Abstract:
A covered ashtray which has a reversible top which is reversed when the ashtray is in use. The reversed side allows for the use of the ashtray in a standard fashion. Upon completion of use, the top may be placed back into the original position, wherein the ash and cigarette butts will be deposited into a chamber in the bottom portion of the ashtray.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to ashtrays, and more specifically to an ashtray with a reversible top. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The use of ashtrays has been known in the art for countless years. Improvements to the ashtray have been made to facilitate the retention, extinguishing, and disposal of cigarettes. While such designs have been developed, there have nevertheless been a plurality of drawbacks associated with prior designs. 
     It is well known that smoking outdoors or in public areas can create adverse and often hazardous effects, including the possibility of the cigarette butts becoming the cause of a fire. In addition, smoking indoors and using conventional ashtrays can result in there being an undesirable view of an ashtray filled with cigarette butts and also result in there being the unpleasant smell resulting therefrom. 
     What is called for is an ashtray that allows for the concealment of the smoking debris when the ashtray is not in use. What is also called for is an ashtray that can greatly reduce the fire risk from cigarette butts. What is also called for is an ashtray that does not appear to be an ashtray when not in use. 
     SUMMARY 
     A covered ashtray which has a reversible top which is reversed when the ashtray is in use. The reversed side allows for the use of the ashtray in a standard fashion. Upon completion of use, the top may be placed back into the original position, wherein the ash and cigarette butts will be deposited into a chamber in the bottom portion of the ashtray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a covered ashtray according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an ashtray top piece according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cutaway view of an ashtray top piece according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cutaway side view of a covered ashtray according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway side view of a covered ashtray according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway view of a top portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a top portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a covered ashtray  10  has a top portion  11  and a base  12 . The top surface  14  of the top portion  11  may be curved, and may be in the shape of a partial sphere in some embodiments. The top portion  11  is adapted to reside atop the base  12 . The top portion  11  is adapted to be easily removable from the base  12 . In some embodiments, the ashtray  10  may be made of a heavy material such as brass. 
     The top portion  11  of the ashtray  10  has a recessed lower rim  15  adapted to fit snugly within the interior dimension of the base  12 , thereby centrally positioning the top portion  11  within the ashtray  10 . The top portion  11  is adapted to be reversed for use when smoking. The top portion  11  may be easily lifted up and flipped over by the user. The top surface  14  of the top portion  11  becomes the bottom in this circumstance, and the top portion may have a top recess  13  allowing for the same type of centrally positioned fit as was seen with the lower recess on the bottom of the top portion.  FIG. 3  shows a profile of an alternative top portion wherein the top surface  20  is recessed relative to the rim  21 , also allowing for a centrally positioned fit, with the rim residing around the outer rim of the base  12 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an aspect of the use of the ashtray  10 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the top portion  11  as it is being slid into position onto the base  12 . Partial arc  22  illustrates the path that the top portion  11  will take, as well as the arc of furthest penetration that the top portion will take into the well of the base  12 . A preferred situation is wherein the arc of penetration, which penetrates a distance very close to the depth of the arc of top surface  14  of the top portion  11 , does not penetrate into the well of the base  12  far enough to interfere with the residue  20  that may build up in the base during normal use, in between the times when the user empties the base  12 . For example, there may be an inch or more of depth in the well of the base  12  to allow for this buildup, so that the top portion does not pick up or disturb this residue when being slid into place. 
     In some embodiments, the top portion  11  will have sufficient weight to help the top portion slide fully into the smoking position, as seen in  FIG. 5 . A relatively smooth top surface coupled with the mass of using a relatively dense metal, such as brass, helps enable the top portion  11  slide down into the centrally positioned location. The insert  16  is adapted to allow the user to place a cigarette in slot  21  while it rests upon the inner rim of the top portion. Ashes can be placed into the center of the insert, and the cigarette can be stamped out in the center of the insert as well. 
     Upon completion of smoking, the user may turn over the top portion and dump the debris into the well of the base  12 . The top portion may then be replaced onto the base with its curved side  14  facing upwards. This setup has numerous advantages. The smoking debris and ash is covered over in the well of the base after completion of smoking. This greatly reduces the likelihood of accidentally starting a fire. For example, if used outside, the fact that the ashes and butts are inside a covered well minimizes the possibility that a breeze may flame up a cigarette butt that was not fully extinguished. A similar addition of safety occurs inside the home. 
     Further, the fact that one may cover the smoking debris greatly reduces the amount of odor that the ashtray will cause after the completion of smoking. Another distinct advantage is that the user may have this ashtray on a coffee table or side table and it simply will not appear to be an ashtray. As smoking has to some extent fallen out of favor in polite society, the ability to camouflage an ashtray may fit the needs of some users. In addition, the top surface  14  of the top portion  11  may be embossed or otherwise decorated such that the closed ashtray has the appearance of a knick knack container or the like. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cross section of a top portion  11  as it would be in use while residing atop the base  12 . The raised lip  16  with its slots  21  have one of the slots occupied by a cigarette  30 . In some embodiments, the raised lip  16  will be define a hollow space or well within such that there is sufficient space at least for the ashes and butts of one or two cigarettes. The height  32  of the base of the slots  21  relative to the height  31  of the interior of the top portion is preferred to be relatively equal such that the lit end of the cigarette is not pointed down and placed too deeply into the hollow space within the insert, in order to avoid relighting discarded butts and the like, but still is in a position that it will not likely fall out. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top portion  11  with a raised lip  16  according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.