PORTABLE POCKET ASHTRAY

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable, pocket ashtray comprising a fold-able, substantially non-flammable material. The pocket ashtray has an inner bottom and a continuous sidewall attached thereto. At least a portion of the continuous sidewall is folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom of the ashtray whereby the ashtray is formed more compact than its unfolded form so that the ashtray may be transported in a user’s pocket and then removed and unfolded for use thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ashtrays for cigars and cigarettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional ashtrays for cigars and cigarettes are large, heavy, and/or too thick to be easily transported in a user’s pocket. And, smaller versions typically do not have sidewalls high enough to effectively capture and hold ashes especially in an outdoor environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable, pocket ashtray is comprised of a fold-able, substantially non-flammable material. The pocket ashtray has an inner bottom and a continuous sidewall attached thereto. At least a portion of the continuous sidewall is folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom of the ashtray whereby the ashtray is formed more compact than its unfolded form so that the ashtray may be transported in a user’s pocket and then removed and unfolded for use thereof.

It is an objective of the present invention described herein that it be portable.

It is another objective of the present invention described herein that it be lightweight allowing it to be transported in a user’s pocket.

It is another objective of the present invention described herein that it be formed compact enough for it to be transported in a user’s pocket.

It is another objective of the present invention that it be commercially viable, simple in design, and cost-efficient to manufacture so it could be disposable after just one use thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a rectangular shaped example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray folded into its compact form for carrying by a user.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray shown in FIG. 1 fully unfolded for use thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a square shaped example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray folded into its compact form for carrying by a user.

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray shown in FIG. 3 fully unfolded for use thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various drawings provided herein are for the purpose of illustrating examples of the present invention and not for the purpose of limiting same. Therefore, the drawings herein represent only a few of the many possible examples, embodiments, variations and/or applications of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a rectangular shaped example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray folded into its compact form for carrying by a user; and, FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray shown in FIG. 1 fully unfolded for use thereof. Portable Pocket Ashtray 2 is comprised of a fold-able, substantially non-flammable material and has an inner bottom 4 and a continuous sidewall 6 attached thereto. Continuous sidewall 6 (best shown in FIG. 2) comprises four sides 8, 10, 12 and 14. In FIG. 1 each side 8, 10, 12 and 14 is folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom 4 of ashtray 2, whereby ashtray 2 is formed more compact than its unfolded form (shown in FIG. 3) so that ashtray 2 may be transported in a user’s pocket and then removed and unfolded for use thereof. Continuous sidewall 6 has an upper rim 9. Upper rim 9 can simply be the upper edge of continuous sidewall 6 or an enlarged edge thicker than a thickness of sidewall 6. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the continuous upper rim 9 has at least one cut-out formed to support an end of a cigar. Accordingly, side 12 of continuous upper rim 9 has a cut-out 16 to support an end of a cigar to prevent it from rolling around. And, side 14 of continuous upper rim 9 has a cut-out 18 to support an end of a cigarette to prevent it from rolling around. The present invention does not require any cut-outs, so a portable pocket ashtray with no cut-outs does not depart from the present invention. Nonetheless, preferred embodiments of the present invention would have at least one upper rim cut-out formed to support an end of a cigar to prevent the cigar from rolling along the rim of the ashtray.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are formed with predetermined dimensions so that when at least a portion of the continuous sidewall is folded inward and downward towards the ashtray’s inner bottom, the continuous sidewall does not overlap upon itself. For example, side 10 of continuous sidewall 6 of ashtray 2 has a predetermined width dimension 26 seen best in FIG. 1; and, side 14 of continuous sidewall 6 has a predetermined width dimension 28 seen best in FIG. 1; and, Ashtray 2 has a predetermined minimum width dimension 30 seen best in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the width dimension 26 and 28 of respective sides 10 and 14 of continuous sidewall 6 are each generally less than 50% of the minimum across-width dimension 30 of bottom 4 of the ashtray 2 to prevent overlap of the sides of the continuous sidewall.

The present invention could be formed in any shape that’s foldable into a compact form small enough to be carried in a user’s pocket. Applicant contemplates a portable pocket ashtray that is no larger than 5 inches wide by 8 inches long and ¼ inch thick when folded into its compact, carry form. Preferred embodiments would be more like 4 inches wide by 6 inches long and ¼ inch thick when folded into its compact, carry form. Accordingly, the present invention ashtray could be rectangular, square, round, oval, or any other shape that could be carried in a user’s pocket.

The present invention ashtray could be made of any foldable, substantially non-flammable material. “Foldable” shall be defined herein as being foldable by a user’s hands without the need for tools. “Substantially non-flammable” shall be defined herein as any material that will not melt or burn from the hot ashes of a burning cigar or cigarette. Applicant contemplates a foil type material.

