Chewing gum disposal container and dispenser

Abstract

A chewing gum disposal system employable with a tabletop sweetener container conventionally employed to hold envelopes of sugar and sweeteners. A stack of wrappers or envelopes is dispensed from a housing having an interior cavity adapted to hold the stack. The housing is engageable to a sidewall of the existing sweetener container and has an aperture adapted to dispense the wrappers sequentially therethrough. The stack is insertable in the cavity by sliding it through an opening and the stack may also be formed as a cartridge using a cover thereby making the stack replaceable as a cartridge. Coupons may be engaged to dispense concurrently with each wrapper. The system may also be formed as an integral component to a sweetener container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed system and method relate generally to the sanitary disposal of chewing gum. More particularly, it relates to a disposal container adapted for retainment and disposal of exhausted chewing gum and a dispensing apparatus therefor. The disclosed device and method of dispensing is especially well adapted for employment in restaurants and public places which currently lack an easily deployed and employed system for patrons to dispose of chewing gum from their mouths. Still further, the device and method may be employed using coupons as inducements for use and enzymes for enhanced breakdown of the leftover gum material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chewing gum, in various forms, is enjoyed by users worldwide and has existed in one form or another for hundreds if not thousands of years. The evolution of modern chewing gum started in the mid-1800's when chicle, a naturally occurring latex-like material, was employed in gum as a substitute for prior-employed carriers for flavoring such a rubber. Gum flavored chicle and other latex has a generally smoother and softer texture, giving users a more enjoyable tactile feeling while chewing. Additionally, natural latex type materials hold flavorings much better than prior employed carriers for such flavorings. Modernly, most chewing gum manufacturers have changed their flavor carriers from chicle type materials to a synthetic gum base which modern chemistry has made available.

In the United States and most other countries, chewing gum has become extremely popular since it provides long-lasting flavor to the user and is inexpensive. There is no standard type of gum since it can be formed in many different shapes and sizes. Being a product that is chewed in the mouth for long periods, chewing gum is a combination of a water-insoluble gum base material impregnated with water-soluble flavorings and sweeteners. Thus, the base material does not dissolve in the user's mouth while the gum is chewed to release the flavoring.

Because the gum base does not dissolve, a dilemma is faced by the user as to how to dispose of chewed gum. This is especially true where the user enters a restaurant or movie theater or other venue offering food and drink. In order to eat and drink, the user must dispose of the undissolved gum base still occupying their mouth. This is an especially unsanitary problem since the human mouth is host to many thousands of different germ and bacteria types which take up residence in the gum base. Further, chewing gum adheres firmly to concrete, plastic, wood, table tops and table bottoms, theater and restaurant seat bottoms, and just about any other hard surfaces where a user might seek to deposit a chewed mass. As a result, deposit of the gum from the user's mouth allows germs and bacteria to hitchhike to the new surface on which the used gum is adhered or otherwise placed, making for a very unsanitary problem.

Aside from the unsanitary nature of used gum, there is a practical problem with subsequent removal of adhered wads. The adhesive ability of gum base, especially once dried, is legendary, and substantial effort is required to remove it. Considering that the adhesive effect of chewing gum can be so strong that it can remove food particles attached to the teeth or even remove a filling from a tooth, removal from a sidewalk, table bottom, or seat at a restaurant can be particularly vexing. It is not uncommon to see urban sidewalks and train platforms speckled with thousands of patches of dried, discarded gum. Further, the bottoms of seats in theaters and the bottom of restaurant tables can also become pockmarked with large quantities of gum wads. As a consequence, venues where gum collects in adhered positions and must be removed would be especially well served by the device and method in preventing customers' disposal of exhausted gum on tables, chairs and the like.

Finally, manufacturers of different brands of gum are constantly looking for new ways to advertise their products and to be seen as good corporate citizens protecting the sidewalks and public places from a buildup of unsanitary and unsightly gum material. By providing a means for sanitary disposal of the end product of their gum products, manufacturers of chewing gum can be seen as protecting the local environment from the results of their used products. Additionally coupons can be provided concurrently on the dispensing of the gum containers to enhance sales of subsequent products.

