System and method for snuffing a live ember

Abstract

A snuffer device for extinguishing live embers comprises a clip and a heat-resistant tube coupled to the clip. The tube includes a closed bottom, an open top, and at least one wall. The clip is U-shaped with spring-biased first and second sides, where the first side includes a face with a slide cutout allowing the tube to pivot for a lower profile. The tube extends from the clip at an angle between 35° and 45° and has a diameter between 6-12 mm and length between 1.5-4 cm. The closed bottom of the tube is removable and aligns flush with the clip face. The clip may be plastic while the tube is metal, both being dishwasher-safe materials. The invention also includes an ashtray with a detachable snuffer and a method of manufacturing the snuffer by coupling the tube to the clip at the specified angle.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A snuffer for putting out a live ember, the snuffer comprising:
 a clip;   a tube coupled to the clip, the tube having a heat-resistant closed bottom, an open top and at least one wall.   
     
     
         2 . The snuffer of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is a u-shaped clip having a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the first side is spring biased to contact the second side. 
     
     
         3 . The snuffer of  claim 2 , wherein the first side has a face with a slide cutout, wherein the tube pivots to fit within the slide cutout such that the snuffer may be selectively pivoted to have a lower profile. 
     
     
         4 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the clip has a face and wherein the closed end of the tube is substantially flush with the face of the clip. 
     
     
         5 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the tube is pivotally coupled to the clip. 
     
     
         6 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the tube is detachably coupled to the clip. 
     
     
         7 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the clip is a plastic and the tube is a metal. 
     
     
         8 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the closed bottom is removeable. 
     
     
         9 . The snuffer of  claim 1 , wherein the clip and the tube are made from dishwasher safe materials. 
     
     
         10 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the tube extends from the clip at an angle between 35° and 45°. 
     
     
         11 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the tube has a diameter between 6 mm and 12 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the tube has a length between 1.5 cm and 4 cm. 
     
     
         13 . The snuffer of  claim 1  wherein the clip has a wall and wherein the tube is coupled to the clip such that the wall is the bottom of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . A snuffer tray comprising:
 a bowl having a side wall;   a snuffer detachably coupled to the bowl, wherein the snuffer has a tube that at an angle between 35° and 45°.   
     
     
         15 . The ashtray of  claim 10  wherein the snuffer is a clip configured to attach to the side wall. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a snuffer, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a clip having a wall;   coupling a tube to the clip such that the wall is the bottom of the clip, wherein the tube has an axis and the wall is at an angle between 35° and 45° relative to the axis.