Patent Grant
10412993
During use of automatic smoking machines, one end of a cigar holder assembly is used to hold the mouth-end of a cigar and the opposite end of the cigar holder connects to a smoking machine. Linear and rotary smoking machines are used for the analytical testing of cigars wherein Cambridge filter pad holders mounted on the smoking machine support cigars undergoing testing. For example, rotary and linear smoking machines are available from Cerulean, a company located in the United Kingdom, wherein cigars are held in a holder which includes a vacuum actuated flexible sleeve which grips the wrapper of a cigar. There is a need for a cigar holder assembly that has a leak-free seal on the cigar and that can be easily set up with the smoking machine.
One embodiment is directed to a cigar holder assembly configured to connect to a smoking machine. The cigar holder assembly includes a filter holder, a cigar holder and a seal. The filter holder includes: a first filter holder piece having a first end that is configured to connect to a smoking machine and a second end that is opposite the first end, and an axially extending opening between the first end and the second end, and a second filter holder piece having a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end, a first opening extending axially into the first end and a second opening extending axially into the second end, and the second end of the first filter holder piece and the first end of the second filter holder piece configured to fit together to form a chamber for a filter. The cigar holder includes a first end and a second end that is configured to receive a cigar having a tipped end, the second end is opposite to the first end, an axially extending opening between the first end and the second end, and the second end of the second filter holder piece and the first end of the cigar holder configured to fit together. The seal is cylindrically shaped and has an axially extending opening in the center thereof that extends through the entire thickness of the seal, the seal configured to fit in the opening in the first end of the cigar holder, and the opening in the seal configured to support a tipped end of a cigar.
Another embodiment is directed to a cigar holder including: a first end that has an opening that is configured to receive a seal that is cylindrically shaped; a second end that has an opening that is configured to receive a cigar, wherein the second end is opposite to the first end; a base portion that is located at the first end, an outer surface of the base portion has a circumferential groove configured to receive an O-ring; a lipped portion that is located at the second end; and a tapered portion that is located in between the base portion and the lipped portion. The tapered portion has an outer periphery which becomes smaller in a direction towards the lipped portion, and the first end is configured to fit within an opening in a filter holder.
These and other exemplary features and advantages of particular embodiments of the cigar holder assembly will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments to which they are not limited.
The scope of the present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments are intended for illustration purposes only and are, therefore, not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the claims.
The claimed subject matter may include combinations of example embodiments in whole or in part. In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage in context. For example, terms, such as “and,” “or,” or “and/or,” as used herein may include a variety of meanings that may depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, terms such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context. In this specification, when a numerical value is mentioned such as for a distance, diameter, etc., a variance of ±10% is contemplated for that numerical value.
In an exemplary embodiment, the filter holder 102 includes a first filter holder piece 104 and a second filter holder piece 106. The filter holder 102 is not limited to two pieces, and could be three or more pieces. The first filter holder piece 104 shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the second filter holder piece 106 shown in
The cigar holder 110 shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal 108 shown in
The specific features of the first filter holder piece 104 are shown in greater detail in
As seen in
There is an axially extending opening 220 that extends between the first end 200 and the second end 202. As seen in
In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion 208 includes a first cylindrical portion 210, a second cylindrical portion 212 (where the groove 122 is located), and a third cylindrical portion 214. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 210 and the third cylindrical portion 214 is the same. In an exemplary embodiment, this diameter is 43.75 mm for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter and 55 mm for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter holder. An outer surface of the base portion 208 has the circumferential groove 122 that is configured to receive an O-ring seal configured to seal the base portion 208 in the first opening 310 of the second filter holder piece 106. As seen in
In an exemplary embodiment, the axial length of the first filter holder piece 104 is 25 mm for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter and 30.25 mm for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter.
In an exemplary embodiment, the first filter holder piece 104 is made of polymer (e.g., ultra-high density polypropylene, etc.). However, the first filter holder piece 104 can be made of any material such as polymer, ceramic, and metal materials.
The specific features of the second filter holder piece 106 are shown in greater detail in
In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the neck portion 304 is 29.6 mm, the diameter of the neck portion exterior opening 312 is 25 mm, and the diameter of the neck portion interior opening 314 is 12 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the neck portion 304 is 30 mm, the diameter of the neck portion exterior opening 312 is 25.5 mm, and the diameter of the neck portion interior opening 314 is 12 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the base portion 308 is 50.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad, the diameter of the base portion opening 310 is 44.6 mm. The diameter of the flared opening 316 at the very end of the base portion 308 is 46.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the axial length of the second filter holder piece 106 is 33 mm for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad. Specifically, the axial length of the base portion 308 is 13 mm, the axial length of the conical portion 306 is 7 mm, and the axial length of the neck portion 304 is 13 mm. The axial length of the base portion opening 310 is 8 mm and the axial length of the flared opening 316 is 1 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the base portion 308 is 61 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad, the diameter of the base portion opening 310 is 54.8 mm. The diameter of the flared opening 316 at the very end of the base portion 308 is 56.4 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the axial length of the second filter holder piece 106 is 32.5 mm for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad. Specifically, the axial length of the base portion 308 is 13.5 mm, the axial length of the conical portion 306 is 6.15 mm, and the axial length of the neck portion 304 is 12.85 mm. The axial length of the base portion opening 310 is 7.75 mm and the axial length of the flared opening 316 is 0.33 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the second filter holder piece 106 is made of plastic. For example, ultra-high density plastic. However, the first filter holder piece 106 can be made of any material such as polymer, ceramic, and metal materials.