As such, there exists an unmet need for a used chewing gum disposal container and method for dispensing such a component. Such a container should be inexpensive since it is required in large quantities and should be easily employed by a gum chewer. Such a container should have a dispensing system that is easily employed in restaurants and other establishments which offer food and drink and therefor inherently require that gum chewers dispose of their mouth contents prior to eating or drinking. Still further, such a device should encourage use by the user who may still be tempted to use the bottom of a restaurant table as the ultimate depository for their mouth contents. Such a device and method should provide for easy deposit of the gum of a user therein and consequently encourage use.

It is an object of this invention to provide inexpensive and easily employed containers for chewing gum disposal of by users.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a method and device that is easily employed in restaurants, bars, theaters and the like with no major changes or purchases by owners of such establishments.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a method and apparatus which will encourage gum users to use it rather than the bottom of a table or chair through the inclusion of ease of use, sanitary disposal, and optionally a reward for use.

With respect to the above description and background, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components and/or steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The various apparatus and methods of deployment and use of the invention herein described and disclosed are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and jargonistic terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based for receiving and disposing of chewing gum, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other devices, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the objects and claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology, insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the device disclosed herein are directed at an improved method and apparatus for disposal of unsanitary and unsightly wads of used chewing gum. The system is especially well adapted for installation in restaurants and bars, without any major structural changes to the tables or requirements for major purchases of new components and equipment. Therefore it can be easily and inexpensively implemented by restaurant and bar owners without great expense for dispensing components. Further, the device and method herein, does not occupy an inordinate amount of space on an already crowded table top and in one embodiment encourages patron use by dispensing coupons with the gum container wrappers which the user may employ for subsequent purchases. Since gum removal and sanitation of tables and chairs is both time consuming and a major expense for eateries and the like, easy deployment and encouraging inducements for use by patrons are an especially attractive aspect of the device and method which also increases its utility to users.

The device and method herein may be employed using one or a combination of extra components depending on the venue in which it will be used. In eateries and bars where sanitation and labor removal of unsightly gum wads is especially expensive to the owner, inexpensive implementation and components which encourage patron use are especially desirable. However, in other venues where unsanitary disposal of gum may not be such an extensive and costly problem, the simpler mode of the invention might be preferential.

In a particularly preferred mode of the device, it is provided in combination with a conventional table top sugar package container. A primary reason for this combination is provided by research which shows that many restaurant patrons will take sugar or sugar substitute packages and needlessly empty them to thereafter employ the container as a used gum wrapper. This is a particularly expensive problem for restaurant owners since these small packaged sweeteners cost money, especially the artificial sweeteners. To have clients throwing away the contents to employ the sweetener wrapper as a gum disposal envelope increases operating costs by a significant factor, especially in the case of a large chain restaurant or an establishment such as a coffee house which does not serve more expensive food items.

By providing a sugar and sweetener package table housing, having a separate side or bottom compartment adapted to house cartridges of stacked gum disposal wrappers in either planar or envelope form, the device places the wrappers directly in the path of patrons reaching for the sweetener envelope to use for their gum. Instead, on a sidewall or other surface of the table top container, a gum disposal wrapper will extend, which once pulled, will pull the distal end of the next wrapper in the wrapper package, to project from the device. Patrons will thus stop the costly and wasteful use of sweetener packages when presented with the gum wrappers. In the case of a plain or planar wrapper the user would cover the gum for disposal. When employing a wrapper in the form of an envelope, the user would open the cover and drop their gum through the mouth of the envelope into the interior.

The device and method employing this combination gum wrapper container is preferred especially where a cavity is formed which is adapted in dimension to hold sweetener envelopes upright. On one of the sidewalls forming the sweetener envelope cavity is located a wrapper dispensing cavity. The wrapper cavity is sized to house a pre-formed stack or package of gum wrappers and to allow a slide-in insertion of the package for easy deployment and replacement. A slot extends vertically or horizontally, depending on the placement of the wrapper cavity on the sidewall, to an edge of an open end of the wrapper cavity. This slot allows for easy insertion of a stacked wrapper package of planar or envelope wrappers, with the first wrapper extending from the surface of the package and through the slot. Consequently, easy initial filling and refilling of the wrapper cavity is provided. Because gravity will tend to hold the wrapper package into a cavity filled from the top, the mode depicted in the figures herein is particularly preferred for ease of use.

