WO1999013742A1

WO1999013742A1 - Improved cigar cutter

Info

Publication number: WO1999013742A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/016591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Kemanjian
Original assignee: DAVIDOFF OF GENEVA (CT) Inc
Current assignee: DAVIDOFF OF GENEVA (CT) Inc
Priority date: 1997-09-17
Filing date: 1997-09-17
Publication date: 1999-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2000-03-17
Also published as: AU4646897A

Abstract

An improved cigar cutter (10) incorporating self-sharpening features is described. The cutter includes a hollow body (14) having a front surface (18), a back surface (22), first and second ends (46, 50), and an interior cavity (62). The body has a hole (66) through it extending from the front surface (54) to the back surface (58), and sized to permit a cigar to pass through it. The body also has first and second slits (70, 74) extending from the first and second ends (46, 74) into the interior cavity. A pair of planar cutting elements (26) each having a first and a second section (100, 104). The first section has a sharpened cutting edge (108) at one end, is of a first predetermined width and resides within the cavity (62). The second section (104) connects to the first section opposite the sharpened edge (108) is of a second, smaller width, and extends out of the cavity (62) through one of the slits (74), connecting to an activating means (154) or handle.

Description

IMPROVED CIGAR CUTTER

Technical Field This invention relates to the field of smoking implements; and more particularly to devices used for trimming the tip from cigars.

Background Art

In order to facilitate the lighting and smoking of cigars, it has long been found desirable to cut a small portion from the end of the cigar which is to be placed in the smoker's mouth, thereby permitting easier flow of air and eventually smoke, axially through the cigar into the smoker's mouth.

Various devices have been employed to cut the tips from cigars. These devices include pen knives, shears, and various bladed cutters. As it is desirable to have a smoothly cut cigar end to place in the mouth, efforts to trim cigar ends with pen knives and shears have been less than satisfactory.

The bladed-type cutters employed for trimming cigars include single and dual bladed "guillotine" devices, which, while effective and easy to use when new soon become dull and difficult to use. While other more sophisticated cutters have been devised, some of them have been complex in construction and operation as well as difficult and expensive to manufacture, thereby limiting their sales appeal.

Safety is also a concern for a cigar trimmer. As sharp blades are typically involved, it is important that the blades be retained in a safe position before and after use of the cutter and that provisions be made to prevent possible injury during use of the device. Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention is an improved cigar cutter which satisfies all of the identified desirable features in a small, attractive instrument which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. In its simplest form, the present invention comprises a hollow body having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front surface, a back surface and an interior cavity.

The body has a central hole through it extending from the front surface to the back surface. The hole is sized to permit a cigar to pass through it. A first slit extends from the first end to the interior cavity and a second slit extends from the second end to the interior cavity.

A first cutting element, having a first section and a second section, is provided. The first section has a sharpened end and the second section has an opposing end. The first section is disposed within the cavity, and the second section extends outwardly from the cavity through the first slit to an end. The sharpened end of the first cutting element has an planar first side and an planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge at the second side.

A first activating means is affixed to the end of the second section of the first cutting element and means are provided for preventing the first cutting element from being removed from the hollow body through the first slit.

A second cutting element, having a first section and a second section, is provided. The first section has a sharpened end and the second section has an opposing end. The first section is disposed within the cavity, and the second section extends outwardly from the cavity through the second slit to an end. The sharpened end of the second cutting element has an planar first side and an planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge at the second side. A second activating means is affixed to the end of the second section of the second cutting element and means are provided for preventing the second cutting element from being removed from the hollow body through the second slit.

The second side of the first cutting element is positioned to slide upon the second side of the second cutting element. Means are provided for biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to sharpen each other as they slide over each other.

