EP0700643A1

EP0700643A1 - Improved ashtray

Info

Publication number: EP0700643A1
Application number: EP95500109A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sergio Goimbault Camillo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-10
Filing date: 1995-07-25
Publication date: 1996-03-13
Also published as: ES1028795Y; ES1028795U; CA2155708A1

Abstract

An ashtray (1), designed to constitute a complement of a packet or pack of cigarettes (2), said ashtray being configured by a pliable receiver formed by a laminar body (1), made of cardboard o similar, dimensionably next to one of the largest walls of the packet (2),the mouth of which is extended by an ample flap (14), which, on a side, is connected between the packet (2) and its sheath (21), to fix the ashtray to the packet, and on the other side, is able to tip on the ashtray mouth, to close it, its closing position being stabilized by means of an adhesive (17) helped by a protector (18).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved ashtray, of the kind of those used for depositing ash and stubs in it, and which is able to be incorporated in the own packet of cigarettes.

RELATED ART

At the present time, different types of ashtrays are known, which are generally composed of a rigid container having a variable shape, some of them incorporating features which allow them to perform additional functions, such as, for example, the conventional ashtrays composed of an open container; water ashtrays including a container having a receptacle containing water inside for putting out cigarettes, and fitted with an extractable cover with an orifice; floor ashtrays to be mainly placed on walkways and waiting rooms; ashtrays with a tilting cover allowing the stubs and ashes to be deposited inside, concealing them, and so on.
All these ashtrays are designed to rest on a table, on a corridor floor, a counter or any other place, and consequently they must keep astanding position which is, practically static, and are to be cleaned to be used again.
Therefore, it is clear that these ashtrays are not be conceived to be carried by the own smoker in a permanent way and be used in every moment. On the other side, it is usual that there are no ashtrays outdoors, so that a smoker, having no ashtray within his/her reach, he/she throws the stub and the ash on the floor, or he/she deposits them in an empty packet of cigarettes, or within a hollow drink can or any other element available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve these problems, the improved ashtray of the invention has been devised, which includes a pliable small case- or a pouch-shaped receiver, fitted with a tippable flap conforming positioning means thereof on the packed of cigarettes, or means for closing the receiver, depending, respectively, on the fact that said flap folds towards the back side of the receiver, or towards the front side thereof, over the mouth.
This ashtray, being pliable, can assume a flat shape of a reduced thickness, and having dimensions slightly lower than those of the largest surfaces of the packet of cigarettes, which allows the smoker to carry the ashtray incorporated in the packet of cigarettes or even inside the outer wrapping thereof, using it when necessary.
Another advantage of this ashtray is that its cost is very reduced, this being the reason for which it can be thrown out together with its contents in a litter bin or similar, so eliminating the problem of cleaning it.
To prevent the receiver flap to open once the ashtray has been used so pouring out its content, it has been devised that the flap or the receiver surface on which the flap falls to open it, define an adhesive area covered by a protecting sheet which keeps the flap in a close position.
The receptable of the ashtray is preferably composed of a laminar element, having a heat resistance enough to allow the cigarettes bo be put out on the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement this description and aid to a better understanding of the features of the invention, the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification, show in an illustrative but non limitative sense, the following:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the improved ashtray semi-folded, with the flap folded towards the rear side.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the ashtray in an unfolfolded position, with the flap folded towards the front side, so closing the receiver.
Figure 3 is a view of the ashtray fixed, by means of the flap, on the packet of cigarettes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As can be seen from the figures, the improved ashtray has a receiver (1), shaped starting from a laminar element, preferably made of cardboard, defining an upper mouth (11) and folding lines (12), shown by means of dotted lines, allowing the largest surfaces of the receiver (1) to be incorporate, in order that the receiver assumes a flat shape, its volume being reduced until its use, this being the moment when it will unfold.
The back side (13) of the receiver is extended by the end delimiting the mouth (11) by a flap (14) having two folding lines (15) and (16), which are parallel.
The flap (14) can fall on the folding line (15) towards the rear side or towards the front side of the receiver (1), shaping in the first case positioning means of the ashtray on a packet (2) of cigarettes, the flap being inserted between the packet (2) and the outer wrapping (21) thereof (Fig. 3), and in the second case, closing means for the receiver mouth (11).
When the flap (14) folds towards the front side of the receiver, the folding line (16) allows said flap to fit tight the - mouth (11), so closing it.
To assure the closing of the ashtray once it has been utilized, the flap (14) has, in the side contacting the front surface of the receiver (1), an adhesive area (17), covered by a protecting strip (18), which is to be removed before closing the ashtray.
It is not considered necessary tc extend more this description for an expert in the art to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it.
The terms under which this specification has been described - should be always taken in an ample and non limitative sense.
The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the components are open to variation, provided that it does not imply any alteration to the essence of the invention, which are claimed as follows.

Claims

1.- An improved ashtray of the kind as used for depositing ash and stubs of cigarettes, characterized in that it defines a foldable receiver, fitted with a mouth and shaped starting from a laminar element, one of the sides of the receptable, at the end coincidental with the mouth, extending by a tipping flap configuring, depending on the tipping sense of same, positioning means for the ashtray on a packet of cigarettes, or closing means for the receiver.

2.- An ashtray, as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the tipping flap and/or the side of the receiver on which the flap falls to close the ashtray, configure an adhesive area, which assure the bonding of same.

3.- An ashtray, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive area of the receiver and/or the tipping flap are covered by a removable protecting strip.