Receptacle for spent smoking material

Abstract

A receptacle for spent smoking material has a modular construction and can include a base, a lid, a neck, and a head. The base and the lid define a chamber for containing the spent smoking material. The lid can be removably connected to the base through the rotative engagement of corresponding lugs on the base and the lid. The neck can be assembled to the lid using a one-way connector mechanism. The head can be assembled to the neck using a one-way connector mechanism. The head portion has an orifice therein for receiving spent smoking materials, which can be directed through the neck to the chamber. A bucket can be provided in the chamber to receive the spent smoking materials.

1 . A modular receptacle for spent smoking material comprising:
 a base;   a lid adapted for removable connection to the base, the base and the lid defining a chamber for containing smoking material when the base and the lid are connected together;   a neck adapted for one-way connection with the lid;   and a head adapted for one-way connection with the neck;   wherein the base includes a lug and the lid includes a corresponding lug, the lug of the base adapted to be disposed in engaging relationship with the lug of the lid.   
     
     
         2 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein a top end of the base and a bottom end of the lid substantially overlap to form a lap joint when the base and the lid are connected together. 
     
     
         3 . The modular receptacle of  claim 2  wherein a top diameter of the base is greater than a bottom diameter of the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the neck further comprises a front portion which is substantially semicircular in shape and a back portion which is semicircular in shape, the front portion of the neck connecting to the back portion of the neck using a friction-fit connection. 
     
     
         5 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein a bottom end of the neck is adapted to connect to a top end of the lid. 
     
     
         6 . The modular receptacle of  claim 5  wherein a bottom diameter of the neck is less than a top diameter of the lid. 
     
     
         7 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein a bottom end of the neck and a top end of the lid are adapted to connect to each other via a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         8 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the head further comprises a top piece and a bottom piece, and the top piece of the head is adapted to connect to the bottom piece of the head via a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         9 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the head includes an orifice and a snuff plate associated with the orifice. 
     
     
         10 . The modular receptacle of  claim 1  wherein a top end of the neck is adapted to connect to a bottom end of the head via a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         11 . The receptacle of  claim 10  wherein a top diameter of the neck is greater than a bottom diameter of the head. 
     
     
         12 . A method for assembling a modular receptacle for spent smoking material comprising:
 connecting a top end of the base to a bottom end of the lid by placing the bottom end of the lid upon the top end of the base with a connecting member of the lid in offset relationship with a connecting member of the base and rotating the lid relative to the base in an engaging direction to place the connecting member of the base and the connecting member of the lid in retentive engagement with each other;   connecting a top end of the lid to a bottom end of the neck using a one-way connection mechanism; and   connecting a top end of the neck to a bottom end of the head using a one-way connection mechanism.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 connecting a front portion of the neck to a back portion of the neck using a friction-fit connection. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 connecting a top portion of the head to a bottom portion of the head using a snap-fit connection.