Abstract:
A portable promotional ashtray and methods of manufacturing the same. The portable promotional ashtray may have a rectangular outer housing with an upper lip attached to the front portion and having a promotional display a rectangular drawer having a rear portion that is higher than the sides of the rectangular drawer to partially removably contain the rectangular drawer within the rectangular outer housing and containing an extinguishing substance; and a looking mechanism for securing the rectangular drawer when in a closed position. A promotional display may be affixed to the outer housing. As such a portable, disposable ashtray for giveaways at bars, restaurants is provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/508,725, filed Oct. 3, 2003, entitled “Portable Promotional Ashtray”. 

   The present invention generally relates to cigarette ashtrays, particularly, small, portable, ashtrays for receiving ash from cigarettes, cigars, or other smoking apparatus, or spent cigarette butts. The present invention is also intended to be disposable, as well as a method for promotions. 
   When no ashtrays are readily available, cigarette buts are often discarded on the ground. This can be unsanitary, an environmental mess, and a fire hazard if the discarded cigarette or cigar is still lit. Conventional ashtrays are also problematic due to its shallow, open-faced construction; contents of conventional ashtrays are frequently blown around by wind causing unsanitary, unsightly surroundings, and can easily be spilled if inadvertently turned on its side. 
   Numerous portable ashtrays are known within the art. By way of example U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,499 issued to Zayas discloses a portable ashtray made of flexible heat resistant material that can be folded into a little pouch, with a top that covers the aperture of the receptacle but also doubles as a stand to support the ash tray when set down. The construction of the ashtray especially its aperture cover do not provide an adequate seal that traps both cigarette and cigarette odors. Its size although conveniently portable, when empty, in the wrapper of a cigarette pack, cannot hold a multitude of cigarette butts. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,478 issued to Keidar, discloses a pivotally mounted weighted portable ashtray. The ashtray has a top ash receptacle, within a flat-bottomed holder, so as to prevent spills when the ashtray is inadvertently tipped on its side. This ashtray however, doesn&#39;t have the ability to be sealed closed thus allowing the user to store spent cigarettes and ash. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,285 issued to Lozano et al., discloses a compact ashtray assembly with upper and lower compartments. Insertable into the lower compartment is a removable tray for receiving ash and spent cigarette butts, the upper compartment being a storage chamber for smoker articles. This compact ashtray in its complexity of having multiple compartments is inconvenient in the aspect of a disposable promotional item. 
   Accordingly, what is needed is a small portable ashtray, which is simple and inexpensive and can be used as a promotional giveaway. This portable ashtray will have a size convenient enough to carry in a pocket while still being able to hold a multitude of discarded cigarettes, and can be properly sealed as to not inadvertently empty it contents. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a portable ashtray that may safely and securely contains spent cigarettes within ones pocket and may also be used as a promotional give away. 
   According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a compact, portable ashtray assembly is disclosed, comprising: a rectangular outer housing, having a promotional display; a rectangular drawer partially removably contained within the rectangular outer housing containing an extinguishing substance; and a locking mechanism for securing the removable rectangular drawer when in a closed position. 
   According to another embodiment of the present invention, a compact, portable ashtray assembly is disclosed, comprising: a cylindrical outer housing having a first aperture along a longitudinal side; a cylindrical inner housing rotatably contained in the cylindrical outer housing having a second aperture along a longitudinal side, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are in rotating communication as to provide an open position and a closed position, the closed position providing a sealed receptacle. 
   According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a compact, portable ashtray assembly is disclosed, comprising: a rectangular outer housing; a rectangular drawer partially removably contained within the rectangular outer housing containing an extinguishing substance; and a slide mechanism with a protrusion attached to the rectangular drawer in sliding communication with an opening along a side of the rectangular outer housing. 
   According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating of a compact, portable ashtray assembly with a rectangular shape is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: providing an rectangular outer housing; providing a rectangular drawer wherein the rectangular drawer is smaller than the rectangular outer housing; filling the rectangular drawer with an extinguishing substance; inserting the rectangular drawer into the rectangular outer housing; and affixing a promotional logo on a portion of the compact, promotional ashtray assembly. 
