The Fin (Cigarette Filter Bin) by Kurawku

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

I won't belittle anyone by referring to what is an expensive and insanely hard to stop drug addiction by referring to it as "a bad habit" (I was a smoker for over 10 years) BUT, what is a bad habit for many is throwing used cigarette filters on the ground when they're done.
When a bin is available, I like to believe the majority of smokers do not just throw their butts away but as smoking has become more and more confined to designated areas, people smoking on the go often resort to that easy habit of just tossing the butt. I did it myself and didn't even think of it as littering until later on in life. However here we are on the raggedy edge of "What more can we do to protect our planet and our environment?" and this is my contribution.
What is the Fin?
A cigarette filter bin with two options. The first clips securely onto your cigarette packet, while not interfering with the easy opening of the packet, and the second is a free-standing version that you can attach to anything with a string. It gives smokers a place to put their thoroughly extinguished* cigarette filters when they're done until they find a suitable bin.
It is designed to be the same height and width as a standard king size cigarette packet here in the EU, allowing it to easily fit alongside your cigarette packet in your pocket or bag taking up no more space than a couple of lighters.
How many filters will fit in it?
I have it on good authority from my mother-in-law that 5 or more used filters is possible depending on how hard you shake them up. You may want the non-clip on version if you need more space for weekend camping trips or manage to smoke more than that between the times you see a bin or ashtray.
Will it put a dent in the pollution damage by multinational conglomerates?
No, but it's a small thing that anyone with a nicotine addiction can do as part of their day to help the planet.
Why use this? Why not just put the used filters back in the packet until you find a regular bin?
As a former smoker I can only say that every time I put even half a cigarette back in the packet it seemed to affect the flavour or worse you use a can and then forget which can is your ashtray can and take a sip. If you are doing something and the side effects don't bother you then absolutely continue doing so and well done for proving that just because you have a nasty addiction doesn't mean you don't care about the planet. The Fin is just an alternative.
If you're a smoker and you think this is a good idea I hope you make them for you and your smoker friends. If you've got a neighbour who drops butts outside your building's front door whose indifference to her neighbours inspired you to make a 3D-printable filter bin, I hope you make one for her.
The lid's filter hole is designed to allow an unused cigarette filter to fit and will friction lock it in place until the next filter pushes it into the bin. This will hopefully reduce any smell from the bin.
Even if you don't smoke you could just use it to collect the cigarette ends you see and make that little difference for your community.
Why is it called the Fin?
It all started back when I moved to Sweden and had to learn the stupid language with its extra stupid vowels. Fin (pronounced Fee-n) here means 'nice', 'fine', 'handsome', 'beautiful'. Cigarette filters are called fimp. It isn't a sexy word so I abandoned Swedish entirely.
Using my brilliant powers of thinkingness I combined the word for filter with bin...and created Fin. I later discovered scientists using my word to describe something that sea creatures use to move in water so it's already catching on and I can see why. The version that clips onto packets does resemble a fin. Now that's FINking outside of the cigarette box! and now all smokers can keep the world just a little bit more Fin with a Fin**.
Why did you make it in Sketchup you noob?
It's simple and easy...like me!
Can it be used for other things?
My cats like batting it around on the floor...what things did you have in mind? I'd say as long as it isn't on fire and can pass through a hole small enough for a cigarette filter, this is the device for you!
How to Print
Internally and visually it works best without supports but if you are concerned or have any printing issues do use them but this may make a bit of work for your Dremel later. The lid has a pretty specific click into place system that works by inserting the crescent part first and then pushing and clicking down the lid. It can be a little tight to begin with when trying to release by pushing it back out but this will ease off or can be lightly sanded into shape.
Infill of at least 30% works fine for strength.
A brim or glue is useful for preventing the lid from warping, especially if you do not use an enclosure.
*Can't stress this enough. If printed in plastic, it can melt. No lit cigarettes!
**Please! no one attack sea creatures for their Fins, they are not the same product at all and work terribly as filter bins. Putting filters in blow holes may also land you a large fine, a ban from Sea World and a lot of online hate from Greenpeace.
Note:
This is currently still a work in progress and pictures used are from previous prototypes that used a different lid locking system and embossing. The packet was also borrowed from a SuperKing smoker so the scale doesn't appear accurate for King Size. The current lid is functional based on testing but printing out final prototypes is low on my printer's priority queue right now. Updates will be posted as soon as possible.