When the first activating means and the second activating means are withdrawn outwardly away from the hollow body, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to be maximally displaced from each other, an opening is formed between the cutting elements. The opening is in register with the hole in the body and a cigar tip may be introduced through the hole and into the opening between the cutting elements. When the activating means are displaced inwardly toward the body, a tip of the cigar will be severed between the cutting elements.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the improved cigar cutter comprises a flat hollow body having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front surface, a back surface and an interior cavity.

The body has a central hole through it extending from the front surface to the back surface. The hole is sized to permit a cigar to pass through it. A first slit is provided extending from the first end to the interior cavity and a a second slit is provided extending from the second end to the interior cavity.

The body is formed of a front portion and an essentially identical back portion. The front portion including a first interior surface closest to the front surface and a second interior surface. The first interior surface is displaced from the second interior surface by a first predetermined distance. The back portion includes a first interior surface closest to the back surface and a second interior surface. The first interior surface is displaced from the second interior surface by the first predetermined distance.

A first planar cutting element, having a first section and a second section is provided. The first section has a sharpened end, a first predetermined width, and is disposed within the cavity, and extends away from the sharpened end to the second section. The second section has a second, smaller predetermined width and extends outwardly from the cavity through the first slit.

The first cutting element has a thickness slightly less than the first predetermined distance. The first section of the first cutting element has an planar first side and an planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge of the sharpened end at the second side.

A second planar cutting element, having a first section and a second section is provided. The first section has a sharpened end, a first predetermined width, and is disposed within the cavity, and extends away from the sharpened end to the second section. The second section has a second, smaller predetermined width and extends outwardly from the cavity through the second slit.

The second cutting element has a thickness slightly less than the first predetermined distance. The first section of the second cutting element has an planar first side and an planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge of the sharpened end at the second side.

The front portion of the body including a front portion of the cavity formed between the first interior surface and the second interior surface of the front portion of the body. The front portion of the cavity is sized to accommodate the first section of the first cutting element with the second section extending outwardly therefrom through the first slit.

The back portion of the body including a back portion of the cavity formed between the first interior surface and the second interior surface of the back portion of the body. The back portion of the cavity is sized to accommodate the first section of the second cutting element with the second section extending outwardly therefrom through the second slit.

The first slit is formed between the first interior surface of the front portion of the body and the second interior surface of the back portion of the body. The first slit is slightly greater in width than the second section of the first cutting element.

The second slit is formed between the first interior surface of the back portion of the body and the second interior surface of the front portion of the body. The second slit is slightly greater in width than the second section of the second cutting element. A first activating means is affixed to the end of the second section of the first cutting element and means are provided for preventing the first cutting element from being removed from the body through the first slit. A second activating means is affixed to the end of the second section of the second cutting element and means are provided for preventing the second cutting element from being removed from the body through the second slit. Means are provided for attaching the front portion of the body to the back portion of the body.

The second side of the first cutting element is positioned to slide upon the second side of the second cutting element. Means are provided for biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to shaφen each other as they slide over each other. When the first activating means and the second activating means are withdrawn outwardly away from the body, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to be maximally displaced from each other, an opening is formed between the cutting elements. The opening is in register with the hole in the body and a cigar tip may be introduced through the hole and into the opening between the cutting elements. When the activating means are displaced inwardly toward the body, a tip of the cigar will be severed between the cutting elements.

In a variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention the cutting edge of the first cutting element is curved and the cutting edge of the second cutting element is curved. In another variant the cutting edge of the first cutting element is elliptical in shape and the cutting edge of the second cutting element is also elliptical in shape.

In another variant of the invention the means for preventing the first and second cutting elements from being removed from the body through the first and second slits, respectively, further comprises a first shoulder and a second shoulder formed in the first cutting element and the second cutting element and a first shoulder receiving notch and a second shoulder receiving notch.