   According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a compact, portable ashtray assembly is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cylindrical outer housing; providing a cylindrical inner housing wherein the cylindrical inner housing is rotatably contained within the cylidrical outer housing; providing a first aperture along the longitudinal side of the cylindrical outer housing; providing a second aperture along the longitudinal side of the cylindrical inner housing wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are in rotating communication; filling the cylindrical inner housing with an extinguishing substance; inserting the cylindrical inner housing into the cylindrical outer housing; affixing a promotional logo on a portion of the disposable compact portable ashtray assembly. 
   This summary is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  depicts a front view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1C  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1D  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2B  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3A  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a front view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3C  depicts a front view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3D  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of a method according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of a method according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  depicts a flowchart of a method according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     FIGS. 1A–1D  depict a compact portable ashtray assembly  60  according to the present invention. As shown there is a rectangular outer housing  50  and a slightly smaller rectangular drawer  52 . In a preferred embodiment, the rectangular outer housing  50  and the rectangular drawer  52  could be constructed from heat resistant material. The rectangular drawer  52  is partially removably contained within the rectangular outer housing  50 , allowing the rectangular drawer  52  to slide in and out of the rectangular outer housing  50 . The ashtray assembly  60  can be in a closed position with the locking mechanism  62 . In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism  62  is comprised of a pin  56  located on the longitudinal side  61  of the rectangular outer housing  50  which can be inserted into a hole like receptacle  54  located on the longitudinal side  61  of the rectangular drawer  52 . The rectangular drawer  52  contains an extinguishing substance  58 , which could be chosen from the group including sand, gel, air freshener or foam in a preferred embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, a promotional display  51 , such as a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark, or emblem, is affixed to the rectangular outer housing  50  and the rectangular drawer  52 . It is envisioned that the open end  61  of the rectangular outer housing  50  has a first lip  59  extending from the top portion  53  of the rectangular outer housing  50  and the rectangular drawer  52  has a second lip  57  on the back portion of the drawer  49 . The first lip  59  and second lip  57  prevent the rectangular drawer  52  from sliding out of the rectangular outer housing  50 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , if the user desires to remove the rectangular drawer  52  he can do so by opening the rectangular drawer  52  at a given angle, thus taking the first lip  59  and the second lip  57  out of communication. By way of example, refills may be sold allowing the rectangular drawer  52  to be discarded, and replaced with a new rectangular drawer  52  containing a fresh extinguishing substance  58 . 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a compact, portable ashtray assembly  40  according to another preferred embodiment. As shown, this ashtray assembly  40  consists of a cylindrical outer housing  30  and a cylindrical inner housing  32 . In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical outer housing  30  and the cylindrical inner housing  32  could be constructed from heat resistant material. The cylindrical outer housing  30  has a first aperture  34  along a longitudinal side  35 , the cylindrical inner housing  32  which is rotatably contained in the cylindrical outer housing  30  has a second aperture  36  along a longitudinal side  35 . The cylindrical outer housing  30  and cylindrical inner housing  32  may be rotated so as to align the first aperture  34  and second aperture  36  in an open position as well as provide a closed position. The cylindrical inner housing  32  may also contain an extinguishing substance  38 , which may be any extinguishing substance including sand, gel, air freshener or foam. A promotional display  31 , such as a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark, or emblem may also be is affixed to the cylindrical outer housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be used as a giveaway or freebie at a bar. For example, there may be Absolut® Vodka, RedBull® or other advertisers that may hand out such ashtrays with their logo proudly displayed. In this way they are advertising their product and their concern for the cleanliness of the neighborhood. 
