Ashtray with depressible resilient central section

Abstract

An ashtray having an ash collecting container and a lid therefore having a central aperture. A vertically extending depressible central member is positioned in the container so as to have a peripheral outer seating surface normally biased into sealing engagement within the aperture of the lid. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to ashtrays and in particular to ashtrays having an ash collecting container and a lid positioned at the upper end thereof within which a central depressible resilient section is mounted to form a mating seal with the lid. It has been known heretofore to provide ashtrays in which the central portion is depressible and is biased so as to automatically reseat itself upon removal of the depressing force. However, such ashtrays have been relatively complicated in construction and, therefore, comparatively expensive to fabricate. In order to reduce manufacturing costs so that they may be marketed at competitive prices they have frequently been manufactured with a low quality material. Consequently, such ashtrays wear out rapidly and are not resistant to corrosion due to the character of the materials employed. Since ashtrays of this type are frequently washed it would be desirable to employ materials which are corrosion-resistant; however, since such materials are expensive their use is generally precluded. Further, because the materials used have generally been of an inferior quality and/or possess relatively low strength, portions of the ashtray became easily deformed such that in use the central depressible section no longer engages sealingly with the mating portion of the ashtray. Adding to the complexity of construction it was conventional to position the central depressible section of the ashtray within the frame so as to be rotatable when depressed so as to cause the ashes to empty into the collecting chamber or container, by centrifugal action. This further added to the complexity and mechanical disadvantages of the known devices. An object of this invention is to provide an ashtray which can be fabricated easily and which can be marketed at a relatively low price. Another object of this invention is to provide an ashtray having a central depressible section which is self-seating. Another object of this invention is to provide an ashtray of the character described which permits depression of the central depressible section without requiring rotation thereof. Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an ashtray which can be fabricated easily and at low cost but which is still sturdy in construction and which will exhibit great operational longevity such that it can be employed in areas where it will be subject to heavy use such as in restaurants, factories, reception rooms and recreational areas. It is a further object of this invention to provide an ashtray which will reduce the possibility of air pollution by unextinguished cigars and cigarettes deposited in the container and also the risk of fire from glowing embers or sparks which may be emitted by such cigars and cigarettes. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing description of the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an ash collecting container having a lid through which is formed a central aperture. Vertically extending through the aperture is a depressible member having a peripherally extending outer seating surface adapted into sealing engagement with the lid. An upper portion of the depressible member projecting upwardly through the lid aperture while the seating surface is angularly inclined relative to the cooperable engaging surface of the lid. Means for normally biasing the depressible member upwardly into sealing engagement with the lid is also provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.