WO1999048390A1

WO1999048390A1 - Cigar cutter

Info

Publication number: WO1999048390A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/006813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anton Heldmann; Alan Kowal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-27
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 1999-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2000-09-27
Also published as: GB2351003A; AU3119099A; GB2351003B; GB0023195D0

Abstract

An axially movable plunger (16) is fitted within the cylindrical cutting head (14) of a plug-type cigar cutter (10). The plunger (16) is provided with a stop mechanism which causes it to come to a rest in a position in which the plunger (16) protrudes to, and preferably partially beyond, the cutting edge (22) of the cutter head (14). In this manner, the cutting edge (22) is protected against damage and the user is protected against injury from the cutting edge (22). In order to utilize the cutter (10), the plunger (16) is drawn inwardly, behind the cutting edge, and a plug is cut from the cigar by forcing the cutting head (14) into the sealed end of the cigar. The plunger (16) is then urged forward, expelling the plug, until it comes to rest in its stopped position. The cigar cutter (10) may then be stored safely.

Description

CIGAR CUTTER

Field of The Invention

The present invention relates generally to implements which prepare cigars for smoking and, more particularly, concerns a cigar cutter for opening the, sealed end of a cigar.

Background of the Invention

Fine quality cigars are manufactured with only one cut end, which is the end that the smoker lights. The opposite end, is normally sealed, and this helps to preserve freshness. However, before the cigar can be smoked, the sealed end must be cut or pierced, to permit the smoker to draw smoke through the cigar.

Opening the sealed end of the cigar is somewhat problematic. One of the most common ways to achieve this is to simply cut off the sealed end. However, this permits pieces of loose tobacco to be released onto the smoker's tongue. Also, it is not uncommon for cutting the end of the cigar to destroy its integrity, with the result that the tobacco leaf unravels at the cut end, after it becomes wet. Piercing the closed end of the cigar avoids these problems. However, after the end of the cigar becomes wet, punctured openings close up, and the cigar becomes difficult to draw. One type of cigar cutter which avoids the foregoing problems is in the form of a small cylinder with a sharpened edge. The cylinder is substantially smaller in diameter than the diameter of the cigar. This cutter is utilized to cut a cylindrical plug from the closed end of the cigar, thereby providing an opening which allows a comfortable draw by the smoker. At the same time, the plug is sufficiently large in diameter to prevent clogging when the cigar becomes wet, and it is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the cigar to prevent the cigar from unraveling. Also, since a plug is removed, no loose tobacco comes into contact with the smoker's tongue. However, plug-type cigar cutters have a number of disadvantages which make them difficult or inconvenient to use. First of all, after a plug is cut out of the end of the cigar, it tends to wedge inside the cutter, and it often requires substantial effort for the smoker to remove it. Secondly, some form of protective cover is usually required for the cutting edge, in order to prevent it from becoming damaged and to keep it from accidentally injuring the operator. Removing and replacing such a cover is an inconvenience, and it often becomes lost.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plug- type cigar cutter which avoids the disadvantages of existing cutters of this type. It is specifically contemplated that the cutter should not be provided with a protective, removable cover for the cutting edge, yet the cutting edge should be protected from damage and injury to a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a plug-type cigar cutter from which a cigar plug may be removed relatively easily.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a plug-type cigar cutter which is convenient and reliable in use, yet relatively inexpensive in construction.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, an axially movable plunger is fitted within the cylindrical cutting head of a plug-type cigar cutter. The plunger is provided with a stop mechanism which causes it to come to rest in a position in which the plunger protrudes, to, and preferably partially beyond, the cutting edge of the cutter head. In this manner, the cutting edge is protected against damage and the user is protected against injury from the cutting edge. In order to utilize the cutter, the plunger is drawn inwardly, behind the cutting edge, and the plug is cut from the cigar by forcing the cutter into the sealed end of the cigar. The plunger may then be urged forward, expelling the plug, until it once again comes to rest in its stopped position. The cigar cutter may then be stored safely. Brief Descriptions of the Drawings

The foregoing brief description, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be understood more completely from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment, with reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a cigar cutter embodying the present invention, shown in its storage position;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cigar cutter of Fig. 1 , showing the three major components; Figure 3 is a side view, in an enlarged scale, showing the cutting head of the cigar cutter of Fig. 1 ;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cigar cutter of Fig. 1 , showing the plunger in its retracted position, ready to remove a plug from the sealed end of the cigar; and Figure 5 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the cigar cutter in its stored position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Turning now to the details of the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view showing a cigar cutter 10 in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the same. The cigar 1 0 broadly comprises: a main body 1 2; a cutter head 1 4 which is pressed-fitted into the front of the main body; and a plunger assembly 1 6 which is mounted within the assembled main body and cutter head and slides axially therein. As will be explained more fully below, the cutter 10 is provided with a stop mechanism, which causes the plunger mechanism 1 6 to be retained in a stored position, illustrated in Fig. 1 . In this position, the plunger mechanism protects the cutting edge of the cutter head 1 4 against damage and also protects the user from being cut accidentally by the cutting edge. Main body 1 2 may be made of any decorative material, such as a metal, including a precious metal, a plastic material, or wood. In the preferred embodiment, the main body is a hollow cylinder made of aluminum, brass, sterling silver, or black anodized steel, and it is provided with knurled cylindrical sections 1 8a, 1 8b, 1 8c, and 1 8d. As best seen in Fig. 4, the body 1 2 is provided with an internal annular channel 1 2a for a reason to be described more completely below. A front portion of body 1 2 is formed with a somewhat larger diameter than the remainder of the body, thereby defining an annular seat 20. Cutter head 1 4 is preferably made of stainless steel so as to be able to maintain a keen cutting edge 22, while avoiding corrosion. The rear portion" 24 head 1 4 is preferably a reduced diameter, to define an annular seat 25. Preferably, the diameter of portion 24 is equal to a slightly larger than the diameter front portion 1 9 of body 1 2, in order to provide an interference fit, such as a press fit, which permits snap-fitting of the cutter head into the front of the main body 1 2. The rear of cutter head 1 4 is preferably provided with a beveled edge 26, to facilitate pressing of the cutter head into the front of the main body. As may be seen in Figs 4 and 5, the cutter head 14 comes to rest when the seat 25, contacts the front edge of the main body 1 2.

