Patent Application
20160081389
The present invention relates to an ashtray, and more in particularly to an ashtray having a slidably removable cover configured to maintain rubbish contained within the confines of the ashtray body at least for protection against gusting wind and hiding unsightly rubbish therein.
Ashtrays are commonly placed table tops and are primarily used at homes, eating establishments, and smoke shops. It has become customary over the years to smoke outdoors, which prevents environmental factors that affect current ashtrays. Wind, and in particular swirling and/or gusting wind, commonly blow away the rubbish contained therein.
In some cases, table top ashtrays are created having exaggerated sidewalls. However, the exaggerated sidewalls are still susceptible to wind swirl and are therefore highly inefficient.
In other cases, ashtrays are provided having a cover that sits on top of the ashtray and only protects against the removal of rubbish when the ashtray is in non-use and does not protect against swirling wind.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,030 fails to provide a structure that would prevent swirling wind from removing the rubbish from the tray portion. Furthermore, that invention fails to protect against inadvertent fires that occur when a flammable object is placed on top of the ashtray.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved ashtray having improved protection against wind, as well as improved protection against fires.
The present invention advantageously provides an ashtray assembly that provides a cigarette and cigar receptacle and ash tray which is easily emptied of rubbish accumulated therein, yet provides windproof qualities to prevent the rubbish from exiting the ashtray due to wind and hides unsightly rubbish therein.
One object of the instant invention is to provide a windproof ashtray assembly that comprises a main interlocking ashtray body having a bottom portion having a receptacle portion capable of receiving rubbish and having a rubbish retaining sidewall extending out from the receptacle portion operable to retain rubbish therebetween, a removable cover portion having a top wall and having a cover portion sidewall extending from the top wall, the top wall that has an opening that operates to provide access to the receptacle portion, and an interlocking tongue-and-groove guide assembly disposed about the bottom portion and the removable cover portion, the tongue-and-groove guide assembly that facilitates laterally slideably joins the top portion and the bottom portion.
According to an embodiment, the interlocking tongue-and-groove guide assembly extends along at least a portion of the bottom portion and the cover portion such that the cover portion slidingly fits with the bottom portion via horizontally sliding the top portion in a single direction in relation to the bottom portion.
According to yet another embodiment, the interlocking tongue-and-groove guide assembly is formed of at least one a male tongue member and at least one female groove member, the at least one female groove member that has at least one groove for receiving at least one tongue of the at least one male tongue member.
According to yet a further embodiment, the interlocking tongue-and-groove guide assembly is disposed about each of the cover portion sidewall and the rubbish retaining sidewall.
According to an embodiment, the outer surface of each of the cover portion sidewall and the rubbish retaining sidewall define an outer sidewall surface, the rubbish retaining sidewall having at least one sidewall recess portion, the recess portion adapted to provide a substantially flush outer sidewall surface.
According to yet another embodiment, the chute is disposed about the opening adapted to channel rubbish to the receptacle portion.
According to a yet further embodiment, the rubbish retaining sidewall has a chute recess constructed to allow at least a portion of the chute to slide therethrough.
According to a further embodiment, the chute includes an ash scraping portion for at least one of extinguishing and removing an ember from a smokable object.
According to an embodiment, the chute includes at least one angled ash directing wall for directing ashes to the receptacle portion.
According to yet another object of the instant invention, a windproof ashtray assembly that comprises an ashtray body that has a bottom portion that has a rubbish receptacle portion and a retaining sidewall disposed about a perimeter of the rubbish receptacle portion, a removable cover portion having a top wall and having a cover portion sidewall disposed about a perimeter of the top wall, the top wall having a first opening, and an interlocking tongue-and-groove guide assembly disposed about the bottom portion and the removable cover portion.
According to an embodiment, the top wall includes at least one concave groove for maintaining a smokable object, the at least one concave groove terminating about the first opening. The top wall slopes inwardly.
