REFUSE RECEPTACLE FOR SACHETS

The present invention relates to a refuse receptacle, in particular to a refuse receptacle for placing on or mounting to a horizontal food serving surface, such as a table top or bench, for collecting used food sachets.

Commercial food outlets, such as restaurants and cafes, typically provide consumers with a choice of condiments, such as sugar, salt and pepper, to be used by the consumers on or with their food or drinks. While condiments may be provided in bulk, such as in an open or lidded container, such containers of bulk condiments are often subject to contamination. To avoid this problem, individual food sachets providing single-use portions of condiments have become popular. Food sachets, such as for sugar, salt or pepper, are typically provided in a rectangular form, or more recently in an elongate 'stick' form.

Food sachets are typically made of light-weight paper, plastic or foil, and have an interior space within which contents of the food sachet are stored. To use the food sachet, the consumer typically tears the sachet either partially or completely across the interior space, and then empties the contents of the sachet before discarding the sachet as litter. Often the sachet litter is not properly disposed of, and the litter is easily susceptible to movement by wind, potentially scattering the sachet litter over a wide area. Because of this, the litter is often not collected, and this becomes an environmental problem and an eyesore when sufficient litter occurs.

Also, due to the typically small size of single-use food sachets, and the lightweight materials from which they are formed, discarded sachet litter is usually very small and light, and therefore difficult and time consuming to collect.

Moreover, it can be annoying to dining customers if the obligation to prevent used sachets from becoming litter is placed on them rather than the dining proprietor providing a suitable disposal facility.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a device which provides for discarded food sachet litter to be disposed of easily, and at the point at which the sachet is used, and that can assist in the environmental management of eating areas.

According to the present invention, there is provided a refuse receptacle for placing on or mounting to a generally horizontal food serving surface of the form of a table or bench, for the collection of used food sachets, the receptacle including: a receptacle body, intermediate a base and a lid; wherein the lid extends upwardly and away from the body and includes an aperture, and wherein the aperture has a size to accept used food sachets therethrough for collection within the receptacle body.

The aperture in the lid has a size to accept used food sachets, and preferably the aperture size is such that the used food sachets fit snugly through the aperture, to prevent the receptacle being used for other types of larger rubbish for which it is not intended. The aperture in the lid can be any suitable shape, such as square, rectangular, round or oval, to suit the shape of the particular used food sachets to be disposed.

In a preferred embodiment, the aperture size has a general length dimension of between 10mm and 60mm and a general width dimension of between 2mm and 15mm. In the case of a typical rectangular-shaped sachet, the length dimension of the aperture is preferably about 45mm and the width dimension is preferably about 6mm. In the case of a typical elongate 'stick'-shaped sachet which has a length of about 80mm to 120mm and a width of about 12mm to 25mm, the length dimension of the aperture is preferably about 38mm and the width dimension is preferably about 5mm.

In the case of a round aperture, the aperture size preferably has a diameter of between 10mm and 50mm, and more preferably about 12mm.

The aperture can be centrally located in the lid, thereby allowing easy access from all directions, which is advantageous if the receptacle is placed in the centre of a dining or coffee table. Alternatively, the aperture can also be positioned offset from the centre of the lid, perhaps for reasons of aesthetics, or if the aperture of the receptacle only needs to be accessed from one side of the receptacle, such as when a receptacle is placed at one end or side of a table. Additionally, or alternatively, the lid may include more than one aperture.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid is of an outwardly curved shape, to limit the collection of dust and food particles, particularly such food particles as may remain in an otherwise empty food sachet. The lid may be any suitable curved shape, for example of constant radius, such as part cylindrically shaped, or dome shaped. The aperture(s) can be positioned in the lid as desired. The provision of a lid which extends upwardly and outwardly, preferably according to the alternatives discussed above, advantageously provides for a refuse receptacle which is more easily kept clean because of the limitation to collection of dust and particularly food particles as discussed above. For example, as a sugar sachet is disposed into the refuse receptacle, sugar that remains within the sachet can escape through the opening of the sachet before the sachet is pushed into the refuse receptacle. That sugar may escape onto the lid of the refuse receptacle, but because the lid presents an inclined surface, the sugar tends not to collect on the lid, but rather, the sugar tends to run off the lid and onto the surface on which the refuse receptacle is supported. Advantageously, the lid of the refuse receptacle does not collect sugar. Instead, the sugar tends to fall to the surface on which the refuse receptacle is supported, which in a cafe or restaurant usually will be wiped down between customers. The shape of the lid will determine the extent to which the sachet contents will not collect on the lid and testing indicates that the domed lid performs well, but other lid shapes will also achieve the desired outcome of at least substantially all of any sachet contents that are discharged onto the lid, falling to the surface on which the refuse receptacle is supported.