The specific features of the cigar holder 110 are shown in greater detail in
In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the axially extending opening 512 is larger than the axially extending opening 510. In an exemplary embodiment, the axially extending opening 510 flares outward at the second end 502 such that the diameter of the axially extending opening 510 is larger at the second end 502 than in the middle of the axially extending opening 510 that is located in the middle of the cigar holder 110. For example, the diameter of the axially extending opening 510 at the second end 502 can be 14 mm and the diameter at the middle of the axially extending opening 510 can be 12 mm. The diameter of the axially extending opening 512 can be 18.5 mm. The diameter of the exterior surface of the base portion 504 can be 25 mm, and the diameter of the exterior surface of the lipped portion 508 can be 25 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the overall axial length of the cigar holder 110 can be 23.5 mm. Specifically, the axial length of the base portion 504 can be 8.15 mm, the axial length of the tapered portion 506 can be 10.35 mm, and the axial length of the lipped portion 508 can be 5 mm. The dimensions of the cigar holder 110 can be increased to accommodate tipped cigars with larger dimensions.
The specific features of the seal 108 are shown in greater detail in
As seen in
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal 108 can be made of an elastomeric material such as rubber, silicone, etc.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cigar holder 110 includes the first end 500 that has the opening 512 that is configured to receive the seal 108 that is cylindrically shaped. The cigar holder 110 also includes the second end 502 that has the opening 510 that is configured to receive a tipped cigar. The second end 502 is opposite to the first end 500. The cigar holder 110 further includes the base portion 504 that is located at the first end 500, and an outer surface of the base portion 504 has the circumferential groove 124 that is configured to receive an O-ring. The cigar holder 110 includes the lipped portion 508 that is located at the second end 502, and the tapered portion 506 that is located in between the base portion 504 and the lipped portion 508. The tapered portion 506 has an outer periphery which becomes smaller in a direction towards the lipped portion 508, and the first end 500 is configured to fit within the opening 312 in the filter holder 102.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cigar holder assembly 100 for a tipped cigar can be designed with the appropriate angles and distances such that when the cigar is inserted 28 mm, there is a distance of 12 mm from the mouth end of the cigar to the Cambridge filter pad.
The cigar holder assembly 100 is assembled together by first placing an O-ring seal in each of the circumferential grooves 118, 120, 122, and 124. Next, a Cambridge filter pad is placed flush against the second end 202 of the first filter holder piece 104, and then the second end 202 of the first filter holder piece 104 is inserted into the first end 300 of the second filter holder piece 106 as shown in
Once the cigar holder assembly 100 is connected to the smoking machine and the cigar is inserted into the cigar holder assembly 100 as described above, machine smoking of cigar by the smoking machine can be started via a computer controlled user-interface. Various smoking regimes can be selected using the user-interface in which the user can customize the smoking. For example, puff duration, volumes, and interval are all variable and user controlled. The smoking machine can be designed specifically for smoking cigars to, for example, CORESTA recommended methods #64, #65, #66, #67, etc. The cigar is cut, for example, with a straight cut at a position 5 mm from the mouth end. The cigar is lit, and allowed to burn down to a specified distance from the cigar holder 110. For example, a puff termination device linked to a butt length (mark) sensor and a puff counter can be used. When activated by the sensor, the puff termination device prevents any further drawing of air through the cigar. Particulate matter present in the mainstream smoke is captured by the Cambridge filter pad that is contained within the filter holder 102. The smoking machine can also have a built-in gas analyzer that can collect and analyze carbon monoxide generated during the smoking. After the smoking of the cigar is completed, the Cambridge filter pad is removed from the filter holder 102, and the particulate matter from the mainstream smoke is analyzed by a laboratory. The results of the analysis can be used, for example, to determine consistency in the manufacturing of the cigars, for inter-brand comparison, etc. Multiple cigars can be tested at a time on a smoking machine with multiple ports.
In an exemplary embodiment, a similar cigar holder assembly as described above can be used for untipped cigars. The cigar holder assembly for untipped cigars can use a first filter holder piece and a second filter holder piece that are similar to those described above, and a cigar holder that is similar to the cigar holder described above. The dimensions, angles, and shapes of these components can be modified for optimal flow of smoke from an untipped cigar. For example, the cigar holder assembly for an untipped cigar can be designed with the appropriate angles and distances such that when the cigar is inserted 28 mm, there is a distance of 12 mm from the mouth end of the cigar to the Cambridge filter pad.