The shoulders transition the first predetermined width of the first section of the cutting element to the second, smaller, predetermined width of the cutting element. The first shoulder receiving notch and a second shoulder receiving notch are formed in the front portion of the body adjacent the first slit and formed in the back portion of the body adjacent the second slit. Each of the shoulder receiving notches engages each of the shoulders when each of the cutting elements is maximally withdrawn from the body, thereby preventing the first section of each of the cutting elements from being removed from the body. In a further variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention the means for biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element further comprises a first springing element, a second springing element, a first retaining channel and a second retaining channel.

The first retaining channel is formed in the first interior surface of the front portion of the body . The second retaining channel is formed in the first interior surface of the back portion of the body.

The first springing element is positioned in the first retaining channel and the second springing element is positioned in the second retaining channel. The first section of the first cutting element is positioned within the front portion of the cavity, thereby compressing the first springing element. The first section of the second cutting element is positioned within the back portion of the cavity, thereby compressing the second springing element. The front portion of the body is assembled to the back portion of the body, thereby enclosing the first and second cutting elements and first and second springing elements in the cavity. The first cutting element is positioned to slide upon the second cutting element with the first and second springing elements biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to shaφen each other as they are slide over each other.

In yet a further variant of the preferred embodiment the first and second springing elements further comprise a first curved leaf spring, a second curved leaf spring, and a connecting member. The first curved leaf spring and a second curved leaf spring each have a first end and a second end. The connecting member has a first end and a second end. The first leaf spring is attached at its first end at a right angle to the first end of the connecting member and the second leaf spring is attached at its first end at a right angle to the second end of the connecting member, thereby forming a C- shaped springing element. The connecting member serves to facilitate the assembly of the cigar cutter by making the springing element easier to handle. In a still further variant of the invention, the means for attaching the front portion of the body to the back portion of the body further comprises at least two holes penetrating the front portion of the body and positioned about a perimeter of the hole through the body for the introduction of a cigar, at least two holes penetrating the back portion of the body and being coaxial with the holes penetrating the front of the body and at least two hollow dowel pins being sized to extend through the front portion of the body and at least partially into the back portion of the body.

Each of the dowel pins have a head end resembling a machine screw, and a body end, and each have a threaded axial bore extending from the body end inwardly toward the head end. At least two machine screws sized to extend through the back portion of the body and partially into the axial bores of the dowel pins are provided. The dowel pins are inserted into the holes in the front portion of the body and the machine screws are inserted through the holes in the back portion of the body and threaded into the dowel pins, thereby attaching the front portion of the body to the back portion of the body.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and a more complete and comprehensive understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and studying the following description of the best mode of carrying out the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the activating means withdrawn from the body; Figure 2 is a plan view of front portion of the body showing the first and second interior surfaces; Figure 3 is a plan view of the front portion of the body showing the front surface; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the front portion of the body; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front portion of the body as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is plan view of the back portion of the body showing the first and second interior surfaces; Figure 7 is a plan view of the back portion of the body showing the back surface; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the back portion of the body;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the first cutting element; Figure 10 is a cross sectional side elevation of the first cutting element taken along the line 10-10; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the biasing means; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the front portion of the body as shown in

Figure 2 and the first cutting element as shown in Figure 9 with the biasing means of Figure 11 installed; and Figure 13 is an exploded, enlarged cross-sectional side view of the means for attaching the front portion of the body to the rear portion of the body.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Figure 1 illustrates the improved cigar cutter 10 which comprises a flat hollow body 14, including a front portion 18 and an essentially identical back portion 22, a first planar cutting element 26, a second planar cutting element 30, first and second springing elements (not shown), and means 34 for attaching the front portion 18 to the back portion 22. Details of the body 14 are illustrated in Figures 1-8. The body 14 includes a top 38, a bottom 42, a first end 46, a second end 50, a front surface 54, a back surface 58 and an interior cavity 62.

The body 14 has a central hole 66 through it extending from the front surface 54 to the back surface 58. The hole 66 is sized to permit a cigar to pass through it. A first slit 70 is provided extending from the first end 46 to the interior cavity 62 and a second slit 74 is provided extending from the second end 50 to the interior cavity 62.