In a second preferred mode of the device, the cavity housing the gum wrappers in a stacked configuration is situated inside the cavity formed for the sweetener envelopes. Access to the wrapper cavity is provided through the top edge of the sweetener cavity, and an elongated aperture in a sidewall forming the sweetener cavity provides access to the wrappers which will consecutively extend from the aperture as the wrappers are pulled from the package by users.

A third preferred mode of the device employs a wrapper package cavity housed inside the sweetener cavity and top side access. However, a slot extends to the top edge defining the open side of the sweetener cavity to allow an easy slide-in loading of the replacement packages of sequentially dispensed wrappers.

If patron inducement for use is a concern, another preferred mode of the device and method herein would provide coupons which would concurrently dispense with the individual wrappers. This would be done by providing a frangible portion on each wrapper that would have a coupon, or, more preferably, a planar coupon mated to a sidewall of each planar individual wrapper or to the cover portion of each envelope style wrapper, such that when the wrapper is pulled from the package, the coupon separates and the user has both components loose without having to tear a perforated portion of the wrapper, which considering the thinness of the material might be a challenge. In the envelope form of the wrapper, the coupon may be placed into the interior cavity thereby encouraging opening of the envelope for use by hiding a surprise inside. The coupon could be for the establishment the device occupies or for other types of establishments.

In a retrofit embodiment of the device which would enable restaurant owners to keep their current sweetener package containers, an engageable component forming the cavity adapted to hold and dispense the gum wrappers is provided. This mode of the device functions the same as the first noted mode in that a top loading cavity for the gum wrappers is formed along a sidewall of the sweetener cavity. This attachable wrapper cavity would have an adhesive strip or other means for easy but permanent attachment provided and would be employed as a low-cost retrofit to existing sweetener containers. This mode may also be especially well received if the restaurant has expensive or custom sweetener holders they wish to keep.

Finally, in a more Spartan mode of the device, which is adaptable to engagement to many different surfaces, the wrapper packets would be provided with a covering providing the housing for the internally stacked wrappers. The covering would be plastic or paper and will have means to adhere the covering and wrappers to the side of the sweetener containers. This too would be an easy retrofit but may be prone to theft since the covering must be removed to replace the supply and patrons may avail themselves of the packages. However, this mode of the device could be employed on a plurality of different surfaces such as a car dashboard, a tabletop, or other such surfaces.

The foregoing summary and following detailed description are considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents which may be resorted to are considered to be fall within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the first mode of the device showing a wrapper cavity formed upon a sidewall of a sweetener package container.

FIG. 2 depicts a mode of the device herein having a wrapper cavity formed inside the sweetener package holding cavity providing wrapper dispensing through a sidewall and access through the top opening to the cavity.

FIG. 3 depicts a mode of the device adapted for adhesive engagement to a sidewall of an existing sweetener package tabletop container used in modern restaurants.

FIG. 4 depicts a mode of the device wherein a wrapper cavity is formed into the bottom wall of the tabletop container.

FIG. 5 depicts a mode of the device wherein a wrapper cavity is formed into the sidewall of the tabletop container.

FIG. 6 shows a mode of the device wherein a cover is employed to hold a stack of dispensable gum wrappers and means for attachment is employed to engage the cover to a tabletop container.

FIG. 7 depicts a mode of the device wherein a coupon is dispensed concurrently with the dispensing of a used gum wrapper.

FIG. 8 shows a mode of the device having a frangible portion which could act as a coupon that is removable from the wrapper portion when dispensed.

FIG. 9 depicts a particularly preferred mode of the device featuring a tabletop container for sweeteners and salt and pepper.

