Travel ashtray

Abstract

A travel ashtray and a method for disposing of ash and butts of a cigar. The travel ashtray includes a cylindrical housing having an open top and an open bottom. A top lid is mounted to the housing and covers the open top. A bottom lid is mounted to the housing to cover the open bottom. Both the top and bottom lids can switch between an open state and a closed state. A dividing plate within the housing divides an inner volume of the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The dividing plate can be turned between an open state and a closed state. a cigar rest coupled to a top of the housing. A cigar rest is coupled to an inner of the housing in proximity to a periphery of the open top. The cigar rest can flip outside towards a side of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A travel ashtray comprising:
 a housing having an open top and an open bottom;   a top lid mounted to the housing and configured to cover the open top, the top lid is configured to switch between an open state and a closed state;   a bottom lid mounted to the housing and configured to cover the open bottom, the bottom lid is configured to switch between an open state and a closed state; and   a dividing plate mounted within the housing dividing an inner volume of the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, wherein the dividing plate is configured to turn between an open state and a closed state.   
     
     
         2 . The travel ashtray of  claim 1 , wherein the dividing plate is configured to be turned by a knob positioned outside the housing and configured to be turned by a hand of a user. 
     
     
         3 . The travel ashtray of  claim 2 , wherein the open top and an upper portion of a side wall of the housing form the upper compartment, and the open bottom and a lower portion of the side wall form the lower compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The travel ashtray of  claim 3 , wherein the travel ashtray further comprises a rotation lock configured to keep the dividing plate in the closed state, wherein force has to be applied to the knob for turning the dividing plate from the closed state to the open state. 
     
     
         5 . The travel ashtray of  claim 2 , wherein the travel ashtray further comprises a cigar rest coupled to a top of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The travel ashtray of  claim 5 , wherein the cigar rest is coupled to an inner of the housing in proximity to a periphery of the open top, wherein the cigar rest is pivotally mounted and configured to flip outside towards a side of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . A method for disposing of ash and butts of a cigar, the method comprising:
 providing a travel ashtray comprising:
 a housing having an open top and an open bottom, 
 a top lid mounted to the housing and configured to cover the open top, the top lid is configured to switch between an open state and a closed state, 
 a bottom lid mounted to the housing and configured to cover the open bottom, the bottom lid is configured to switch between an open state and a closed state; and 
 a dividing plate mounted within the housing dividing an inner volume of the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, wherein the dividing plate is configured to turn between an open state and a closed state; 
   switching the top lid to the open state by swiveling outwards the top lid;   dropping the ash of the cigar in the upper compartment; and   upon collecting the ash in the upper compartment, turning the dividing plate to the open state for collecting the ash in the lower compartment.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the dividing plate is configured to be turned by a knob positioned outside the housing and configured to be turned by a hand of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the open top and an upper portion of a side wall of housing form the upper compartment, and the open bottom and a lower portion of the side wall form the lower compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the travel ashtray further comprises a rotation lock configured to keep the dividing plate in the closed state, wherein force has to be applied to the knob for turning the dividing plate from the closed state to the open state. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the travel ashtray further comprises a cigar rest coupled to a top of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cigar rest is coupled to an inner of the housing in proximity to a periphery of the open top, wherein the cigar rest is pivotally mounted and configured to flip outside towards a side of the housing, wherein the method further comprises:
 pivoting outwards the cigar rest to a side of the housing; and   placing the cigar on the cigar rest.