The front portion 18 of the body 14 including a first interior surface 78 closest to the front surface 54 and a second interior surface 82. The first interior surface 78 is displaced from the second interior surface 82 by a first predetermined distance 86.

The back portion 22 includes a first interior surface 90 closest to the back surface 58 and a second interior surface 94. The first interior surface 90 is displaced from the second interior surface 94 by the first predetermined distance 86.

Figures 1, 9 and 10 illustrate the first planar cutting element 26, having a first section 100 and a second section 104. The first section 100 has a shaφened end 108, a first predetermined width 112, and is disposed within the cavity 62, and extends away from the shaφened end 108 to the second section 104. The second section 104 has a second, smaller predetermined width 116 and extends outwardly from the cavity 62 through the first slit 70. The first cutting element 26 has a thickness 120 slightly less than the first predetermined distance 86. The first section 100 of the first cutting element 26 has an planar first side 124 and an planar second side 128 with a beveled surface 132 extending from the first side 124 to the second side 128, thereby forming a cutting edge 134 of the shaφened end 108 at the second side 128. The second planar cutting element 30, shown in Figure 1, is substantially identical to the first cutting element 26. As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9, the front portion 18 of the body 14 includes a front portion 136 of the cavity 62 formed between the first interior surface 78 and the second interior surface 82 of the front portion 18 of the body 14. The front portion 136 of the cavity 62 is sized to accommodate the first section 100 of the first cutting element 26 with the second section 104 extending outwardly therefrom through the first slit 70.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 8, the back portion 22 of the body 14 including a back portion 140 of the cavity 62 formed between the first interior surface 90 and the second interior surface 94 of the back portion 22 of the body 14. The back portion 140 of the cavity 62 is sized to accommodate a first section 144 of the second cutting element 30 with a second section 150 extending outwardly therefrom through the second slit 74.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, the first slit 70 is formed between the first interior surface 78 of the front portion 18 of the body 14 and the second interior surface 94 of the back portion 22 of the body 14. The first slit 70 is slightly greater in width than the second section 116 of the first cutting element 26.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8, the second slit 74 is formed between the first interior surface 90 of the back portion 22 of the body 14 and the second interior surface 82 of the front portion 18 of the body 14. The second slit 74 is slightly greater in width than the second section 150 of the second cutting element 30.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 9, a first activating means 154 is affixed to the end 158 of the second section 104 of the first cutting element 26 and means 162 are provided for preventing the first cutting element 26 from being removed from the body 14 through the first slit 70. A second activating means 166 is affixed to the end 170 of the second section 150 of the second cutting element 30 and means (not shown) are provided for preventing the second cutting element 30 from being removed from the body 14 through the second slit 74. As shown in Figures 1 and 13, means 34 are provided for attaching the front portion 18 of the body 14 to the back portion 22 of the body 14.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 12, the second side 128 of the first cutting element 26 is positioned to slide upon the second side 182 of the second cutting element 30. Means 186 are provided for biasing the second side 128 of the first cutting element 26 against the second side 182 of the second cutting element 30, thereby causing the first cutting element 26 and the second cutting element 30 to shaφen each other as they slide over each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the cutting edge 134 of the first cutting element 26 defines a portion of an ellipse. The cutting edge 136 of the second cutting element 30 also defines a portion of an ellipse.

When the first activating means 154 and the second activating means 166 are withdrawn outwardly away from the body 14, thereby causing the first cutting element 26 and the second cutting element 30 to be maximally displaced from each other, an opening 186 is formed between the cutting elements 26, 30. The opening 186 is in register with the hole 66 in the body 14 and a cigar tip may be introduced through the hole 66 and into the opening 186 between the cutting elements 26, 30.