FIG. 10 shows a mode of the device employable as a salt and pepper shaker holder or with small packets of salt and pepper in the salt shaker cavity 30 and the pepper shaker cavity 32.

FIG. 11 depicts the stacked engagement of planar wrappers for sequential disbursement.

FIG. 12 depicts the stacked engagement of envelopes for sequential disbursement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1-12, some preferred embodiments of the present invention in current preferred modes are shown and described. The device 10 features a plurality of individual wrappers 12 in the form of either planar wrappers 12 or envelopes 12a. The wrappers 12 and 12a are stacked in an engaged relationship at an engagement point 11 wherein one or a combination of adhesive, folding of adjoining wrappers 12 or 12a to each other, or other means of removable engagement is employed, to pull a trailing wrapper with the leading wrapper and thereby to leave a wrapper 12 or 12a projecting from a wrapper housing 14 or a cover forming the housing and/or through and appropriate aperture 24 in the sidewall 22 of a sweetener container 16.

When the device 10 is employed in a mode in combination with a sweetener container 16 commonly employed in places such as restaurants and coffee houses to hold packages of sweetener and sugar on tabletops, it may be deployed in a number of modes. As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9, a preferred mode of the device herein is to employ the sweetener container 16 itself in combination with or as a part of the dispensing component for the wrappers 12 and 12a. This would be done by providing a retrofit component to form a housing for the wrappers.

The wrapper housing 14 provides a covering for the internally housed wrappers 12 and 12a if they are not in a cover 15 in a cartridge style. The housing 14 may be provided by sectioning the sweetener container wherein the covering 15 may not be required. The covering 15 if employed does make loading wrappers easier as a slide in cartridge and would be paper or a strong polymer adapted to hold the wrappers 12 and 12a and allow easy dispensing therethrough. The wrapper housing 14 as noted can be employed in combination with a sweetener container 16 adapted to engage it, or as shown in FIGS. 6-8 the housing 14 may be one of the main components of a dispensing system for the wrappers 12 and 12a.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this preferred mode of the device 10 a wrapper cavity 18 is formed upon an exterior of a sidewall 22 of the sweetener container 16 in between a wall 25. The wrapper cavity 18 in this mode of the device 10 provides for an easy drop-in engagement of the wrapper housing 14 containing the wrappers 12 and 12a from the top of the sweetener container 16. A section or wall 25 provides the separation between the sweetener container 16 portion and the wrapper cavity. To retrofit older containers 16 the wall 25 can be distributed with the wrappers 12 and 12a and the wrappers disbursed through the top by employing an aperture in the cover 15. An aperture 24 through the sidewall 22 extending to the top edge of the sweetener container is especially preferred since allows for the easy placement and replacement of the wrappers 12 and 12a.

In FIG. 2 there is shown another preferred mode of the device 10 where the wrapper cavity 18 is also formed inside and adjacent to the sweetener cavity 20. In all modes of the device 10, the wrappers 12 and 12a are either stacked as in FIGS. 11 and 12, to dispense sequentially or enclosed in the cover 15 and stacked to dispense sequentially therefrom. In this stacked mode, the trailing edge of a dispensed wrapper 12 and 12a pulls the leading edge of the trailing wrapper 12 and 12a to project one end for gripping. As shown in FIG. 2 after insertion of a stack of wrappers 12 or 12a, the leading edge of the wrapper 12 will extend through a sidewall 22 using a horizontal aperture 24 instead of a vertically disposed aperture 24 extending vertically to the top edge. This mode would discourage theft of the entire supply of wrappers 12 or 12a since it cannot as easily slide out as that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a mode of the device 10 wherein a wrapper housing 14 is provided which is adapted to engage the sidewall 22 of the sweetener container 16 and form a wrapper cavity 18 extending from the sidewall 22 once engaged. Means for engagement of the wrapper housing 14 to the sweetener container 16 can be adhesive, glue, or other means to hold the wrapper housing 14 to a sidewall 22 of a sweetener container 16 such as an adhesive pad 13 shown in FIG. 6. The aperture 24 can be either horizontal or vertical as shown in the other drawings. This mode of the device 10 is especially preferred in that it easily adapts existing sweetener containers 16 to the new configuration having a wrapper cavity 18 and thereby allows restaurants and other users to keep their installed base of sweetener containers 16. Once the wrapper housing 14 is affixed, the wrappers 12 or 12a can be stocked into the wrapper cavity 18 for use. As noted, any of the wrappers 12 or 12a noted herein can be employed with this mode of the device or any other mode of the device herein described.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a mode of the device 10 wherein a wrapper cavity 18 is formed into the bottom wall 23 of the tabletop sweetener container 16. This can be done at manufacture or by engagement of a cavity housing 19 adapted to engage the bottom of the sweetener container 16. In this mode, the aperture 24 to dispense the wrappers 12 would be side-positioned such that wrappers 12 or 12a may be pulled from the wrapper cavity 18. This mode is adapted for an easy insertion of a cover 15 with stacked wrappers 12 or 12a inside or with wrappers 12 or 12a and the mated coupons 26 inside the cover 15.