According to another embodiment, a butt plate assembly comprises at least two butt plate sidewalls each having a first end and a second end, each of the at least two butt plate sidewalls disposed on a first end about the top wall, and at least two butt plates each having four butt plate edges, the at least two butt plates disposed together along at least one the butt plate edges defining a retaining shield, the at least two butt plates each disposed along at least one the butt plate edges with the second end of each at least two butt plate sidewalls.
According to yet another embodiment, the at least two opposing horizontally offset openings are formed by the combination of the top wall and the butt plate assembly. A flange disposed about the retaining shield and extending vertically thereof, the flange has at least one notch operable to receivably maintain at least one smokable object. The ashtray body is operable for placement on top of a table.
According to an object of the present invention, a table top ashtray assembly comprises a main interlocking ashtray body that has a bottom portion has a receptacle portion capable of receiving rubbish and has a rubbish retaining sidewall extending out from the receptacle portion capable of retaining rubbish therebetween, a removable cover portion has a top wall and has a cover portion sidewall extending from the top wall, the top wall has an opening for providing access to the receptacle portion, an interlocking tongue-and-groove guide assembly disposed about the rubbish retaining sidewall and the cover portion sidewall for joining the top portion and the bottom portion via horizontally sliding the top portion in a single direction in relation to the bottom portion, an outer surface of each of the cover portion sidewall and the rubbish retaining sidewall define an outer sidewall surface, the rubbish retaining sidewall having at least one sidewall recess portion, the recess portion adapted to provide a substantially flush outer sidewall surface, a chute disposed about the opening adapted to channel rubbish to the receptacle portion. The rubbish retaining sidewall has a chute recess constructed to allow at least a portion of the chute to slide therethrough. The chute includes an ash scraping portion for at least one of extinguishing and removing an ember from a smokable object, and the chute includes at least one angled ash directed wall for directing ashes to the receptacle portion. The main interlocking ashtray body configured for hiding rubbish maintainable therein.
Embodiments of the present application are described herein in which similar elements are given similar reference characters, and a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The present invention advantageously provides an ashtray assembly that has a body configured to contain rubbish where rubbish is defined as including without limitation ashes, cigarette butts, cigar butts, and/or other cigarette or cigar waste. The body further configured for optimal wind protection and fire safety. The present invention contemplates various types of embodiments configured with a slidable cover to provide a contained inner body for storing rubbish. The present ashtray assembly may be configured to maintain a smokable object, whereby a smokable object may include without limitation, tobacco cigarettes, marijuana cigarettes, cigars, electronic smokable device, or other like smokable members as would be commonly understood in the art.
Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Referring now to the drawings figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the ashtray assembly 100 is particularly configured to sit on a table top.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the ashtray assembly 100 is configured to have a width “W” and/or a length “L” that is greater than the height “H” (as best depicted in
In one non-limiting embodiment, the ashtray assembly 100 is provided having four sides 108, 110, 112, 114. The four sides disposed about a top portion 115. The top portion 115 having one or more inwardly sloping top panels 116, 118, 120, 122. The one or more of the inwardly sloping top panels, 116, 118, 120, 122, have one or more concave grooves 124 adapted to maintain one or more smokable objects thereupon. While the instant invention depicts six concave grooves 124 spread across two inwardly sloping top panels 118, 122, any desired number of concave grooves 124 may formed about the inwardly sloping top panels 116, 118, 120, 122.
The one or more inwardly sloping top panels 116, 118, 120, 122 is constructed to form an opening 126 optionally within the confines of the distal edge 128. In an embodiment, the opening is substantially horizontal, however, it is not so required in light of the spirit and scope of the present invention. Optionally, the opening 126 is substantially centrally located about the top of the ashtray assembly 100 as depicted in
In one non-limiting embodiment, the one or more outer edges of the ashtray assembly 100 are bowed and/or rounded.
Referring now to
The base portion 102 includes an ashtray portion 202 used to receive rubbish through the cover portion 104.
