Ash tray for use with disposable ash collection vessel

Abstract

An ash tray for use with disposable ash collection vessels that receive and collect cigarette and/or cigar ashes and butts. The vessels may be inserted and removed from the ash tray to provide for ash and butt collection and disposal. In an exemplary embodiment, the vessels comprise previously used beverage cans that might otherwise be disposed of in land fills or thrown on the ground as litter. The ash tray comprises a lid that securely engages a base thereof to substantially prevent the escape of smoke therefrom. The ash tray further comprises multiple tapered funnels with flanges that extend into the vessels to direct ashes and butts into the vessels and to significantly block the escape of smoke therefrom. The ash tray still further comprises multiple slots for receiving advertising panels that advertise the goods and/or services of vendors, making the ash tray particularly suitable for use in commercial establishments.

1 . An apparatus for receiving and collecting ashes from a cigarette or cigar, said apparatus comprising:
 a body defining a cavity therein for receiving a disposable ash collection vessel, said body further defining a passageway for enabling the passage of ashes from a cigarette or cigar therethrough and for directing said ashes into said disposable ash collection vessel; and   a member disposed within said cavity for positioning said disposable ash collection vessel in a position relative to said passageway appropriate for said disposable ash collection vessel to receive said ashes from said passageway.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said member is adapted to receive said disposable ash collection vessel and to allow said disposable ash collection vessel to be subsequently removed therefrom. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said member is adapted to receive said disposable ash collection vessel and to enable replacement of said disposable ash collection vessel with a different disposable ash collection vessel. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said passageway is configured to extend into said disposable ash collection vessel. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said disposable ash collection vessel comprises a beverage can. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises an indicator for aiding in the appropriate orientation of said disposable ash collection vessel relative to said passageway for said disposable ash collection vessel to receive said ashes from said passageway. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for receiving and collecting ashes from a cigarette or cigar, said apparatus comprising:
 a first portion defining a cavity for receiving therein at least a substantial portion of a previously opened beverage can having a substantially cylindrical shape, a void therein, and a top defining an opening therein enabling access to said void, said first portion comprising a curb protruding into said cavity and formed to cooperatively receive and hold said previously opened beverage can in a substantially vertically upright orientation with said top residing in a substantially horizontal plane; and   a second portion movable relative to said first portion and having a wall defining a recess for receiving ashes from a cigarette or cigar and further defining a channel extending through said wall from said recess, said second portion having a tube depending from said wall in communication with said channel, said tube being adapted to extend through said opening in said top of said previously opened beverage can and into said previously opened beverage can;   wherein said channel and said tube are configured to enable said ashes to pass through said channel and subsequently through said tube into said void of said previously opened beverage can.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said tube is adapted to extend into said void of said previously opened beverage can to a distance of between 0.25 inch and 1.0 inch as measured from an internal surface of said top. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein first portion further comprises an alignment aid proximate said curb for aiding in the orientation of said opening of said previously opened beverage can for receipt of said tube. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said curb is configured to allow rotation of said previously opened beverage can while within said curb for alignment of said opening with said alignment aid. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said first portion further comprises a wall, and wherein said wall of said second portion is configured to cooperatively mate with said wall of said first portion. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for receiving and collecting ashes from a cigarette or cigar, said apparatus comprising:
 a base for receiving an ash collection vessel; and   a lid adapted to cooperatively engage said base, said lid having a funnel depending therefrom for directing ashes into an ash collection vessel.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said funnel is adapted to extend into an opening of an ash collection vessel received by said base. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said funnel has a tapered wall configured to aid in orienting an ash collection vessel received by said base relative to said lid. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said funnel has a flange extending therefrom for engaging a top of an ash collection vessel received by said base. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said lid and said base are further adapted to define a cavity in conjunction with said base when said lid is engaged to said base, said lid and said base being further adapted to substantially prevent the escape of smoke from within said cavity when said lid is engaged to said base; 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said funnel has a flange extending therefrom, and wherein said funnel and said flange cooperate to substantially occlude an opening in an ash collection vessel received by said base when said lid is engaged to said base. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said base has a retaining member for receiving an advertising panel in an orientation visible external to said base. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said base has an indicator to aid in orienting an ash collection vessel received by said base relative to said lid. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the ash collection vessel comprises a disposable vessel having a void therein.