When the activating means 154, 166 are displaced inwardly toward the body 14, the tip of the cigar will be severed by the cutting elements 26, 30. As shown in Figure 1, the first activating means 154 and the second activating means 166 further comprise ring-shaped handles affixed to the ends 158 and 170 of the second sections 104 and 150 of the first cutting element 26 and the second cutting element 30, respectively. The ring- shaped handles are ornamental in nature and other shapes are possible.

As shown in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9, the means 162 and (not shown) for preventing the first and second cutting elements 26 and 30 from being removed from the body 14 through the first and second slits 70 and 74, respectively, further comprise a first shoulder 190 and a second shoulder 194 formed in the first cutting element 26 and the second cutting element 30 and a first shoulder receiving notch 200 and a second shoulder receiving notch 204 formed in the front portion 18 of the body 14 and the back portion 22 of the body 14.

The shoulders 190 and 194 transition the first predetermined width 112 of the first section 100 of the cutting element 26 and 30 to the second, smaller, predetermined width 116 of the cutting element 26 and 30. The first shoulder receiving notch 200 and a second shoulder receiving notch 204 are formed in the front portion 18 of the body 14 adjacent the first slit 70 and formed in the back portion 22 of the body 14 adjacent the second slit 74. Each of the shoulder receiving notches 200 and 204 engages each of the shoulders 190 and 194 when each of the cutting elements 26 and 30 is maximally withdrawn from the body 14, thereby preventing the first section 100 of each of the cutting elements 26 and 30 from being removed from the body 14.

As illustrated in Figures 2, 5, 6, 11 and 12, the means 186 for biasing the second side 128 of the first cutting element 26 against the second side 182 of the second cutting element 30 further comprises a first springing element 208, a second springing element 212, a first retaining channel 216 and a second retaining channel 220.

The first retaining channel 216 is formed in the first interior surface 78 of the front portion 136 of the body 14. The second retaining channel 220 is formed in the first interior surface 90 of the back portion 140 of the body 14. The first springing element 208 is positioned in the first retaining channel 216 and the second springing element 212 is positioned in the second retaining channel 220. The first section 100 of the first cutting element 26 is positioned within the front portion 136 of the cavity 62, thereby compressing the first springing element 208.

The first section 144 of the second cutting element 30 is positioned within the back portion 140 of the cavity 62, thereby compressing the second springing element 212. The front portion 18 of the body 14 is assembled to the back portion 22 of the body 14, thereby enclosing the first and second cutting elements 26 and 30 and first and second springing elements 208 and 212 in the cavity 62. The first cutting element 26 is positioned to slide upon the second cutting element 30 with the first and second springing elements 208 and 212 biasing the second side 128 of the first cutting element 26 against the second side 182 of the second cutting element 30, thereby causing the first cutting element 26 and the second cutting element 30 to shaφen each other as they are slide over each other.

As illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, each of the first and second springing elements 208 and 212 further comprise a first curved leaf spring 224, a second curved leaf spring 228, and a connecting member 232. The first curved leaf spring 224 has a first end 236 and a second end 240 and the second curved leaf spring 228 has a first end 244 and a second end 248. The connecting member 232 has a first end 252 and a second end 256. The first leaf spring 224 is attached at its first end 236 at a right angle to the first end 252 of the connecting member 232 and the second leaf spring 228 is attached at its first end 244 at a right angle to the second end 256 of the connecting member 232, thereby forming a C-shaped springing element 208 and 212. The connecting member 232 serves to facilitate the assembly of the cigar cutter 10 by making the springing element 208 and 212 easier to handle.

As illustrated in Figure 13, the means 34 for attaching the front portion 18 of the body 14 to the back portion 22 of the body 14 further comprises at least two holes 260 penetrating the front portion 18 of the body 14 and positioned about a perimeter 264 of the hole 66 through the body 14 for the introduction of a cigar, at least two holes 268 penetrating the back portion 22 of the body 14 and being coaxial with the holes 260 penetrating the front portion 18 of the body 14 and at least two hollow dowel pins 268 being sized to extend through the front portion 18 of the body 14 at least partially into the back portion 22 of the body 14.

