Ashtray and Storage Device

Abstract

An ashtray according to the principles of the invention includes a container portion having two internal sections where the container is configured to receive a first lid. The first lid includes topical features for use as an ash tray and defines holes to allow ashes to drop into section of the container. In one embodiment, the first lid also includes a second section covered with a hinged cover. This section defines an aperture to another portion of the container which is preferable configured to store accessories. A second lid is configured to cover the first lid. When the second lid covers the first lid, the ashtray is substantially odor free.

Claims

1. An ashtray assembly comprising: a container including a substantially flat bottom end, and defining a planar opening at another end and an interior volume; and, a first lid configured to removably cover the planar opening, the first lid having a top surface configured to define a workspace for a smokable, the workspace further defining at least one aperture and an ash working feature.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the ash working feature includes a debowler.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the debowler comprises a pyramid shape.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the pyramid base defines the aperture.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises heat resistant silicone.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first lid workspace further defines a plurality of ash working features.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first lid workspace further defines a plurality of apertures.

8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second lid configured to removably and substantially cover the first lid.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the container further includes an interior sectioning wall spanning a height and width of the container interior substantially dividing the interior volume into a first volume and a second volume, wherein the first lid workspace is substantially positioned over the first volume when the first lid covers the container.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein, when covering the container, the first lid defines a first section corresponding to the first volume, the first section defining the workspace, and a second section corresponding to the second volume, the second section defining a second section aperture, wherein the at least one aperture of the workspace is in mechanical communication with the first volume and the second section aperture is in mechanical communication with the second volume.

11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the first lid further comprises a hinged cover which when closed substantially covers the second section aperture and which when open provides access to the second volume.

12. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a second lid configured to removably cover the first lid.

13. A cup lid comprising a heat resistant and resilient material and defining: a substantially circular shape having a diameter and a circumference; a top surface configured to define a workspace for a smokable, the workspace further defining at least one aperture and an ash working feature; a bottom surface defining an annular indentation around the circumference of the circular shaped lid, wherein the cup lid is removably affixable on a cup opening defined by a rim of substantially similar circumference and diameter to the circular shape diameter and circumference by inserting the rim into the indentation.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the ash working feature includes a debowler.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the debowler comprises a pyramid shape.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the pyramid base defines the aperture.

17. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the heat resistant and resilient material comprises heat resistant silicone.

18. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the first lid workspace further defines a plurality of ash working features.

19. An assembly comprising a cup lid according to claim 13 further comprising a second lid configured to removably and substantially cover the cup lid.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the second lid comprises a substantially odor proof material.

21. An ashtray assembly comprising: a container including a substantially flat bottom end, and defining a planar opening at another end and an interior volume, the container further including an interior sectioning wall spanning a height and width of the container interior substantially dividing the interior volume into a first volume and a second volume; and, a first lid configured to removably cover the planar opening, the first lid having a top surface configured to define a workspace for a smokable, the workspace further defining at least one aperture, wherein the first lid workspace is substantially positioned over the first volume when the first lid covers the container.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein, when covering the container, the first lid defines a first section corresponding to the first volume, the first section defining the workspace, and a second section corresponding to the second volume, the second section defining a second section aperture, wherein the at least one aperture of the workspace is in mechanical communication with the first volume and the second section aperture is in mechanical communication with the second volume.

23. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the first lid further comprises a hinged cover which when closed substantially covers the second section aperture and which when open provides access to the second volume.

24. The assembly of claim 21 further comprising a second lid configured to removably cover the first lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In the drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a lidded ashtray according to the principles of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper lid in an exploded view;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper lid removed;

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper lid removed;

[0022] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the upper lid of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the ashtray lid features of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional cut away view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0025] FIG. 10 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the lids removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate one embodiment of an ashtray and cache 100 according to the principles of the invention. In FIG. 1, the ashtray 100 is shaped and ornamented in the fashion of a lidded coffee cup. The configuration of FIG. 1. shows a perspective view illustrating the cup 102 with an upper lid 104. The upper lid 104 fits atop a second lid that comprises useful topological features for use as an ashtray, as will be further explained. FIG. 5 provides a side view of the exemplary ashtray 100.

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 7 show additional views of an exemplary lid 104. As can be seen, the lid is provided is ornamented to look like a typical coffee cup lid. The lid 104 is removable. An indentation 106 connotes a drinking aperture. In the exemplary embodiment 106, the indentation serves an ornamental purpose and the useful purpose of providing a tactile feature which a user can use to aid in removing the lid 104 from the container and applying the lid to the container 102.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In FIG. 2, the ashtray 100 is shown in perspective view with upper lid 104 lifted to reveal lower lid 108. Lower lid 108 fits onto cup 102 and includes various features convenient for use as an ashtray. Bowl section 116 defines an indentation or bowl for use as a working space for a user's smokables. A pyramid shaped protrusion 110 is provided within the working space 116. This can be used to remove ashes from a smokable, remove ash from a bowl, or the like, and is hereafter also called a debowler. Features for use in assisting ash removal or shaping in connection with a smokable are referred to generically as ash working features. The pyramid shape allows the debowler to be used with a wide range of bowl sizes and shapes. The edges of the pyramid provide scrapers for helping to remove ash and debris from a bowl or to shape the ash of a smokable. In the exemplary embodiment, the pyramid has a base dimension of about 18 mm tapering to a point. In as side view as shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary relative height of debowler 110 is shown along with an illustrative implementation of hinge 118.

[0031] 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 FIG. 2, a press fit or interference fit keeps the cover 112 secure. A person of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure will understand that the cover 112, hinge 118, and tab 114 can be implemented in different ways without departing from the invention.

[0032] FIGS. 4 and 8 provide a top and perspective view of lid 108, respectively. In FIG. 4, aperture 120 is defined by the base of protrusion 110. This aperture 120 provide an opening to the waste section of container 110. The walls of debowler 110 define wall apertures 122, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. The edges of the apertures 122 provide additional scraping surfaces to the debowler 110. A user working ash off a smokable or cleaning a bowl generates waste ash that will collect in bowl 116. This ash will also fall through the aperture 120 into the container 102 until the user can clean the ashtray 100.

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the ashtray and cache cup 100 with both lower lid 108 and upper lid 104 in place. In this embodiment, the inner volume of container 102 is sectioned into two volumes 130 and 132 by inner sectioning wall 128. As can be seen, the sectioning wall 128 is positioned such that volume 130 is greater than volume 132. The greater volume 130 is positioned beneath the debowler 110 and related apertures, and can receive ash or waste from the bowl 116. The other volume 132 acts as the storage cache and is positioned beneath hinged 118 cover 112. FIG. 10 shows a top view of the cup 102. Sectioning wall 128 divides the inner volume into a waste catching volume 130 and the storage cache 132. A person of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure that the sectioning wall 128 may be selectively placed to define desired volume proportions. The skilled artisan will also understand that additional sections can be created without departing from the principles of the invention.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] An exemplary cup can have the following approximate dimensions for the described features.

TABLE-US-00001 Cup Height 115 mm Top Cup Diameter 100 mm The Bottom Cup Diameter 85 mm Debowler Height From Lower Bowl Surface 23 mm Debowler Base Width 18 mm Bowl Depth 15 mm Distance From Nearest Top Cup Edge to Inner Wall 38 mm

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.