position and locked in position on said door when said door is in said closed position.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said door has a retaining slot spaced below a top edge of said door, and said receptacle unit includes a retainer means for engaging said slot and top edge of said door to support and secure said unit at outside of saiddoor.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said retainer means includes a tongue member inserted within said slot and a hanger member hooked over said top edge.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said retainer means is a single strap affixed to the back of said receptacle unit, said strap extending below said unit a relatively short distance to form a short tongue for insertion within said slot, and said strap being bent to form a hanger at the top of said unit for hooking over said top edge.

1 5. A container apparatus comprising a body providing a chamber for collecting refuse therein, a door secured on said body with open and closed positions for access to said chamber, said door having a recess at its top and a retaining slot spaced below said recess, and a cigarette and ash receptacle unit including a tongue member in serted within said slot and having a hanger member en gaged in said recess to hook over said top, thereby supporting and securing said unit on said door.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said hanger member includes a portion extending along the inside of said door to lock said receptacle unit thereon when said door is in said closed position, said unit being readily detachable therefrom when said door is in said open position.

7. The apparatus in accordance wtih claim 6 wherein said door includes a means to lock it at said closed position.

8. A container apparatus comprising a body providing a chamber for collecting refuse therein, a door secured on sa d body with open and closed positions for access to said chamber, said body providing a frame member along the top of said door when in said closed position, said door having a recess in said top and a retaining slot spaced below said recess at the outside of said door, a cigarette and ash receptacle unit, and retainer means f supporting and securing the back of said unit at a positron against said outside of said door, said means including a tongue member and a hanger member for a downward insertion into said slot and recess, respectively, said receptacle thereby being readily detachable by an upward movement thereof when said door is in said open position, said upward movement being blocked by said frame member when said door is in said closed position to lock said unit thereon.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said door has a means for locking it at said closed position.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said slot is formed by a channel member of U-shape with open ends of said shape affixed against said outside of said door, and said retaining means being a single strap affixed to the back of said receptacle unit, said strap ex- 5 tending below said unit a relatively short distance to form a short tongue for insertion within said slot, and said strap being bent to form a hanger within said recess at the top of said unit for hooking over and behind said door.

11. The apparatus in accordance Wtih claim 8 wherein said slot is an aperture through said door, and said tongue member being bent with a reverse curve of S-shape for insertion within said slot.

12. An apparatus in accordance Wtih claim 8 wherein said receptacle unit includes a trap plate having holes back of said unit when said unit is detached from said door.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 589,344 8/1897 Eccleston 22018 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CONTAINER APPARATUS COMPRISING A BODY PROVIDING A CHAMBER FOR COLLECTING REFUSE THEREIN, A DOOR SECURED ON SAID BODY WITH OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS FOR ACCESS TO SAID CHAMBER, AND A CIGARETTE AND ASH RECEPTACLE UNIT SUPPORTED BY AND DETACHABLY SECURED ON SAID DOOR WHEN SAID DOOR IS IN SAID OPEN POSITION AND LOCKED IN POSITION ON SAID DOOR WHEN SAID DOOR IS IN SAID CLOSED POSITION.

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