Each of the dowel pins 268 have a head end 272 resembling a machine screw and a body end 276, and each have a threaded axial bore 280 extending from the body end 276 inwardly toward the head end 272. At least two machine screws 284 each sized to extend through the back portion 22 of the body 14 and partially into the axial bores 280 of the dowel pins 268 are provided. The dowel pins 268 are inserted into holes 260 penetrating the front portion 18 of the body 14 and the machine screws 284 are inserted through the holes 268 in the back portion 22 of the body 14 and threaded into the dowel pins 268, thereby attaching the front portion 18 of the body 14 to the back portion 22 of the body 14.

The improved cigar cutter 10 has been described with reference to a particular embodiment. However, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An improved cigar cutter, comprising: a hollow body having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front surface, a back surface and an interior cavity; said body having a central hole therethrough extending from the front surface to the back surface, said hole being sized to permit a cigar end to pass therethrough; a first slit extending from the first end to the interior cavity; a second slit extending from the second end to the interior cavity; a first cutting element having a first section, said first section having a shaφened end, said first section being disposed within the cavity, and a second section having an end and extending outwardly from the cavity through the first slit; said shaφened end of the first cutting element having a planar first side and a planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge at the second side; a first activating means affixed to the end of the second section of the first cutting element; means for preventing the first cutting element from being removed from the hollow body through the first slit; a second cutting element having a first section, said first section having a shaφened end, said first section being disposed within the cavity and a second section having an end extending outwardly from the cavity through the second slit; said shaφened end of the second cutting element having a planar first side and a planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge at the second side; a second activating means affixed to the end of the second section of the second cutting element; means for preventing the second cutting element from being removed from the hollow body through the second slit; said second side of the first cutting element being slidably disposed upon said second side of the second cutting element; and means for biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to shaφen each other when they are activated slidably over each other; wherein, when the first activating means and the second activating means are withdrawn outwardly away from the hollow body, the first cutting element and the second cutting element are maximally displaced from each other, thereby forming an opening therebetween, said opening being in register with the hole in the body, so that a cigar tip may be introduced through the hole and into the opening between the cutting elements, thereafter, when the activating means are displaced inwardly toward the body, a tip of the cigar will be severed between the cutting elements. roved cigar cutter, comprising: a flat hollow body having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front surface, a back surface and an interior cavity; said body having a central hole therethrough extending from the front surface to the back surface, said hole being sized to permit a cigar end to pass therethrough; a first slit extending from the first end to the interior cavity; a second slit extending from the second end to the interior cavity; said body being formed of a front portion and an identical mating back portion; said front portion including a first interior surface and a second interior surface, said first interior surface being closest to the front surface and being displaced from the second interior surface by a first predetermined distance; said back portion including a first interior surface and a second interior surface, said first interior surface being closest to the back surface and being displaced from the second interior surface by the first predetermined distance; a first planar cutting element having a first section, said first section having a shaφened end, a first predetermined width, and being disposed within the cavity, and extending away from the shaφened end to a second section, said second section having a second, smaller predetermined width and extending outwardly from the cavity through the first slit to an end; said first cutting element having a thickness slightly less than said first predetermined distance; said first section of the first cutting element having a planar first side and a planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge of the shaφened end at the second side; a second planar cutting element having a first section, said first section having a shaφened end, a first predetermined width, and being disposed within the cavity, and extending away from the shaφened end to a second section, said second section having a second, smaller predetermined width and extending outwardly from the cavity through the second slit to an end; said second cutting element having a thickness slightly less than said first predetermined distance; said first section of the second cutting element having a planar first side and a planar second side with a beveled surface extending from the first side to the second side, thereby forming a cutting edge of the shaφened end at the second side; said front portion of the body including a front portion of the cavity formed between the first interior surface and the second interior surface of the front portion of the body; said front portion of the cavity being sized to accommodate the first section of the first cutting element with the second section extending outwardly therefrom through the first slit; said back portion of the body including a back portion of the cavity formed between the first interior surface and the second interior surface of the back portion of the body; said back portion of the cavity being sized to accommodate the first section of the second cutting element with the second section extending outwardly therefrom through the second slit; said first slit being formed between the first interior surface of the front portion of the body and the second interior surface of the back portion of the body, said first slit being slightly greater in width than the second section of the first cutting element; said second slit being formed between the first interior surface of the back portion of the body and the second interior surface of the front portion of the body and being slightly greater in width than the second section of the second cutting element; a first activating means affixed to the end of the second section of the first cutting element; a second activating means affixed to the end of the second section of the second cutting element; means for attaching the front portion of the body to the back portion of the body; said second side of the first cutting element being slidably disposed upon said second side of the second cutting element; and means for biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to shaφen each other as they are activated slidably over each other; wherein, when the first activating means and the second activating means are withdrawn outwardly away from the hollow body, the first cutting element and the second cutting element are maximally displaced from each other, to form an opening therebetween, said opening being in register with the hole in the body, so that a cigar tip may be introduced through the hole and into the opening between the cutting elements, and thereafter, when the activating means are displaced inwardly toward the body, the tip of the cigar will be severed by the cutting elements.

