Container for discarded smoking materials

Abstract

A container has a disposable receptacle present within the container. The disposable receptacle, such as a suitably structured bag, is positioned within the container, and an air eliminator eliminates air from a space that is between the bag and the container, so that the bag is pulled against an interior of the container, thereby reducing the flammability and puncture resistance of the bag. The bag has a closure mechanism that prevents air from entering the bag, and that prevents smoke from escaping from the bag, after a burning object is placed within the bag.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ashtray, comprising, 
 a) a container,    b) a bag that is present within said container, and    c) an air eliminator that communicates with a space that is between said bag and said container,    wherein said bag is attached to said container so that said space is substantially air tight.    
     
     
         2 . An ashtray as described in  claim 1 , wherein said container has a closure mechanism, and wherein said closure mechanism selectively applies pressure to said bag to separate an upper portion of said bag from a lower portion of said bag.  
     
     
         3 . An ashtray as described in  claim 2 , wherein said air eliminator communicates with a space that is between said lower portion of said bag and said container.  
     
     
         4 . An ashtray as described in  claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of said container that supports said bag is funnel shaped.  
     
     
         5 . An ashtray as described in  claim 2 , wherein an upper portion of said container that is above said closure mechanism is funnel shaped.  
     
     
         6 . An ashtray as described in  claim 1 , wherein said bag is flame retardant.  
     
     
         7 . An ashtray as described in  claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of said container maybe selectively separated from an upper portion of said container.  
     
     
         8 . An ashtray as described in  claim 2 , wherein a lower portion of said container that is below said closure mechanism maybe selectively separated from an upper portion of said container.  
     
     
         9 . An ashtray as described in  claim 1 , wherein said air eliminator is a vacuum pump.  
     
     
         10 . An ashtray as described in  claim 1 , wherein said closure mechanism is spring biased.  
     
     
         11 . A method of using the ashtray of  claim 2 , comprising the steps of: 
 a) positioning said bag within said container, with an upper portion of said bag located above said closure mechanism, and lower portion of said bag positioned below said closure mechanism; and    b) eliminating air from said space between said lower portion of said bag and said container by operating said air eliminator;    c) actuating said closure mechanism to provide a conduit between said upper portion of said bag and said lower portion of said bag;    d) inserting a burning object into an opening of said upper portion of said bag and allowing said burning object to travel to said lower portion of said bag;    e) actuating said closure mechanism to separate said upper portion of said bag from said lower portion of said bag; wherein said burning object is extinguished.    
     
     
         12 . A method of using the ashtray as described in  claim 11 , wherein a lower portion of said container is separated from an upper portion of said container so as to provide an opening in said container, and said bag is removed through said opening in said container.