1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of filtering or deodorizing devices, and more particularly to the field of such devices that deodorize, filter or capture odors and smoke from containers or receptacles for cigarette ashes and cigarette butts. Still more particularly, the invention relates to such devices that deodorize, filter or capture odors and smoke from cigarette butts deposited into containers or receptacles for disposal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to the acknowledged dangers of cigarette smoke and in particular second hand smoke, many buildings are now designated as non-smoking buildings where smokers are not allowed to have or bring lit cigarettes inside. Often a designated outdoor smoking area is provided where employees or others may congregate to partake of a smoking break during the day. Because of these policies, it is not uncommon to find a cigarette butt disposal problem at building entrances and designated smoking areas, in that many individuals will simply drop their cigarette butts or partially smoked cigarettes on the ground, resulting in unsightly collections of large numbers of cigarette butts. Since the butts do not degrade, the areas must be cleaned often.
A common response to this situation has been to place ashtray-type trash collector devices in the needed locations. These ashtray-type devices consist of an upright cylindrical tube with a concave retainer of exposed sand on the top. Apertures for insertion of trash are placed on the side of the cylinder. These devices are not suitable for external locations where wind and rain may be encountered, and the devices are not aesthetically pleasing since the cigarette butts are simply stuck into the sand where they remain visible until the sand is cleaned.
More recently, cigarette butt containment vessels have been developed that are designed to receive the cigarette butts internally while presenting a more pleasant appearance. An example of such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,355, issued Feb. 13, 2001, to Luedcke, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The Luedcke containment vessel has a housing with a receptacle base that retains a removable bucket-type container. The upper portion of the housing is a removable elongated tube that is much narrower than the receptacle base. Lateral openings are disposed near the top of the tube to receive the cigarette butts being disposed. The tube is centered over the receptacle base and bucket, such that the butts are guided into the bucket when inserted through the lateral openings. The housing is typically made of plastic, while the bucket is metal so as to be maximally resistant to heat damage.
While this design addresses the visual problem associated with cigarette butt disposal, a new problem related to odor arises with their use. The disposal of large numbers of cigarette butts results in an accumulation of smoke, nicotine and tar within the containment vessel, regardless of how often the vessel is emptied, which over time is of sufficient concentration such that a strong, foul odor is emitted through the lateral openings that is readily apparent to anyone passing by or using the containment vessel.
It can therefore be appreciated that a need exists for a solution to the problem of odorous cigarette butt containers. The present invention addresses such a need.