Segmented Travel Ashtray for Compact, High-Capacity Ash Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing travel ashtrays lack portability, compactness, and sufficient capacity, making them inconvenient for smokers on the go.

Innovation Solution

A compact, portable travel ashtray with a housing that divides into upper and lower compartments, a top and bottom lid, and a pivotable cigar rest, allowing for easy ash disposal and cigar storage, designed to fit into cup holders and be used on decks or campsites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a travel ashtray is designed to be compact and portable, then it can fit into cup holders and be easily carried, but its capacity for ash collection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidash collection capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ashtray is divided into an upper compartment for active ash collection and a lower compartment for storage, allowing the compact unit to provide both immediate ash disposal and additional capacity for multiple cigars

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the ashtray has a high capacity for ash collection, then it can accommodate multiple cigars, but its size increases and it becomes less portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveash collection capacityVSAvoidashtray size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dividing plate and cigar rest are nested within the housing structure, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy the same space without increasing the overall external dimensions of the ashtray

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the ashtray includes additional features like a cigar rest and dividing plate, then its functionality is improved, but its structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cigar rest is integrated into the housing structure and can be pivoted into position, combining the ash collection function with cigar support in a single unified structure rather than separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dividing plate and cigar rest are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned as needed and reducing the need for multiple separate components for different functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250302093A1Travel ashtray

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 FAISON TODD E

AI summary

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.