Referring now to
The butt plate retaining sidewalls 132, 134 are disposed with butt plates 140, 142 to maintain the butt plats 104, 142 in a sloped orientation. The sloped orientation of the butt plates 140, 142 are configured to facilitate via gravity entry of rubbish into the confines of the ashtray assembly 100. The butt plate retaining sidewalls 132, 134 and the butt plates 140, 142 are collectively referred herein as the butt plate assembly 200.
The sidewalls 132, 134 each have a first end 144, 146, and a second end, 148, 150, respectively. The first ends 144, 146 of the sidewalls 132, 134 combine with an edge 152 of the butt plate 140 and the distal edge 128 creating a first vertical opening 154 for allowing rubbish to enter into the ashtray assembly 100. The second ends 148, 150 of the sidewalls 132, 134 combine with an edge 156 of the butt plate 140 and the distal edge 128 creating a second vertical opening 158 for allowing rubbish to enter into the ashtray assembly 100. While the first and second vertical openings 154, 158 are positioned vertically in relation to the bottom of the ashtray assembly 100, it is not so required and the vertical openings may be offset from vertical as desired.
In an embodiment, the butt plates 140, 142 are constructed to receive a smokable object for extinguishing the cigarette ember of the smokable object. The smokable object can then optionally be dropped, laid, placed, or otherwise contacted with one or more of the butt plates 140, 142, the smokable object of which will then roll, slide, or otherwise move along the butt plates 140, 142 by way of gravity for causing the smokable object to enter into the ashtray assembly 100 through at least one of the vertical openings 154, 158. The butt plats 140, 142 are joined to create a peak portion 164.
At the peak portion 164 of the butt plates 140, 142, a flange extends out vertical therefrom. In an embodiment, the flange extends across at least a portion of the length of the ashtray assembly 100 maintained by the opening 126. The flange is shaped having one or more smokable object retaining portions 162. Each of the smokable object retaining portions 162 are shaped to grasp and/or maintain a smokable object therewith.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the ashtray assembly 100, in a closed position as shown in
Referring now to
The base portion 102 and the cover portion 104 include one or more complementary tongue 180, 184 and groove 182, 186 portions. Optionally, the one or more complementary mating tongues 180, 184 mate with one or more grooves 182, 186, respectively. The tongues 180, 184, and grooves extend a desired length between the sides 108, 112 along one or both of the length of the sides 110, 114. In one operation illustrated in
Optionally (not shown), the one or more tongues 180, 184, widen at the distal portions 188, 190 as it extends out from its proximal formation 192, 194 and/or securement about the base portion 102. Optionally (not shown), the one or more grooves narrows as the groove extends out towards the rims 196, 198 of the grooves 182, 186.
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As best illustrated by the combination of
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In one non-limiting embodiment, the ashtray assembly 1000 is provided having four sides 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, illustrated by the combination of
The cover portion 1004 comprises the top cover portion 1016. The top cover portion 1016 comprises and/or is formed having one or more concave grooves 1024 adapted to maintain the smokable objects thereupon. The concave groove has a first end 1018 that is optionally tapered and a second end 1020, the second end 1020 terminates at or about the opening 1026.
While the instant invention depicts one concave groove 1024 designed for single person and/or single inhalable object use about the top cover portion 1016, any desired number of concave grooves 1024 may formed about the top cover portion 1016. For example, the length of the sides 1008, 1010, 1014 may optionally be extended to allow for additional concave grooves formed about the top cover portion 1016, the additional concave grooves 1024 terminate at or about the opening 1026. Additional concave grooves 1024 would provide an ashtray for concurrent use by multiple persons and/or multiple inhalable objects. Additional concave grooves 1024 would provide an ashtray configured to concurrently accept and maintain multiple smokable objects, such as multiple cigars, thereon.
In an embodiment (not shown), when multiple concave grooves 1024 are provided, the ashtray assembly 1000 may be shaped as rectangular, square, circular, or other configurable shapes. When there are multiple additional concave grooves 1024, one or more additional concave groove may be positioned on the top cover portion 1016 opposite of another one or more additional concave groove 1024.