3. An improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 2, wherein said cutting edge of the first cutting element is curved and said cutting edge of the second cutting element is curved.

4. An improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 2, wherein said cutting edge of the first cutting element defines a portion of an ellipse and said cutting edge of the second cutting element also defines a portion of an ellipse.

5. An improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 2, wherein the first and second cutting elements are prevented from being removed from the hollow body through the first and second slits, respectively, by: a first shoulder and a second shoulder formed in the first cutting element and the second cutting element and transitioning the first predetermined width of the first section of the cutting element to the second, smaller, predetermined width of the cutting element; a first shoulder receiving notch and a second shoulder receiving notch formed in the front portion of the body adjacent the first slit and formed in the back portion of the body adjacent the second slit; and each of said shoulder receiving notches engaging each of said shoulders when each of said cutting elements is maximally withdrawn from the body, thereby preventing the first section of each of the cutting elements from being removed from the body.

6. An improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 2, wherein, the means for biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element further comprises: a first springing element and a second springing element; a first retaining channel formed in the first interior surface of the front portion of the body; a second retaining channel formed in the first interior surface of the back portion of the body; said first springing element being disposed in said first retaining channel and said second springing element being disposed in said second retaining channel; said first section of the first cutting element being disposed within the front portion of the cavity, thereby compressing the first springing element; said first section of the second cutting element being disposed within the back portion of the cavity , thereby compressing the second springing element; said front portion of the body being assembled to the back portion of the body, thereby enclosing the first and second cutting elements and first and second springing elements therewithin and with the first cutting element slidably disposed upon the second cutting element; and said first and second springing elements biasing the second side of the first cutting element against the second side of the second cutting element, thereby causing the first cutting element and the second cutting element to shaφen each other as they are activated slidably over each other.

7. An improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 6, wherein, the first and second springing elements further comprise: a first curved leaf spring and a second curved leaf spring, each of said leaf springs having a first end and a second end; a connecting member having a first end and a second end; said first leaf spring orthogonally attached at its first end to the first end of the connecting member; and said second leaf spring orthogonally attached at its first end to the second end of the connecting member, thereby forming a C- shaped springing element;

