GB2301762A

GB2301762A - Device for collection of ash.

Info

Publication number: GB2301762A
Application number: GB9611221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Bryan Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-31
Filing date: 1996-05-30
Publication date: 1996-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-30
Also published as: GB9611221D0; GB2301762B; GB9510921D0

Abstract

The ashtray device comprises a housing 4 in which a perforate receptacle 6 is housed. A vacuum suction device 8 is arranged to withdraw air and consequently airborne ash from the receptacle 6 and deliver it to a collection position from which it may be removed from time to time. The provision of the vacuum suction device aids collection of ash by the ashtray and minimises the amount of airborne ash produced when ash is directed into the receptacle. Furthermore, once the ash has passed to the collection position, the smell of the ash tends not to pass out of the device and into the atmosphere.

Description

DEVICE FOR COLLECTION OF ASK This invention relates to a device for collection of ash and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to an ashtray for collection of ash from smoked tobacco, for example from cigarettes or cigars.

There are many known types of ashtrays. One known type may simply comprises a shallow receptacle, for example a shallow bowl into which ash can be directed from a burning cigarette or cigar. Another known type may include a receptacle closed by an openable cover. Ash is directed from a cigarette or cigar onto the openable cover and then the cover is opened in order to tip or otherwise direct the ash into the interior of the receptacle.

Vehicles generally incorporate an ashtray in the form of a receptacle arranged in a housing, the receptacle being movable relative to the housing, for example by being pivotable or slidable, into an open position where ash can be directed into the receptacle.

One problem associated with known ashtrays is that all ash directed into the receptacle of the ashtray does not always settle in the receptacle; some may become airborne and, therefore, contaminate the atmosphere around the ashtray. Another problem is that, once ash is in the receptacle of an ashtray it tends to smell which again leads to an unpleasant atmosphere around the ashtray and in the room in which the ashtray is disposed.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with known devices for collection of ash, for example ashtrays.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for collection of ash comprising a first region for receiving ash and an air flow generation means for generating an air flow for removing ash from said first region.

Said air flow generation means preferably comprises a suction means, for example a vacuum suction means, for removing ash from said first region.

Said first region for receiving ash preferably includes a perforate member through which ash may pass under the control of said air flow generation means. Said first region is preferably a part, for example, a wall of a receptacle for receiving ash. Said receptacle is preferably arranged to be upwardly open.

Highlighter means is preferably provided for highlighting said first region thereby to direct a user to direct ash into said first region. Said highlighter means preferably comprises a light which is preferably arranged to direct light through perforations in said first region, when provided.

The air flow generation means is preferably arranged to deliver ash to a first collection means. Said first collection means is preferably arranged to be emptied, for example it may be detachable from other parts of the device.

The device preferably includes a smokable item, for example a cigarette or cigar, accommodation means for accommodating a smokable item. Said accommodation means preferably comprises a receptacle for receiving a smokable item. Said receptacle is preferably operable to deliver a spent smokable item to a collection means which may comprise said first collection means or a second collection means, separate from said first collection means.

The device may including cutting means for cutting a spent smokable item into pieces. The cutting means may comprise a blade. The blade may be motorised. The cutting means may be located in the receptacle. The cutting means may be caused to operate when the receptacle is operated to deliver a spent smokable item to the collection means.

One or each of the first and second collection means may comprise an indicator to indicate when the material in one or each of the first and second collection means has reached a predetermined level. The or each indicator may comprise an indicator light.

Said first region may be movable between operative and inoperative positions. When in an operative position the device is preferably arranged for operation, suitably automatically, of said air flow generation means and, optionally, when provided, said highlighter means. Said first region and preferably also downstream parts of the device are preferably mounted in a housing, with said first region being movable from and into the housing to define its operative and inoperative positions. The first region may be slidably movable from and into the housing.

The sliding movement may be accomplished by means of at least one glider. The or each glider may comprise at least one wheel, which may engage at least one rail.

The device may include a sensor, which sensor may be arranged to detect the presence of carbon monoxide. The sensor may be arranged to activate or deactive the air flow generation means. The sensor may be arranged to activate the air flow generation means when a predetermined level of carbon monoxide is detected. The sensor may be arranged to stop an engine of a vehicle in which the device is housed when the sensor detects a predetermined level of carbon monoxide. The sensor may be arranged to restrict a supply of fuel to the vehicle, in order to stop the engine.

The invention extends to a method of removing ash from a first region which receives ash, the method comprising generating an air flow to remove ash from said first region.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view showing parts of an ashtray device; Figure 2 is a cross-section along line II-II in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross-section along line III-III in Figure 1 but showing additional parts of the device.