The top cover portion 1016 is constructed to form the opening 1026 optionally within the confines of an inner edge 1028 of the top cover portion 1016. In one embodiment, the inner edge 1028 substantially forms a square interrupted by one or more of the second ends 1020 of the concave grooves 1024. While a substantially square opening 1026 is shown, any desired shape may be implemented within the spirit and scope of the present invention, including without limitation a rectangular, circular, or trapezoidal opening 1026. The additional concave grooves 1024 may be arranged at any desired orientation about the top cover portion 1016.
In an embodiment, the opening 1026 is substantially horizontal, however, it is not so required in light of the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the instant opening 1026 is disposed towards the side 1008 of the cover portion 1004, alternatively the opening 126 may be moved substantially central about the top of the ashtray assembly 1000, or the opening 1026 may be otherwise offset as desired and/or required.
While the instant ashtray assembly 1000 is formed having a substantially three dimensional bowed rectangular shape, it is not so required and some other embodiments may be formed of any other desired shape.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the sides of the ashtray assembly 1000 are bowed and/or rounded. In one non-limiting embodiment, the ashtray assembly 1000 has dull or otherwise rounded outer edges.
Referring not to one non-limiting embodiment shown by
The base portion 1002 includes an ashtray portion 2002 used to receive rubbish through the cover portion 1004, and particularly through the opening 1026.
Referring now to
While the instant invention is depicted in
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the tooth 1066 projects downward from the cover portion 1004 at least equal to or greater than the distance in which the chute 1032 extends downward from the cover portion 1004.
Referring now to one embodiment shown in
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Still Referring to
Optionally (not shown), the one or more tongues 1080, 184, widen at the distal portions 1088, 1090 as it extends out from its proximal formation 1092, 1094 and/or securement about the base portion 1002. Optionally (not shown), the one or more grooves narrow as the grooves extend out to the rims 1096, 1098 of the grooves 1082, 1086.
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As best illustrated by the combination of
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As used herein, when the term “and/or” is used, it shall include all combinations of one or more of the associated described items.
In operation of the ashtray assembly found herein, a smoker may place his smokable object on the ashtray assembly, including on a concave groove that is configured to maintain a smokable object or on a notch in the flange. In a resting position, the smoldering edge of the smokable object will be positioned over the chute such that the ashes will fall either directly into a space within the ashtray assembly for collecting rubbish, or will contact an angled surface and thereby slide, roll, or otherwise move along the surface into the space for collecting rubbish.
In yet another, a surface and/or edge of the surface operates to receive the smoldering ember of a smokable object for extinguishing the ember. Alternatively, the smoldering ember of the smokable object is separated from the smokable object and caused to enter the space within the ashtray assembly, which acts to prevent foreign objects from contacting it, and thereby preventing fires. Yet further, the smoker may wish to discard the remaining smokable object or may wish to save the smokable object to continue smoking at a later time. The smoker may discard the remaining smokable object by dropping the smokable object against a cute and/or angled surface. The smoker may alternatively leave the remaining smokable object on the concave groove and/or the notch on the flange. Any smoldering ember that enters the ashtray assembly is prevented from blowing out due to the wind because of the proof construction thereof. Additionally, the cover cannot simply be lifted off of the base of the ashtray assembly thereby preventing the cover from being knocked off and spilling the contents thereof, but instead operatively requires a person to slide the cover laterally.
In on operation, it is intended that an embodiment of the instant invention is useful as a table top ashtray that is compact, highly attractive, easy and simple to use.
It is desired that in one embodiment, the ashtray assembly described herein is formed of plastic and may be blow molded. While it is contemplated that the instant invention is formed of plastic, it is not so required any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be formed of any materials capable of forming creating the invention as described herein.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are contemplated in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It will be readily apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure or sacrificing all of its material advantages. The examples and embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the instant disclosure.
