Patent Application
20240277043
This invention relates generally to the field of accessories for use in smoking, and more particularly to the field of combination portable ash trays and storage devices.
It is estimated that between 30 and 40 million people in the United States enjoy using smokable substances, such as cigarettes, cigars, herbals and even smokable teas. Despite the widespread use of smokable products in the United States and around the world, ashtrays have been almost completely phased out of automobiles. While smoking in cars with passengers can be socially, and in some cases legally, unacceptable, many smokers own and operate their vehicles without passengers. These smokers from time to time may wish to enjoy a smoke in their car while on a break from driving.
Likewise, due to the widespread adoption of regulations prohibiting smoking in-doors, smokers more and more enjoy their products outside. Unfortunately, in many locations designated smoking areas are no longer provided. Therefore, smokers often find it difficult to locate an appropriate waste receptacle when smoking. Predictably, this leads to indiscriminate users discarding ashes and smoke waste products on the ground.
Even when vehicle ashtrays were standard equipment on motor vehicles, they were poorly designed and inadequate. Vehicle ashtrays were difficult to remove for cleaning. They were often too small to hold unsmoked waste product along with the spent ashes. They were not odor proof, even when closed. Automobiles did not provide adequate storage for accessories near ashtrays. As a result, drivers often left vehicle ashtrays open, exposing the unpleasant smell and waste to the passengers.
There is a need, therefore, for an ash receptacle that meets the needs of the modern smoker.
An ashtray according to the principles of the invention comprises a generally cylindrical shape defining an interior volume open on one end. The open end is sized to removably receive a first lid configured topologically with forms for utility in smoking, such as a pyramid debowler and indentations for resting smoking devices, in a bowl or indentation. A second, odor resistant, lid is configured to cover the ashtray lid to make the ashtray odorless when desired, and also to cover the ash waste.
The ashtray container and ashtray lid are preferably made from heat and impact resistant material, such as silicone. The second, covering, lid can be made from any material capable of trapping odors and, preferably, resistant to absorbing odors, such as silicone or plastic. The cylindrical volume can be sectioned so that one or more specified sections can act as a storage container, such as for rolled goods, lighters, tools and other accessories that will be apparent to the skilled artisan after reading this disclosure.
In an illustrative embodiment according to the principles of the invention, the ashtray lids and storage container are shaped to appear like a typical coffee cup. The volume is sized to fit within a typical coffee cup holder as generally provided in consumer automobiles. As shown in related pending patent application Ser. No. 29/885,121, entitled “Ornamental Design for a Cache Cup Ashtray,” which is incorporated herein by reference, the ashtray according to the invention can be ornamented to appear as a travel coffee cup with lid. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand after reading this disclosure that other shapes can be used without departing from the principles of the invention. The container portion can also be made of heat resistant silicone, which is non-stick and does not burn or warp in typical usage.
In one aspect of the invention, the ash tray lid is configured with a poker or debowler, illustratively pyramid shaped. This poker has utility in removing ash from smoking devices having bowls, such as pipes, glass bowls or the like without having to bang or shake the smoking device. In another aspect, a resting area for rolled smokable, like cones or cigarettes, is provided. Such features are referred to as ash working features.
In another aspect of the invention, the container portion of the ashtray is divided, at least into two sections. One section is illustratively used to collect ash and waste while the other section holds accessories.
In another aspect, the ashtray lid is also sectioned such that the section formed with smoking attributes can be positioned over the container section for collecting ash. A hinged section with pull tab can be opened to reveal and access the storage section of the container.
In another aspect of the invention, the ashtray lid is provided separately and equipped with a resilient indentation around the underside circumference so that it can be affixed to an appropriately sized cup.
In another aspect of the invention, the container and lid are various shapes and not necessarily round.
In the drawings:
In an embodiment of the invention, the cup 102 is made of heat resistant silicone. Silicone resists burning, warping, melting or other heat damage. Silicone can also accept labeling or printing by methods that would be known to the skilled artisan. Silicone can be configured in the illustrated or similar shapes by known manufacturing process. The lid 104 is made from odor resistant material, such as plastic. The lid 104 can also be made of silicone.
The ashtray and cache 100 may be sized to fit an ordinary cup holder, such as are typically used in passenger vehicles. The illustrated embodiment 100 comprises a cup 102 having a substantially flat bottom end with a diameter less than the opening diameter defined at the open end of the container, which results in a generally tapered shape. A person of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure will understand that other shapes can be used without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, the ashtray can be substantially cylindrical, or may have a wider diameter at the bottom end than the lid end. Likewise, the skilled artisan after reading this disclosure will understand that materials other than silicone can be used.
In
Lower lid 108 also features a hinged cover 112, which, in this view, closes an aperture to the storage section of container 102. An optional pull tab 114 opposite the hinge 118 provides for easy opening of the cover 112. When in the closed position, as shown in
Lower lid 108 is held in position to the cup 102 with an interference fit 124 or press fit. Upper or covering lid 104 fits to the lower lid 108 with a mechanical interfit 126. To use the ashtray, the user removes upper lid 104 to access either the bowl workspace 116 or the cache cover 112. Lifting the cache cover permits access to whatever is stored in the cache volume 132. As will be appreciated, the entire assembly comes easily apart for cleaning. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other mechanical fits can be provided for removably affixing the upper lid to the lower lid and the lower lid to the container.
In the exemplary embodiment, the components are made from heat resistant silicone using known manufacturing methods. In addition to its heat resistant properties, silicone is shatterproof, easy to clean and provides a pleasing texture. A person of ordinary skill in the art having read this disclosure will understand how to make and use an ashtray according to the principles of the invention with silicone or similar materials.
An exemplary cup can have the following approximate dimensions for the described features.
The skilled artisan will understand that the dimensions are merely illustrative and that other dimensions can be implemented without departing from the principles of the invention. Such dimensional alterations are considered within the scope of the invention.
Likewise, the skilled artisan having read this disclosure will understand that the principles of the invention can be practiced using different shapes for the container and lids, different dimensions for the container and lids, and implementing more or less inner volume sections than shown here. A skilled artisan will understand from reading this disclosure that individual features and be included or excluded while practicing the invention. The skilled artisan after reading this disclosure will understand that different mechanical fits can be used between the covers and the container. The skilled artisan will understand that the debowler can be varied in size and shape and that other physical features for enhancing the ashtray function, such as ridges and textures, can be included. The sizes, shapes and number of apertures can be varied.
All the novel and useful features and combinations of features are enabled by this disclosure are understood to be within the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/885,121, entitled “Ornamental Design for a Cache Cup Ashtray,” filed on Feb. 21, 2023, which is also incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29885121 | Feb 2023 | US |
| Child | 18115050 | US |
