Ash tray movable between a sealed retracted position and an accessible extended postion

Abstract

A cylindrical housing encloses a receptacle for receiving cigarette ashes. An actuator within the housing supports a mounting rim which may be moved between an extended position free of the housing, and a retracted position within the housing. The receptacle provides a peripheral flange configured and shaped for engagement with the mounting rim, so that the rim with the receptacle may be driven fully into the housing, and extended free of the housing. The receptacle may be lifted away from the rim for disposing of ashes and then later replaced onto the rim. When the receptacle is stored within the housing a door is closed to seal the housing so as to prevent smoke or ash from drifting out of the receptacle and into the room where the receptacle is located.

1 . An ashtray apparatus comprising: a cylindrical housing defining an open front end and a closed back end; an ash receptacle for receiving cigarette ashes, and an actuator providing a mounting rim, the actuator fixedly mounted within the housing and fixtured for moving the mounting rim between an extended position free of the housing, and a retracted position within the housing; the receptacle providing a peripheral flange configured and shaped for engagement with the mounting rim, whereby, the rim with the receptacle may be driven fully into the housing, and whereby the rim with receptacle may be driven free of the housing so that the receptacle may be lifted away from the rim for disposing of ashes and then replaced onto the rim for further collection of ashes.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing provides a fastening means for mounting the housing under a horizontal surface wherein a longitudinal axis of the housing is parallel with the horizontal surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing provides a fastening means for mounting the housing to a vertical surface wherein a longitudinal axis of the housing is perpendicular to the vertical surface.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle has a pocket for receiving the ashes and the rim is attached to a further pocket for receiving a flame producing device.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral flange of the receptacle has a semicircular portion and a linear portion, the semicircular portion providing at least one recess for receiving a cigarette.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a hinged door, the door forced by an attached spring into a closed position covering and sealing the open front end of the housing when the receptacle is in the retracted position; the door forced into an open position by the receptacle as the receptacle moves into the extended position.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a table, the table providing the horizontal surface, the open front end of the housing positioned adjacent an edge of the table such that the receptacle is accessible when in the extended position.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a wall, the wall providing the vertical surface, the wall further providing a slot for receiving the housing, the open front end of the housing adjacent to the vertical surface such that the receptacle is accessible when in the extended position.