US3738724A

US3738724A - Combination eating counter and self-contained garbage receptacle unit

Info

Publication number: US3738724A
Application number: US00124335A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Rauma
Original assignee: GRISWOLD AND RAUMA ARCHITECTS
Current assignee: GRISWOLD AND RAUMA ARCHITECTS
Priority date: 1971-03-15
Filing date: 1971-03-15
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12

Abstract

This is a combination eating counter and garbage receptacle unit in which at least a portion of the counter top is removable to provide access to the garbage receptacle area thereunder.

Description

0 United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,738,724 Rauma June 12, 1973 [54] COMBINATION EATING COUNTER AND 1,840,024 1 1932 Dalton 232/432 SELECONTAINED GARBAGE 3,140,070 7/1964 Doebele 248/99 X 3,604,677 9/1971 Gits 248/99 RECEPTACLE UNIT 1,150,490 1/1958 Lambert et al ..312/21 1 [75] Inventor: John G. Rauma, Minneapolis, Minn. 1,579,823 4/1926 Langguth ..312/211 UXA 2,6133, 39 7 1954 Brenny ..232/1 R XR [73] Assgnee' f w and 3???? 3,682,901 3/ 1963 Nakagawa 232/432 3,099,390 7/1963 Dylla 232/432 22 Filed: Mar. 15, 1971 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam [21] Appl' 1124335 Attorney-John W. Adams [52] US. Cl 3l2/140.l, 312/211, 232/432 [57] ABSTRACT 'f A47, 96/18 A47f 9/00, A47b 81/00 This is a combination eating counter and garbage re- [58] Field ofSearch ..3 12/140. 1 140.2, ceptacle unit in which at least a portion of the counter 312/284, 211,212; 232/1,43.2,44; 248/9 top is removable to provide access to the garbage re- [56] References Cited ceptacle area thereunder.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 614,827 11/1898 Bonham 312/211 X 1,115,403 10/1914 Cseh 232/43.1

PAIENIEBmu 2 am I N VEN TOR JOl/IV G. PAN/A4219 y l am Arm/away COMBINATION EATING COUNTER AND SELF-CONTAINED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE UNIT Throughout history many different types of tables and eating counters have been used in restaurants and cafeterias. Keeping the eating surfaces clean and removal and disposal of the garbage and waste paper has been a serious problem which involves considerable labor expense.

The major object of this invention is to provide an eating counter having a garbage receptacle with a receiving opening which is integrally formed with the counter and which is readily accessible to the customers. This eliminates a substantial portion of the cost of clean up labor and, in general, provides a much cleaner place for the restaurant patrons.

It is a specific object to provide a free-standing counter which forms an enclosure around a waste paper and garbage receiving receptacle and which is provided with a removable top portion to provide access to and removal of the receptacle, while at the same time providing a conveniently located waste receiving opening which permits garbage and waste paper to be deposited directly into the receptacle by the customers when they have finished eating.

It is still a further object to provide a two-section eating counter of the class described wherein the inner section is readily removable to provide access to the receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views; and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view thereof taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention; and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of the form shown in FIG. 3, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, constitutes a simplified, basic unit which includes a base structure designated as an entirety by numeral and constructed in the form shown from molded material such as fiberglass resin composition or the like. The base 10 has a bottom portion 10a, generally cylindrical sidewalls 10b and an upwardly flared inverted frustoconical section 100 surrounding the cylindrical sidewall portion and integrally formed therewith. The upper edge of the flared section 10c has in the form shown a slightly thickened supporting rim 10d.

A removable counter section 12 provides a cover for the base structure 10 and has an annular panel 120 with a downturned mounting flange 12b at the outer circumferential edge thereof. The flange 12b interfits with the rim 10d to positively position the counter section on the base 10. The annular panel 12a in this form of the invention (shown in FIGS. 3 & 4) provides the eating counter surface. A central opening designated by the numeral 13 is defined by a raised shield portion 120 which surrounds the inner circumferential edge of the annular counter panel 12a. A generally cylindrical skirt portion 12d extends downwardly from the upper end of the shield 12c and in the form shown the entire counter section 12 including the counter panel 12a, flange 12b, shield 12c, and inner skirt 12d are all integrally formed as by being molded in a single unit, as is the base structure 10.

An easily replaceable collection receptacle is mounted below the counter panel 12a and in the form shown constitutes a disposable bag 14 and the upper circumferential edge thereof is provided with suitable supporting means such as the supporting ring 15 mounted within the base in fixed relation thereto on a plurality of rod-like supports 16 which in the form shown are secured to the inside of the generally cylindrical sidewall portion 10b of the base structure 10.