As noted, in FIG. 5 a mode of the device 10 is shown wherein a wrapper cavity 18 is formed into a hollow sidewall 22 of the tabletop type sweetener container 16. This mode is best formed during manufacture. Any of the disclosed wrappers 12 or 12a and/or wrapper housings 14 containing dispensable wrappers 12 or 12a may be used with this mode of the device 10. Of course insertable containers having a cover 15 would provide the easiest loading as with that of FIGS. 1-5 and in the case of the device 10 having coupons 26 mated to the wrappers 12 or 12a, the container having a cover 15 provides for easy change out of the wrappers 12 and the coupons 26 once a promotion ends.

Depicted in FIG. 6 there is a mode of the device 10 wherein the cover 15 is employed as the wrapper housing to hold a stack of dispensable wrappers in a cartridge that is easily inserted into a wrapper cavity 18. With the addition of a means for adhesion such as the peel and stick adhesive pad 13, this mode of the device will enable the cover 15 to operate as the wrapper housing and is easily adapted for engagement to a surface of the tabletop type sweetener container 16 or other condiment container. It could also be sold for attachment to a car dashboard or refrigerator or other surface in other venues. The cover would best be of a polymer or coated paper or foil because such materials provide means to maintain the wrappers 12 inside dry yet to also allow for dispensing the wrappers 14 singularly but sequentially. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in all modes of the device 10 the wrappers 12 are stacked and have means for removable engagement at an engagement point 11 at the trailing ends of dispensed wrappers 12. This means for removable engagement provides that the leading edge of the next wrapper 12 or 12a to a position where it can be pulled by the fingers of a user.

In a particularly preferred mode of the device 10 which may be employed with all of the embodiments herein, the planar wrappers 12 of FIG. 11 may be coated on one side surface with a fluid proofing 17 layer or coating to protect the wrapper 12 from liquid in the gum such as unsanitary saliva, from oozing through the wrapper 12 from the gum deposited inside. The envelope type wrappers 12a can be coated inside the envelope or on the outside surface. A polymer or vegetable coated paper would work well for the fluid proofing 17 layer. Optionally, and also preferred, an inside surface coating 11 of the wrappers 12 or 12a which engages and holds the disposed gum, shown in FIG. 8, may have an enzyme or chemical imparted thereon, such as Papain or saliva related enzymes, as a means to dissolve gum base left over from chewing. Any gum deposited into such a wrapper 12 or 12a will thus have a dilution or decomposition speed which is enhanced by the surface coating. Further, it would be especially preferable if a scent is released from the wrappers 12 or 12a during initial use to encourage that use. In this mode, the wrappers 12 or 12a can be scented with fragrances.