The ashtray device comprises a housing 4 in which a perforate receptacle 6 is housed. A vacuum suction device 8 (Figure 3) is arranged to withdraw air and consequently airborne ash from the receptacle 6 and deliver it to a collection position from which it may be removed from time to time. The provision of the vacuum suction device aids collection of ash by the ashtray and minimises the amount of airborne ash produced when ash is directed into the receptacle. Furthermore, once the ash has passed to the collection position, the smell of the ash tends not to pass out of the device and into the atmosphere.

The device is described in greater detail below.

The receptacle 6 which is upwardly open is suitably made from metal and provided with perforations 10. The receptacle 6 is fixed within the housing 4 which is suitably made from a plastics material. Directly below the receptacle 6, the housing defines a hollow region 12 which communicates via piping 14 with the vacuum suction device 8. Two one-way valves may be provided at opposite ends of the piping 14, the valves being arranged to be opened, in use, by the vacuum suction device. The valves may prevent egress of ash from the piping or collection position when the vacuum suction device is switched off.

A light 15 is positioned below the receptacle and arranged so that light is visible to the outside via the perforations. This aids the directing of ash into the receptacle.

A holding/disposal outlet in the form of an elongate upwardly extending receptacle 16 is provided towards one edge of the housing. The receptacle 16 is arranged to hold cigarettes/cigars being smoked. The receptacle 16 includes a lower wall 18 which is pivotable about a hinge 20 from a closed position in which it defines a lower wall of the receptacle, and an open position (shown in dashed lines in Figure 2) wherein the receptacle is downwardly open. In this event, spent cigarettes/cigars can be pushed through the receptacle and into the housing.

Pivotal movement of the lower wall 18 is controlled using a user-operable button 22. When spent citagrettes/cigars are pushed through the receptacle they may be cut in to pieces by a motorised blade (not shown). The blade may be housed at the base of the receptacle, or in the housing at the point where the receptacle opens downwardly into the housing. The blade may be actuated when the user-operable button 22 is pressed.

The housing may include an indicator light to indicate when the material in the collection position has reached a predetermined leveal and may be in need of being emptied.

The ashtray device also includes a control device 24 for controlling operation of the suction device 8 for example the suction force applied thereby.

The ashtray device may be itself be movable in a housing between an operative position in which it extends from the housing and an inoperative position in which it is stored within the housing. The movement of the device in and out of the housing may be accomplished with use of gliders to provide a smooth movement. This arrangement may be of particular utility where the ashtray device is provided in a vehicle. In use, a user may use an operating member (not shown) to cause the ashtray device to move towards its operative position. As the device moves towards its operative position a microswitch causes power to be supplied to the suction device 18 and the light 15. Thus, the light directs the input of ash into the receptacle and the suction device removes the ash therefrom and delivers it to the collection device.

The device may include a carbon monoxide sensor, which sensor may be arranged to activate the suction device when a predetermined leval of carbon monoxide is detected. An excess of carbon monoxide would thereby be reduced by drawing the carbon monoxide away from the device.

When the device is used in a vehicle the carbon monoxide sensor may also be arranged to curtail the supply of fuel to the engine's vehicle when the sensor detects a predetermined level of carbon monoxide.

In addition to use in vehicles, an ashtray device as described may comprise a free standing unit for use in houses, restaurants etc, or may be incorporated into, for example, desks or chairs.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIM8

1. A device for collection of ash comprising a first region for receiving ash and an air flow generation means for generating an air flow for removing ash from said first region.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said air flow generation means comprises a suction means for removing ash from said first region.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first region for receiving ash includes a perforate member through which ash may pass under the control of said air flow generation means.

4 A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first region is a part of a receptacle for receiving ash.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, including highlighter means for highlighting said first region thereby to direct a user to direct ash into said region.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said highlighter means comprises a light which is arranged to direct light through perforations in said first region.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said air flow generation means is arranged to deliver ash to a first collection means.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said first collection means is arranged to be emptied.

9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which an indicator indicates when the material in the collection means has reached a predetermined level.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, including a smokable item accommodation means for accommodating a smokable item.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said accommodation means comprises a receptacle for receiving a smokable item.

12. A device according to any preceding claim including cutting means for cutting a spent smokable item into pieces.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first region is moveable between operative and inoperative positions.

14. A device according to claim 13, in which said first region is movable between operative and inoperative positions by means of at least one glider.

15. A device according to any preceding claim which includes a sensor, which sensor is arranged to activate the suction means when said sensor detects a predetermined level of carbon monoxide.

16. A device according to any preceding claim which includes a sensor, which sensor is arranged to stop an engine of a vehicle to which the device is fitted when said sensor detects a predetermined level of carbon monoxide.

17. A method of removing ash from a first region which receives ash, the method comprising generating an air flow to remove ash from said first region.

18. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

19. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.