The overall construction of the receptacle according to the invention may also be varied, so as to be aesthetically proportionate to other table service receptacles such as salt and pepper shakers, sauce bottles, serviette containers etc. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle body is cylindrical, having a diameter of between 40mm and 90mm and a height of between 20mm and 160mm. However, the receptacle body may be any suitable shape, such as square, oblong or oval. A square body may have a side dimension of between 50mm and 160mm and a height of between 20mm and 160mm, while an oblong body may have sides and height also between these ranges.

The receptacle can further include a stabilising means to stabilise the receptacle against tipping over. In one embodiment, the stabilising means includes a weight which forms part of the base. However in combination or in an alternative embodiment, the stabilising means includes a wide base support, wherein the receptacle can be releasably engaged with the wide base support, the wide base support being preferably larger in overall dimension than the base of the receptacle on which the receptacle would otherwise be supported. The stabilising means can advantageously reduce the accidental tipping of the receptacle which may be caused by windy conditions in outdoor eating areas, or by shifting of a table on which the receptacle is placed, or by direct but unintentional bumping contact by consumers.

The receptacle can also include a fixing means, for fixing the receptacle to a horizontal food serving surface. In one embodiment, the fixing means forms part of the base and/or the receptacle body. However, in an alternative embodiment, the fixing means forms part of the wide base support. The fixing means may be fixed to a horizontal food serving surface by screws, adhesive, magnets or any other suitable fixing means.

In one embodiment, the receptacle can be constructed such that the base and the lid are formed integrally with the receptacle body. This may be suitable in situations where receptacles are intended to be disposed once they become full of sachet litter.

Alternatively, the receptacle can be constructed such that at least one of the lid and the base are releasably engaged with the receptacle body. The releasable engagement can be a screw thread, a friction fit or any suitable configuration of fastener. When one or other of the lid and the base are released from engagement with the receptacle body, the sachet litter can then be emptied out, and the receptacle re-used for further sachet litter collection. Additionally, this configuration allows for ease of cleaning of the receptacle parts once they are separated.

Where the receptacle is constructed with at least one or the other of the lid and the base being releasably engaged with the receptacle body, the receptacle can further include a liner to line an interior space in the receptacle body and to receive used food sachets which are collected in the receptacle body. Advantageously, when one of the lid or the base is released from engagement with the receptacle body, the liner can be removed and either replaced or emptied as required.

In one arrangement, one or more of the receptacle body, the base and the lid may also be disposable.

The receptacle can include signage on one or more of the receptacle body, the base and the lid, for the purpose of advertising.

In another embodiment, the receptacle further includes a condiment holder, wherein the condiment holder can accommodate unused food sachets. Preferably the condiment holder defines a cavity with an open top, while the condiment holder can be any suitable shape or configuration to accommodate unused food sachets. In one arrangement, the condiment holder is generally U- shaped, to fit about one half of a cylindrical receptacle body. Alternatively, the condiment holder can fit fully about the receptacle body, for example to encircle the receptacle body. The condiment holder preferably has an internal surface which is shaped complementary to the outer surface of the receptacle body about which it extends. The external surface can be any suitable shape, such

as round or square. The condiment holder can further include one or more partitions, preferably four or six partitions, the or each partition being arranged so as to form sections in the condiment holder, so that at least one of the sections can accommodate unused food sachets.

The condiment holder can be formed integrally with the receptacle, or it can be releasably mounted to the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment the condiment holder is releasably mounted to the receptacle by magnetic means. It will be appreciated that where any form of magnetic means is employed, the material of the receptacle, at least at the mounting position, must be magnetically attractive. Other arrangements can also be employed. For example, the condiment holder can include a cavity into which the receptacle is placed and retained. The receptacle can simply sit within a suitable cavity possibly supported on a base or lip of the cavity, or it can be positively retained within a cavity, such as by magnetic means. Alternatively, the receptacle may include a threaded base, which threadably engages walls of the cavity, or the base can include a threaded opening for threading onto a threaded pin or the like of the condiment holder. Where the receptacle is releasably mounted to the condiment holder, the releasable mounting allows ease of cleaning, as well as allowing the receptacle and the condiment holder to be easily separated for emptying of the receptacle of sachet litter, or re-filling of the condiment holder with unused food sachets.

A clip can be provided to attach the refuse receptacle to a condiment holder. The clip can include retaining means to retain the receptacle and connecting means to connect to a condiment holder. The retaining means can be a band which attaches about the receptacle.