FIG. 7 depicts a mode of the device wherein a coupon 26 is dispensed concurrently with the dispensing of a planar style gum wrapper 12. The coupon can also be dispensed with the envelope style wrappers 12a in a similar fashion. This coupon 26 can be from the gum manufacturer to encourage use of the wrappers 12 or 12a or from local merchants or even the restaurant itself. This coupon 26 would act as a means for inducement of use of the wrappers 12 and also a means to generate revenue and pay for the wrappers 12 so they might be distributed for free. Also shown is an adhesive means such as a peel and stick adhesive pad 13 which would hold the wrapper housing 14 to the intended surface for dispensing of the used-gum wrappers 12 or 12a. The adhesive means would allow the device 10 with a cover 15 housing the wrappers 12 or 12a, to be engaged to any surface or act as a means to retain the device 10 inside a cavity 18 to help prevent theft.

FIG. 8 shows a mode of the device having a frangible portion 28 which could act as a coupon 26 that is removable from the wrapper 12 portion when dispensed. This mode of the device 10 would eliminate the need for two items to be dispensed in the form of the coupon 26 and wrapper 12 and instead dispense both sequentially as a unitary but separable structure. When employed with the envelope style wrappers 12a, the coupon 26 would best be frangibly, adhesively, or otherwise removably engaged to the cover 27 portion, or be placed inside the internal cavity of the envelope style wrapper 12a. If placed inside it will encourage use since the user will need to open the cover 27 and look inside to see the coupon 26.

FIG. 9 depicts a mode of the device 10 which is particularly useful for containment of sweeteners and for the salt and pepper shaker condiments used on restaurant tables. This mode of the device 10 features in a single unit, a salt shaker cavity 30 and pepper shaker cavity 32 and a sweetener cavity 20. The wrapper cavity 18 is engaged to a sidewall 22 and has an aperture 24 adapted to a slide-in engagement of a stack of wrappers 12 or preferably a stack of wrappers 12 or 12a inside cover 15.

FIG. 10 shows a mode of the device 10 which would be employed as a salt and pepper shaker holder or could be employed with small packets of salt and paper in the salt shaker cavity 30 and the pepper shaker cavity 32.

The device and method for providing gum disposal wrappers in a dispensing component combined with sugar package containers, shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, disclosed steps in a process, arrangements of elements of particular construction, and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and different steps and process procedures and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed for providing the apparatus and any method herein withing the spirit of this invention.

As such, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instance some features of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a tabletop sweetener container employed in restaurants having a sidewall extending from a bottom wall to form a cavity for holding envelopes of sugar or artificial sweetener, a chewing gum disposal wrapper dispensing apparatus for employment in combination with said sweetener container comprising:

a plurality of interleaved wrappers in a stack, each said wrappers having a leading edge and a trailing edge;

means for removable engagement of said trailing edge of each said wrapper in said stack to a said leading edge of an adjacent subsequently placed said wrapper in said stack;

a housing, said housing having an interior cavity sized to accommodate said stack of wrappers;

an aperture communicating through said housing with said interior cavity, said aperture providing means to place a said leading edge of a first of said wrappers in said stack to a projecting position extending from said aperture; and

means for engagement of said housing to said sidewall of said sweetener container, whereby said housing and said stack of wrappers are engageable to a said sweetener container and said wrappers are sequentially dispensable from said stack through said aperture.

2. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said housing having an opening in said side edge communicating with both said interior cavity and said aperture;

said opening providing means to slide said stack of wrappers into said interior cavity with a said leading edge of a first of said wrappers positioned to project from said stack and concurrently slide into said aperture as said stack is slid into said interior cavity through said opening.

3. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said housing comprising a cover surrounding said stack of wrappers.

4. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for engagement of said housing to said sidewall of said sweetener container is adhesive.

5. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for engagement of said housing to said sidewall of said sweetener container is adhesive.

6. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for engagement of said housing to said sidewall of said sweetener container is adhesive.

7. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

each said wrapper in said stack mated to a separable coupon concurrently dispensed with said respective wrapper whereby each said wrapper pulled from said stack is accompanied by a said coupon providing means to reward use of said wrapper and encourage use thereof.

8. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:

each said wrapper in said stack mated to a separable coupon concurrently dispensed with said respective wrapper whereby each said wrapper pulled from said stack is accompanied by a said coupon providing means to reward use of said wrapper and encourage use thereof.

9. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising:

each said wrapper in said stack mated to a separable coupon concurrently dispensed with said respective wrapper whereby each said wrapper pulled from said stack is accompanied by a said coupon providing means to reward use of said wrapper and encourage use thereof.

10. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said wrappers being envelopes having a cover portion at said leading edge.

11. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said wrappers being envelopes having a cover portion at said leading edge.

12. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising:

said wrappers being envelopes having a cover portion at said leading edge; and

said coupon removably engaged to said cover portion.

13. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising:

said wrappers being envelopes having a cover portion at said leading edge; and

said coupon removably engaged to said cover portion.

14. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising:

said wrappers being envelopes having a cover portion at said leading edge; and

said coupon positioned inside said envelope in an internal cavity accessed by rotating said cover portion, said coupon thereby providing means to induce use of said envelope by encouraging an opening of said envelope to retrieve said coupon.

15. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said wrappers having a surface coating of an enzyme or solvent adapted to break down chewing gum.

16. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said wrappers having a surface coating of an enzyme or solvent adapted to break down chewing gum.

17. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 14, additionally comprising:

said internal cavity having a surface coating of an enzyme or solvent adapted to break down chewing gum.

18. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said housing having a substantially “U” shaped housing sidewall and a bottom wall;

said sidewall of said tabletop sweetener container providing a second sidewall of said housing opposite said housing sidewall when said housing is engaged to said sweetener container; and

said opening formed opposite said bottom wall between said housing sidewall and said second sidewall.

19. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising:

said housing having a substantially “U” shaped housing sidewall and a bottom wall;

said sidewall of said tabletop sweetener container providing a second sidewall of said housing opposite said housing sidewall when said housing is engaged to said sweetener container; and

said opening formed opposite said bottom wall between said housing sidewall and said second sidewall.

20. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said stack of wrappers having a cover surrounding said stack of wrappers forming a cartridge;

a cover aperture communicating through said cover; and

said cover aperture positioned to align with said opening in said side edge as said cartridge slides into said interior cavity.

21. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising:

said stack of wrappers having a cover surrounding said stack of wrappers forming a cartridge;

a cover aperture communicating through said cover; and

said cover aperture positioned to align with said opening in said side edge as said cartridge slides into said interior cavity.

22. The wrapper dispensing apparatus of claim 18, additionally comprising:

said stack of wrappers having a cover surrounding said stack of wrappers forming a cartridge;

a cover aperture communicating through said cover; and

said cover aperture positioned to align with said opening in said side edge as said cartridge slides into said interior cavity

23. A method for altering a tabletop sweetener container having a sidewall extending from a bottom wall to form a cavity for holding envelopes of sugar or artificial sweetener by attaching a chewing gum disposal wrapper dispensing apparatus for employment in combination with said sweetener container comprising the steps of:

attaching a housing having a substantially “U” shaped housing sidewall and a bottom wall and having an aperture communicating through said housing sidewall to said sweetener container sidewall to thereby form an interior cavity between said housing sidewall and said sweetener sidewall which is accessible by an opening opposite said bottom wall;

placing a plurality of interleaved wrappers each said wrappers having a leading edge and each said wrapper having a trailing edge removably engaged to a said leading edge of a subsequent said wrapper in said plurality, into said interior cavity through said opening; and

placing a leading edge of a first of said plurality of interleaved wrappers through said aperture.

24. A tabletop sweetener container comprising:

a sidewall extending substantially perpendicular from a bottom wall;

a cavity defined by the area between said sidewall and bottom wall;

an edge of said sidewall opposite said bottom wall defining an opening communicating with said cavity;

a housing engaged with said sidewall, said housing having an interior cavity;

a plurality of interleaved wrappers in a stack, each said wrappers having a leading edge and a trailing edge;

means for removable engagement of said trailing edge of each said wrapper in said stack to a said leading edge of an adjacent subsequently placed said wrapper in said stack; and

an aperture communicating through said housing with said interior cavity, said aperture providing means to place a said leading edge of a first of said wrappers in said stack to a projecting position extending from said aperture whereby said wrappers are sequentially dispensable from said stack through said aperture.