8. An improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 2, wherein, the means for attaching the front portion of the body to the back portion of the body further comprise: at least two holes penetrating the front portion of the body and positioned about a perimeter of the hole through the body for the introduction of a cigar tip; at least two holes penetrating the back portion of the body and being coaxial with the holes penetrating the front portion of the body; at least two hollow dowel pins, said dowel pins being sized to extend through the fron portion of the body and at least partially into the back portion of the body, each of said dowel pins having a head end and a body end, and each having a threaded axial bore extending from the body end inwardly toward the head end; at least two machine screws, said machine screws being sized to extend through the back portion of the body and partially into the axial bores of the dowel pins; and said dowel pins being inserted into the holes penetrating the front portion of the body and said machine screws being removably and threadedly attached through the back portion of the body and into the dowel pins , thereby attaching the front portion of the body to the back portion of the body.

oved cigar cutter, comprising: a first plate and a second plate, each of said plates having a top, a bottom, first and second ends, an inner and an outer surface, and a central opening through the plate; each of said plates including an area recessed a first predetermined distance below its inner surface; said recessed area being spaced in from the top, bottom and first end of the plate and extending to the second end of the plate; said recessed area including a pair of parallel rectilinear side edges said side edges being spaced apart a first predetermined width, and a receiving channel recessed a second predetermined distance below the inner surface greater than said first predetermined distance; the inner surface and recessed area of each plate being the counteφart of the inner surface and recessed area of the other plate; a first cutter element and a second cutter element; each of said cutter elements having first and second ends with a gripping element extending axially from the first end, and a cutter blade extending oppositely from the second end; each of said cutter blades having a width slightly less than said first predetermined width and a thickness slightly less than said first predetermined distance; the cutter blade of the first cutter element being slidably disposed in the recessed area of the first plate with the first end of the cutter element extending out of the recessed area at the second end of the first plate; the cutter blade of the second cutter element being slidably disposed in the recessed area of the second plate with the first end of the cutter element extending out of the recessed area at the second end of the second plate; each receiving channel in the recessed area in the first and second plates being provided with spring means urging the cutter element out of the recessed area in which it is disposed; the inner surface of the first plate with the first cutter element disposed in the recessed area of the first plate being oppositely placed on the inner surface of the second plate with the second cutter element disposed in the recessed area of the second plate to place the central opening of the two plates in register, and the first and second plates being secured together; and whereby the first and second cutter elements may be manually moved by their gripping elements relative to each other between a first position maximally displaced apart from each other at which position the tip of a cigar may be introduced between the cutter elements, to a second position overlapping each other and closing the registering central openings between both plates to effect a cutting of the tip from the cigar.

10. An improved cigar cutter, comprising: a housing defining an interior cavity and an aperture sized to permit a cigar end to pass therethrough; a first cutting element having a shaφened end, said first cutting element slidably disposed within said housing and adapted for moving said shaφened end relative to said aperture defined in said housing; a second cutting element having a shaφened end, said second cutting element slidably disposed within said housing and adapted for moving said shaφened end of said second cutting element relative to said aperture defined in said housing; activating means operably associated with said first and second cutting elements for displacing said first and second cutting elements towards and away from each other to cut a cigar tip when introduced through said aperture in said housing; and means for biasing said cutting elements against each other in mutual sliding contact to shaφen said respective shaφened ends of said cutting elements as said cutting elements are displaced towards and away from each other.

11. The improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 1, wherein: said housing is defined by a top, bottom, first end, second end, front surface, and back surface, said housing further defining a first slit extending from said first end to said interior cavity and a second slit extending from said second end to said interior cavity; and each of said cutting elements including a first section having said shaφened end, where said first section is disposed within said interior cavity, and a second section having an end and extending outwardly from said cavity, said second section of said first cutting element extending through said first slit in said housing and said second section of said second cutting element extending through said second slit in said housing.

12. The improved cigar cutter as described in Claim 2, wherein: each of said shaφened ends of said cutting elements includes a planar first side and a planar second side with a beveled surface extending from said first side to said second side, thereby forming a cutting edge at said second side; said second side of said first cutting element being slidably disposed against said second side of said second cutting element.