A refuse receptacle of the above described kind advantageously allows sachet litter to be easily disposed of in the immediate vicinity at which diners are dining. Thus, there is no possibility that the sachet litter is improperly disposed of to become an environmental problem and the receptacles provide a convenient device allowing restaurant or cafe staff to empty the receptacles into

appropriate litter bins, as required. Moreover, the receptacle of the invention can have an aesthetically pleasing appearance and is easy to maintain in a hygienic manner.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be performed, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of a refuse receptacle according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the refuse receptacle of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a top view of the refuse receptacle of Figure 1 .

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a refuse receptacle according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top view of a condiment holder for use with a refuse receptacle according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a clip for use with a refuse receptacle according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a refuse receptacle according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a refuse receptacle 10 is shown, which includes a lid 1 1 , a body 12 and a base 13. The receptacle 10 is intended to be placed on a horizontal food serving surface, such as a coffee or dining table, bench or counter or the like, and the base 13 therefore defines a flat under surface 14 for resting against or mounting on the horizontal serving surface.

The body 12 of the receptacle 10 is cylindrical, although it could alternatively be of any suitable shape, such as square or rectangular. If it is cylindrical as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it preferably has a diameter of between 40mm and 90mm and a height between 70mm and 140mm. If it is square or rectangular, it preferably has length and width dimensions between 50mm and 160mm and a height between 20mm and 160mm.

The lid 1 1 is also cylindrical where it meets or connects with the body 12 but the lid continues into a domed configuration as illustrated. Again however, the lid can have other shapes that extend upwardly and away from the body 12 and for example, the lid could be of any suitable outwardly curved shape. A part cylindrically shaped lid 40 is shown in Figure 7 which will be discussed later herein. If the body 12 is square or rectangular, the preference is that the lid 1 1 would have a complementary shape at least at the position at which it meets or connects with the body 12. An advantage of the domed shape illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is that it can prevent the collection of dust or food particles such as those which may remain in an otherwise empty food sachet.

Each of Figures 1 to 3 show an aperture 15 which extends centrally through the domed surface 16 of the lid 1 1 . The aperture 15 is sized for receipt, preferably snug receipt of used sachets, which typically are provided at eateries and cafes.

The receptacle 10 has been developed for use principally with sugar sachets and these come in varying shapes and sizes. For example, rectangular-shaped sachets can have dimensions such as 35 x 50mm or be more of an elongate stick shape, with dimensions such as 1 10 x 12mm and the aperture 15 is shaped to be slightly larger than the sachet dimensions, so that used sachets can easily be inserted through the aperture 15 into the receptacle 10 for later disposal. It will be appreciated, that when the sachet is emptied of its contents, its width or thickness will be less than when it contains contents, and therefore the width W (Figure 1 ) of the aperture 15 can be less than the actual width or thickness of a sachet which is full.

In Figures 1 and 2, the base 13 is shown as being formed integrally with the body 12. In that form of the invention, the lid 12 can be removable from the body 12 and Figure 4 shows an exploded view with the lid 12 so removed. In the Figure 4 arrangement, the body 12 includes an interior sleeve 17 onto which the lid 1 1 is fitted by a friction fit to assemble the receptacle 10. The lid could alternatively be a screw thread fit onto the sleeve 17, or a snap fit, or it could be formed integrally with the body 12.

The base 13 could likewise be a separate component to the body 12, and could be fitted to the body 12 by the same arrangements used for the lid 1 1 .

The receptacle 10 can be made of any suitable materials, and typically it will be of plastic or lightweight metal. Alternatively, the receptacle could be formed of paper or cardboard and this is preferred if the receptacle 10 is to be disposable. The receptacle 10 of the invention can be used either inside or outside, and if used outside, the receptacle 10 can include stabilising means to stabilise the receptacle against tipping over, such as in windy conditions. The stabilising means might also be appropriate for indoor use, so that the receptacle 10 does not tip over when a table on which it is placed, is bumped or shifted. In Figure 4, stabilising means is provided by a weight 18 which is positioned within the receptacle 10 at the base 13. The weight 18 can be a disc of metal or other suitably heavy material.

The stabilising means can also include or take an alternative form, such as a sleeved base 19 or ring into which the base 13 of the receptacle 10 is fitted.

Thus, in the exploded view of Figure 4, the base 13 is received within a cylindrical sleeve of the base 19 to provide for additional stability when the receptacle 10 is placed on a horizontal surface. The base 19 can have a suitable weight to provide stability, or it can have a greater diameter than the diameter of the body 12 so as to provide a broader, more stable support. Thus, the base 19 as shown in Figure 4 can be much wider than shown to provide for increased stability.