In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder for untipped cigars that is designed for a 55 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the distal section 612 can be 18.6 mm, the diameter of the exterior surface of the intermediate section 614 can be 19.6 mm, and the diameter of the neck portion opening 618 can be 10.9 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the circumferential groove 616 can be 15.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the base portion 610 can be 60.9 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad, the diameter of the base portion opening 620 can be 55.9 mm. The diameter of the flared opening 622 at the very end of the base portion 610 can be 57.9 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder for untipped cigars that is designed for a 44 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the distal section 612 can be 18.6 mm, the diameter of the exterior surface of the intermediate section 614 can be 19.0 mm, and the diameter of the neck portion opening 618 can be 11.0 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the circumferential groove 616 can be 15.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad, the diameter of the exterior surface of the base portion 610 can be 50.5 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad, the diameter of the base portion opening 620 can be 44.5 mm. The diameter of the flared opening 622 at the very end of the base portion 610 can be 46.5 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the axial length of the second filter holder piece 600 for untipped cigars can be 37.75 mm for a filter holder designed for a 55 mm filter pad. Specifically, the axial length of the base portion 610 can be 12.8 mm, the axial length of the conical portion 608 can be 9.55 mm, and the axial length of the neck portion 606 can be 15.4 mm. The axial length of the intermediate section 614 can be 7.5 mm and the axial length of the distal section 612 can be 7.9 mm. The axial length of the base portion opening 620 can be 6.7 mm and the axial length of the flared opening 622 can be 1 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the axial length of the second filter holder piece 600 for untipped cigars can be 37 mm for a filter holder designed for a 44 mm filter pad. Specifically, the axial length of the base portion 610 can be 13.8 mm, the axial length of the conical portion 608 can be 10.75 mm, and the axial length of the neck portion 606 can be 12.45 mm. The axial length of the intermediate section 614 can be 4.25 mm and the axial length of the distal section 612 can be 8.2 mm. The axial length of the base portion opening 620 can be 7 mm and the axial length of the flared opening 622 can be 1 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the second filter holder piece 106 is made of plastic. For example, ultra-high density plastic. However, the first filter holder piece 106 can be made of any material such as polymer, ceramic, and metal materials.
The cigar holder 700 includes a base portion 706, an intermediate portion 708, and an end portion 710. The cigar holder 700 has a flared opening 718 in the first end 702 of the cigar holder 700 and an axially extending opening 712 in the second end 704 of the cigar holder 700. The flared opening 718, the opening 716, and the opening 712 are all circular. The diameter of the opening 712 is smaller than the diameter of the axially extending opening 716. The base portion 706 includes a circumferential groove 714 located in its interior within the axially extending opening 716. The circumferential groove 714 is configured to receive an O-ring seal. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the base portion 706 is the same as the diameter of a portion of the end portion 710. The section of the end portion 710 located at the second end 704 has an angled surface as seen in
The first end 702 of the cigar holder 700 fits over the distal section 612 of the neck portion 606 of the second filter holder piece 600 for untipped cigars. The size of the distal section 612 of the neck portion 606 corresponds to the size of the opening 715 in the cigar holder 700. An O-ring seal is placed in the circumferential groove 616 of the second filter holder piece 600, and the flared opening 718 allows the O-ring to seat into the circumferential groove 714 when the cigar holder 700 is positioned onto the distal section 612 of the second filter holder piece 600. The O-ring in the circumferential grooves 714 and 616 provides for an air-tight seal between these two components. In an exemplary embodiment, the cigar holder 700 is made of plastic. However, the cigar holder 110 can be made of any material such as polymer, ceramic, or metal materials.
In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the axially extending opening 712 at the second end 704 can be 14 mm and the diameter of the axially extending opening 716 can be 19 mm. The diameter of the flared opening 718 can be 22 mm. The diameter of the exterior surface of the base portion 706 can be 24 mm, and the diameter of the exterior surface of the flat section of the end portion can be 24 mm. The diameter of the exterior surface of the intermediate portion 708 can be 27 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the overall axial length of the cigar holder 700 can be 18.25 mm. Specifically, the axial length of the base portion 706 can be 8.25 mm, the axial length of the intermediate portion 708 can be 5 mm, and the axial length of the end portion 710 can be 5 mm. The axial length of the opening 712 can be 1 mm and the axial length of the flared opening 718 combined with the opening 716 can be 17.25 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cigar holder assembly for untipped cigars does not use a seal similar to the seal 108 used in the cigar holder assembly 100 for tipped cigars. Instead, the cigar holder 700 can use a labyrinth seal with the seal orifice punched out to 1 mm less than the diameter of the intended cigar. The dimensions of the cigar holder 700 can be increased to accommodate untipped cigars with larger dimensions.
The description of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190014817 A1 | Jan 2019 | US |