Plunger assembly 1 6 may also be made of any strong material, such as a metal, but is preferably made of steel or stainless steel. Plunger assembly 1 6 includes a shaft portion 30 dimensioned to fit and move freely within the main body 1 2 and the piston head 32 dimensioned to fit and move freely within cutter head 22. Piston head 32 includes an annular seat 34. Shaft portion 30 includes a through-bore 1 6a and a partial bore 1 6b. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, partial bore 1 6b is fitted with a ball bearing 36 on top of a spring 38. With the ball bearing 36 so inserted, the cutter is assembled by inserting shaft portion 32 into cutter assembly 1 4 from the front. The plunger assembly 1 6 is then urged backwards. When ball bearing 36 aligns with channel 1 2a in body 1 2, the user feels a pronounced click. Plunger assembly 1 6 is then "locked" with respect to body 1 2, in that substantial additional forces required to move the plunger passed this detented position. As best seen in Fig. 5, in the detented position, piston head 32 protrudes beyond the cutting edge 22, protecting the edge against damage and protecting the user against injury.

As best seen in Fig. 1 , once the cigar cutter 1 0 is assembled, a key ring 34, or the like may be inserted into bore 1 6a. This not only assures that cutter 1 0 will always be ready for use, but also guarantees that plunger assembly 1 6 will not be withdrawn accidentally from body 1 2.

As best seen in Fig. 4, when it is desired to use the cutter 1 0, the plunger assembly 1 6 is drawn backwards withdrawing the piston head 32 into the cutter head 1 4. When the seat 34 of piston head 32 engages seat 20 inside body 1 2, a sufficient amount of the cutter head is exposed to withdraw a plug of ideal thickness from a cigar. This guarantees that loose tobacco from the* cigar will not come in contact with the smoker's tongue. Cutting head 1 4 is then inserted into the sealed end of the cigar until it comes to a stop and is withdrawn, taking the cigar plug with it. Plunger assembly is then pushed forward to its detented position, ejecting the cigar plug and putting the cutter back into its stored condition.

From the foregoing description of the cigar cutter 10 and the manner of its use, it will be appreciated that the device has a stored condition in which the cutting edge is protected from damage and the user is protected from accidental injury. Furthermore, the cutting edge may be exploded for cutting a plug from a cigar with a minimum amount of handling and without the need to remove a protective cover. In addition, the movement of the plunger to reject the plug restores the device immediately to its stored position, again, with a minimum amount of handling.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additions, modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

What Is Claimed:

1 . A cigar cutter comprising a main body having a length and a hollow forward portion, a cutting head at the front of the forward portion including a cutting edge formed in a substantially closed contour, a plunger mounted within the forward portion for movement along the length of the main body to a position forward of the cutting edge, for expelling a plug of tobacco cut from a cigar.

2. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a stop mechanism constructed to stop the plunger in a position in which it protrudes at least to the most forward extreme of the cutting edge of the cutter head, whereby the cutting edge is protected against damage and the user is protected against injury from the cutting edge.

3. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 2 wherein the stop mechanism is constructed to stop the plunger in a position in which it protrudes beyond the cutting edge.

4. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 2 or 3 wherein the cutter head is detachably mounted to the forward portion.

5. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 4 wherein the cutter has a rear portion which is dimensioned to have an interference fit within the hollow forward portion.

6. The cigar cutter in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least the cutting edge of the cutting head is made of stainless steel.

7. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cutter head is detachably mounted to the forward portion.

8. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 7 wherein the cutter has a rear portion which is dimensioned to have an interference fit within the hollow forward portion.

9. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least the cutting edge of the cutting head is made of stainless steel.

1 0. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least the cutting edge of the cutting head is made of stainless steel.

1 1 . A cigar cutter in accordance with any one of claims 1 -3 or 5- 1 0, wherein the entire main body is hollow and the plunger is longer than the main body, whereby it may extend from either end thereof.

1 2. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 1 wherein the cutter head has a larger interior girth than the main body and the plunger has a forward portion of increased girth which is shorter in length than the cutter head.

1 3. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 4, wherein the entire main body is hollow and the plunger is longer than the main body, whereby it may extend from either end thereof.

14. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 3 wherein the cutter head has a larger interior girth than the main body and the plunger has a forward portion of increased girth which is shorter in length than the cutter head.

1 5. A cigar cutter in accordance with any one of claims 1 -3 or 5- 1 0, wherein the exterior surface of the main body is constructed to resistant to slippage while being held.

1 6. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 4, wherein the exterior surface of the main body is constructed to resistant to slippage while being held.

1 7. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the main body is constructed to resistant to slippage while being held.

1 8. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 2, wherein the exterior surface of the main body is constructed to resistant to slippage while being held.

1 9. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 3, wherein the exterior surface of the main body is constructed to resistant to slippage while being held.

20. A cigar cutter in accordance with claim 1 4, wherein the exterior surface of the main body is constructed to resistant to slippage while being held.