After the customers finish eatingthey can merely throw their disposable plates, cups and eating utensils through the opening 13 and into the disposable bag 14. The inner surface of the cylindrical skirt portion 12d is smooth to facilitate easy cleaning as is, of course, the eating surface 12a and the upstanding shield portion 12c.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the counter section 12 including the counter'panel 12a, flange 12b, shield portion 12c, and inner skirt portion 12d forms the inner removable section. However, an outer counter section 20 is provided and has an upturned inner circumferential flange 20a and a downturned outer circumferential flange 20b with an annular smooth surfaced eating panel 20c extending between the flanges. A base structure 22 which is somewhat larger than the base structure 10 previously described, is provided and has a bottom 22a, an upstanding cylindrical portion 22b and an inverted frusto-conical section 22c which is flared outwardly at the top and interfits with the downturned flange 20b to positively position and support the counter section 20 which in turn supports the inner section 12 as illustrated. In the form shown, both the inner section 12 and the outer section 20 can be removed from the base 22 to facilitate changing of the garbage receiving receptacle such as the bag 23. The bag 23 is supported on a supporting ring 24 which in turn is mounted on supporting rods 25 which are attached to the inside of the cylindrical portion 22b of the base unit 22.

It will be seen that this invention provides relatively simple yet highly efficient eating counter with a selfcontained garbage receptacle hidden from view but conveniently located to insure its use by the self-service customers. In the modified portion of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central removable section 12 is supported on a somewhat larger outer counter section 20 which can also be easily removed if desired. The removable center section as well as the other sections are made from light-weight material such as molded fiberglass reinforced resin and can be quickly and easily removed for access to the garbage receptacle area thereunder.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of this invention which generally stated consists in the manner set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination eating counter and garbage receptacle for self-service restaurant operations comprising a hollow, upstanding, supporting base structure,

an eating counter assembly supported on said base structure, at least a portion of said eating counter assembly being removable from said base structure, said eating counter assembly including a large, generally horizontally disposed panel having a substantially flat outer edge portion at which customers can be accommodated and an upstanding inner edge portion elevated above the outer edge portion and defining an uncovered opening through which garbage can be disposed,

a removable garbage receptacle in said base portion below and in alignment with said opening, and means in said base structure to receive and hold said removable garbage receptacle,

said removable counter portion providing access to the garbage receiving receptacle to facilitate removal thereof from the base structure, and said upstanding, elevated inner edge portion shielding the garbage receptacle from the view of customers at the outer edge portion of said panel.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening is disposed in a central portion of the counter assembly and said counter panel surrounds said openmg.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein the counter assembly is generally annular in shape.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 and said entire eating panel being formed in a single removable unit to provide easy access to and removal of the garbage receiving receptacle, and cooperating interfitting means on said base structure and the removable counter panel to positively position said panel on said base.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said counter assembly includes an outer eating panel mounted on said base a separate an inner section defining the garbage disposal opening and supported by said outer panel, at least the inner section being removable to provide access to and removal of the garbage receptacle.

6. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said base structure is provided with a lower floor engaging portion and an upper, outwardly extending overhanging portion to facilitate accommodation of customers at the outer portion of said counter panel.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1 in which said receptacle-holding means constitutes a ring member underlying said removable panel portion.

8. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said upstanding inner edge portion is imperforate and surrounds the garbage receiving opening to prevent articles from inadvertently falling through said opening in addition to shielding the garbage receiving receptacle from view.

Claims

1. A combination eating counter and garbage receptacle for selfservice restaurant operations comprising a hollow, upstanding, supporting base structure, an eating counter assembly supported on said base structure, at least a portion of said eating counter assembly being removable from said base structure, said eating counter assembly including a large, generally horizontally disposed panel having a substantially flat outer edge portion at which customers can be accommodated and an upstanding inner edge portion elevated above the outer edge portion anD defining an uncovered opening through which garbage can be disposed, a removable garbage receptacle in said base portion below and in alignment with said opening, and means in said base structure to receive and hold said removable garbage receptacle, said removable counter portion providing access to the garbage receiving receptacle to facilitate removal thereof from the base structure, and said upstanding, elevated inner edge portion shielding the garbage receptacle from the view of customers at the outer edge portion of said panel.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening is disposed in a central portion of the counter assembly and said counter panel surrounds said opening.