     FIGS. 3A–3D  depict a compact portable ashtray assembly  20  according to the present invention. As shown there is a rectangular outer housing  10 , and a slightly smaller rectangular drawer  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the rectangular outer housing  10  and the rectangular drawer  12  could be constructed from heat resistant material. The rectangular drawer  12  is partially removably contained within the rectangular outer housing  10 , allowing the rectangular drawer  12  to slide in and out of the rectangular outer housing  10 . A slide mechanism  15  is located on a longitudinal side  41  as to facilitate opening and closing of the ashtray assembly  20 . The slide mechanism  15  is comprised of a guide like rectangular opening  14  along the length of the longitudinal side  41  of the rectangular outer housing  10 . Attached to the rectangular inner housing  12  is a protrusion  16 , in communication with the rectangular opening  14  of the rectangular outer housing  10 . The user can slide the rectangular drawer  12  open and shut by sliding the protrusion  16  back and forth along the guide opening  14 . The rectangular drawer  12  contains an extinguishing substance  58 , which could be chosen from the group including sand, gel, air freshener or foam in a preferred embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, a promotional display  21 , such as a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark, or emblem, is affixed to the rectangular outer housing  10 . It is envisioned that the open end  23  of the rectangular outer housing  10  has a first lip  19  extending from the top portion  11  and the rectangular drawer  12  has a second lip  17  on back portion  13 . The first lip  19  and second lip  17  prevent the rectangular drawer  12  from sliding completely out of the rectangular outer housing  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , if the user desires to remove the rectangular drawer  12  he can do so by opening the rectangular drawer  12  at a given angle, thus taking the first lip  19  and the second lip  17  out of communication. By way of example, refills may be sold allowing the rectangular drawer  12  to be discarded, and replaced with a new rectangular drawer  12  containing a fresh extinguishing substance  18 . 
     FIG. 4  depicts a method of fabricating of a compact, portable ashtray assembly with a rectangular shape  60 , the method comprising the steps of: step ( 400 ) providing an rectangular outer housing  50 . Step ( 402 ) is providing a rectangular drawer  52  wherein the rectangular drawer  52  is slightly smaller than the rectangular outer housing  50 . Step ( 404 ) may be providing a hole  55  in the longitudinal side  61  of the rectangular outer housing  50 . Step ( 406 ) is providing a locking mechanism  62  for locking the rectangular drawer  52  in the rectangular outer housing  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism  52  consists of a pin  56  protruding through a longitudinal side  61  of the rectangular outer housing  50 , in communication with a receptacle  54  on the corresponding longitudinal side  61  of the rectangular drawer  52 . Step ( 408 ) may be filling the rectangular drawer  52  with an extinguishing substance  58 , this may be sand, gel, air freshener or foam in a preferred embodiment. Step ( 410 ) is inserting the rectangular drawer  52  into the rectangular outer housing  50 . Step ( 412 ) is affixing a promotional display  51  on a portion of the compact, promotional ashtray assembly  60 , which could be a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark, or emblem, in a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 5  depicts a method of fabricating a compact, portable ashtray assembly with a cylindrical shape  40  comprising the steps of: step ( 500 ) providing a cylindrical outer housing  30 . Step ( 502 ) is providing a cylindrical inner housing  32  wherein the cylindrical inner housing  32  is rotatably contained within the cylindrical outer housing  30 . Step ( 504 ) is providing a first aperture  34  along the longitudinal side  35  of the cylindrical outer housing  30 . Step ( 506 ) is providing a second aperture  36  along the longitudinal  35  side of the cylindrical inner housing  32  wherein the first aperture  34  and the second aperture  36  are in rotating communication. Step ( 508 ) may be filling the cylindrical inner housing  32  with an extinguishing substance  38 , according to a preferred embodiment the extinguishing substance  38  which may be sand, gel, air freshener or foam. Step ( 510 ) is inserting the cylindrical inner housing  32  into the cylindrical outer housing  30 . Step ( 512 ) is printing a promotional display  31  on a portion of the disposable compact portable ashtray assembly  40 , such as a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark, or emblem, is affixed to the cylindrical outer housing. 
     FIG. 6  depicts a method of fabricating a compact portable ashtray assembly with a rectangular shape  20  comprising the steps of: step ( 600 ) providing an rectangular outer housing  10 . Step ( 602 ) is providing a rectangular drawer  12  wherein the rectangular drawer  12  is slightly smaller than the rectangular outer housing  10 . Step ( 604 ) is providing a long rectangular guide opening  14  along a longitudinal side  41  of the rectangular outer housing  10 ; Step ( 606 ) is attaching a protrusion  16  to the longitudinal side  41  of the rectangular drawer  12 . This protrusion  16  is in sliding communication with the rectangular guide  14  opening of the rectangular outer housing  10 . Step ( 608 ) may be filling the rectangular drawer  12  with an extinguishing substance  18 , which may be sand, gel, air freshener or foam. Step ( 610 ) is inserting the rectangular drawer  12  into the rectangular outer housing  50 . Step ( 612 ) is affixing a promotional display  21  on a portion of the compact, promotional ashtray assembly  20 , which could be a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark, or emblem, in a preferred embodiment.