A rim “cut-out” formed to support an end of a cigar or cigarette is simply an area of the rim that is relieved to support an end of a cigar or cigarette. Generally, a cigar cut-out would be larger than a cigarette cut-out.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 together, FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a square shaped example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray folded into its compact form for carrying by a user; and, FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the example embodiment of the present invention Portable Pocket Ashtray shown in FIG. 3 fully unfolded for use thereof. Portable Pocket Ashtray 32 is comprised of a fold-able, substantially non-flammable material and has an inner bottom 34 and a continuous sidewall 36 attached thereto. Continuous sidewall 36 (best shown in FIG. 4) comprises four sides 38, 40, 42 and 44. In FIG. 3 each side 38, 40, 42 and 44 is folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom 34 of ashtray 32, whereby ashtray 32 is formed more compact than its unfolded form (shown in FIG. 4) so that ashtray 2 may be transported in a user’s pocket and then removed and unfolded for use thereof. Continuous sidewall 36 has an upper rim 39. Upper rim 39 can simply be the upper edge of continuous sidewall 36 or an enlarged edge thicker than a thickness of sidewall 36. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the continuous upper rim 39 has at least one cut-out formed to support an end of a cigar. Accordingly, side 42 of continuous upper rim 39 has a cut-out 46 to support an end of a cigar to prevent it from rolling around. And, side 44 of continuous upper rim 39 has a cut-out 48 to support an end of a cigarette to prevent it from rolling around. The present invention does not require any cut-outs, so a portable pocket ashtray with no cut-outs does not depart from the present invention. Nonetheless, preferred embodiments of the present invention would have at least one upper rim cut-out formed to support an end of a cigar to prevent the cigar from rolling along the rim of the ashtray.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are formed with predetermined dimensions so that when at least a portion of the continuous sidewall is folded inward and downward towards the ashtray’s inner bottom, the continuous sidewall does not overlap upon itself. For example, ashtray 32 has a predetermined dimensions with a minimum width dimension 60. And, sidewalls 38, 40, 42 and 44 each have predetermined dimensions, whereby when sidewalls 40 and 44 are folded inward and downward towards ashtray bottom 34 as shown in FIG. 3 the sidewalls do not overlap. And, when sidewalls 38 and 42 are folded inward and downward towards ashtray bottom 34 as shown in FIG. 3, the sidewalls do not overlap.

The present invention could be formed in any shape that’s foldable into a compact form small enough to be carried in a user’s pocket. Applicant contemplates a portable pocket ashtray that is no larger than 5 inches wide by 8 inches long and ¼ inch thick when folded into its compact, carry form. Preferred embodiments would be more like 4 inches wide by 6 inches long and ¼ inch thick when folded into its compact, carry form. Accordingly, the present invention ashtray could be rectangular, square, round, oval, or any other shape that could be carried in a user’s pocket.

The present invention ashtray could be made of any foldable, substantially non-flammable material. “Foldable” shall be defined herein as being foldable by a user’s hands without the need for tools. “Substantially non-flammable” shall be defined herein as any material that will not melt or burn from the hot ashes of a burning cigar or cigarette. Applicant contemplates a foil type material.

A rim “cut-out” formed to support an end of a cigar or cigarette is simply an area of the rim that is relieved to support an end of a cigar or cigarette. Generally, a cigar cut-out would be larger than a cigarette cut-out.

Upon reading and understanding the specification of the present invention described above, modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the patent as claimed or the equivalence thereof.

Claims

1. A portable, pocket ashtray comprising a fold-able, substantially non-flammable material, said pocket ashtray having an inner bottom and a continuous sidewall attached thereto, said continuous sidewall having a continuous upper rim, at least a portion of said continuous sidewall being folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom of said ashtray whereby said ashtray is formed more compact than its unfolded form so that said ashtray may be transported in a user’s pocket and then removed and unfolded for use thereof.

2. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said continuous sidewall has four sides each being folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom of said ashtray.

3. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said ashtray is formed in one piece.

4. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said continuous upper rim has at least one cut-out formed to support an end of a cigar.

5. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said continuous upper rim has at least one cut-out formed to support an end of a cigarette.

6. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said ashtray is composed of a foil type material.

7. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said ashtray has a rectangular shape when viewed from a top view thereof.

8. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 1 wherein said ashtray has a square shape when viewed from a top view thereof.

9. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 2 wherein said ashtray is formed in one piece.

10. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 2 wherein said continuous upper rim has at least one cut-out formed to support an end of a cigar.

11. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 2 wherein said continuous upper rim has at least one cut-out formed to support an end of a cigarette.

12. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 2 wherein said ashtray is composed of a foil type material.

13. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 2 wherein said ashtray has a rectangular shape when viewed from a top view thereof.

14. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 2 wherein said ashtray has a square shape when viewed from a top view thereof.

15. A one piece, portable, pocket ashtray comprising a fold-able, substantially non-flammable material, said pocket ashtray having an inner bottom and a continuous sidewall attached thereto, said continuous sidewall having a continuous upper rim and four sides, and, said four sides each being folded inward and downward towards the inner bottom of said ashtray whereby said ashtray is formed more compact than its unfolded form so that said ashtray may be transported in a user’s pocket and then removed and unfolded for use thereof.

16. The portable pocket ashtray of claim 15 wherein said continuous upper rim has at least one cut-out formed therein to support an end of a cigar.

17. The portable pocket ashtray of claim 15 wherein said continuous upper rim has at least one cut-out formed therein to support an end of a cigarette.

18. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 15 wherein said ashtray is composed of a foil type material.

19. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 15 wherein said ashtray has a rectangular shape when viewed from a top view thereof.

20. The portable, pocket ashtray of claim 15 wherein the bottom of said ashtray has a predetermined minimum across-width dimension, the continuous sidewall has a predetermined width dimension, and, the predetermined width dimension of said sidewall is less that 50% of the predetermined minimum across-width dimension of the bottom of said ashtray.