The lid 1 1 can include signage provided on an outer facing surface thereof to clearly indicate the use of the receptacle 10 for the disposal of elongate sugar sachets.

Figure 5 illustrates a condiment holder that can be employed with the receptacle 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the condiment holder 25 is circular and includes a central recess 26 to receive and accommodate the base 13 of the receptacle 10. The recess 26 can include a base to support the receptacle.

The condiment holder 25 is illustrated as being a separate component to the receptacle 10. In an alternative arrangement, the condiment holder 26 and the receptacle 10 could be formed integrally.

The condiment holder 25 includes an outer wall 27 and between the outer wall 27 and the inner wall 28, partitions 29 extend. The partitions 29 define the area between the inner and outer walls 27 and 28 into cavities 30. These cavities can be employed to store unused sachets, and other condiments. It is not essential that the cavities have a base, although it is preferred for a base to be included, so that if the condiment holder 25 is lifted, the condiments stored in the cavities 30 go with it.

The height of the condiment holder 25 would depend somewhat on the types of condiments that are to be stored therein and so the holder could extend for a substantial height of the receptacle 10, or for only a small amount of that height.

Figure 6 illustrates a clip 35 that can be used to fix the receptacle 10 to a condiment holder, or to a non-horizontal surface, such as a vertical surface. For example, the receptacle 10 might be useful mounted to a wall, or to an edge of a dining table or bench. The clip includes a mounting plate 36 which can be fixed to a vertical surface. The mounting plate 36 can include openings for receipt of suitable fasteners, such as nails or screw threaded fasteners, to fasten the clip to the vertical surface. Still further, the clip may be attached to a

suitable vertical surface by adhesive tape or glue, or by a hook and loop fastener. In other words, any suitable fastening arrangement can be provided to attach the clip either permanently or releasably to a suitable vertical surface. Attached to the mounting plate 36, is a circular band 37, which in use extends about the base 13 or body 12 of the receptacle 10 and supports the receptacle. The band 37 can include a base or lip to support the receptacle 10.

The clip 35 could also be used to support the receptacle 10 relative to a condiment holder. For example, the mounting plate 36 could be curved to match the outer wall 27 of the condiment holder 25, and could be fixed to the outer wall in any suitable manner.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative refuse receptacle 40 which has a lid 41 , a body 42 and a base 43. In this embodiment, the body 42 and the base 43 are rectangular in plan view, although they could equally be square in plan view.

The lid 41 includes a curved outer surface which is formed as a part cylindrical shape, and in the embodiment shown, the lid is a half cylinder. Alternatively however, the lid could be less than half cylindrical.

The lid 41 includes opposite ends 44 and these can extend vertically, in the same plane as the end walls 45 of the body 42, or alternatively, the walls 44 can be inclined inwardly from the junction 46 with the end walls 45.

The lid 41 includes an aperture 47 through which food sachets can be inserted to within the interior of the refuse receptacle 40. As explained earlier, the provision of a curved lid 41 tends to prevent collection of sachet contents on the surface of the lid 41 as the contents tend to fall under gravity from the lid 41 onto the surface on which the refuse receptacle 40 is supported.

The receptacle 40 is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 in combination with separate condiment holders 50 and 51 . The condiment holder 50 is rectangular and includes a central region for receipt of the body 42 of the refuse receptacle 40.

The condiment holder 50 includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel side walls 52 and a pair of spaced apart and parallel end walls 53. The condiment holder 50 extends beyond each end wall 45 of the refuse receptacle 40 and includes a pair of partitions 54 to separate the holder into four condiment holding sections. Thus, for example, different types of sugar sachets could be included in the separate sections defined between the side and end walls 52, 53 and the partitions 54.

Figure 9 illustrates an alternative condiment holder 51 , that includes side walls 55 and end walls 56, but in the arrangement of Figure 9, the holder 51 extends beyond only one of the end walls 45 of the refuse receptacle 40. That section is partitioned by partitions 57 so that three condiment holding sections are formed by the holder 51 .

It will be appreciated that the arrangements illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 represent only two possible alternatives for the combination of refuse receptacles and condiment holders. The arrangements illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 differ from the earlier arrangement described in relation to the refuse receptacle 10 and the condiment holder 25, but the arrangements of Figures 8 and 9 illustrate clearly, that various different configurations can be achieved by the combination of a refuse receptacle with a condiment holder.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.