CIGAR MOISTENING DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A moistening device for a cigar includes a housing with porous mesh lining and removable cap, sized to receive a cigar; a docking station which receives the cigar housing in a slotted socket, the docking station including a water reservoir with heating element, temperature sensor, water volume sensor components; printed circuit board components which include a button to activate the device, an LED indicator light to communicate status, and circuitry to receive signals from the sensor components and control the heating element accordingly; and a power unit that receives A/C power and which and receives signals to the various components of the docking station. Moistening of a cigar is achieved by heating the water in the reservoir to steaming temperature, and channeling the resultant steam up through the docking station and into the housing containing a cigar, thereby restoring humidity levels of the cigar to provide an improved smoking experience.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The specification generally relates to smoking apparatuses and methods and, in particular, to moistening a cigar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cigars can be rolled to include substances such as dried tobacco leaves. A cigar can include a wrapper rolled around a binder, which in turn can be rolled around filler, such as dried tobacco leaves. When consumers purchase cigars, such as Backwoods brand cigars, the product can arrive dry and may need to be discarded, costing consumers money. There is a need for a means of consistently and conveniently moistening a cigar to restore it to a texture and humidity level optimal for an enjoyable smoking experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a moistening device for a cigar, including: a removable body defining a housing to receive the cigar, sized and positioned to channel steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar; a docking station component which receives the cigar housing in a slotted socket, the docking station including a water reservoir and button for activating the device; a heating element operable on the water reservoir, for creating steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar; a temperature sensor operable on the water reservoir, for monitoring and permitting control of ideal steaming temperature; a water volume sensor operable on the water reservoir, for sending water volume and generating and communicating a notification signal when water volume is too low for the steaming process; an LED indicator on the button to indicate status of the device, in a preferred embodiment; and a power unit operably connectible to the docking station component. The device restores the humidity level of a cigar retained within the housing by heating the water contained in the water reservoir to create steam, and channeling that steam through the lid of the water reservoir, through the socket in which the cigar housing is seated, and through the porous lining of the cigar housing to the cigar contained within. The moistening process is controlled by a button which electronically signals via a PCB board to initiate the heating of the heating element. The moistening process is further maintained by the temperature sensor, which automatically signals to the PCB board when the temperature of the water reservoir has reached an ideal temperature for steam production, thereby turning off the heating element until the temperature drops below a predetermined threshold. The water volume sensor determines whether a sufficient volume of water is held in the reservoir to complete the steaming process, and communicates via a notification signal if this volume is too low. The process may be ended at any time with a second press of the button.

In some embodiments, the docking station includes: a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to a power supply.

In some embodiments, the docking station includes a button operable by the user and backed by a PCB.

In some embodiments, the moistening device includes separate docking station and cigar holder components.

In some embodiments, the docking station includes a water volume sensor and a temperature sensor operable upon the water reservoir.

In some embodiments, the moistening device includes an indicator light to communicate the status of the steaming process to the user.

In some embodiments, the cigar housing includes: a channel having a channel opening sized to receive a cigar; and a porous or mesh lining surrounding at least a portion of the channel.

In some embodiments, the docking station includes a socket for receiving a standard A/C power plug, a main PCB, a water level sensor, a temperature sensor, a heating element, and a button/LED PCB.

In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a method for moistening a cigar, the method including: retaining the cigar in an enclosed housing; positioning the cigar housing in a docking station containing a water reservoir; heating the water in the reservoir to a temperature using a heating element controlled by a PCB; automatically ending the heating when a certain temperature is detected by a temperature sensor; and indicating to the user when the moistening process is complete by an LED indicator light.

In some embodiments, the method further includes facilitating gas flow along the length of the cigar housing through a mesh.

In some embodiments, there is provided a device for moistening Backwoods style cigars. The device comprises a housing unit with an inner cylindrical mesh to receive a cigar; a docking station with an opening to receive the cigar housing; a water reservoir contained within the docking station; a water volume sensor detecting the fill level of the water reservoir; a temperature sensor operable upon the water reservoir; a PCB to control the

Other aspects and features and combinations thereof concerning embodiments described herein will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the instant disclosure of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a front elevational view of the docking station component of a moistening device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the docking station of a moistening device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a view of an example commercially packaged kit for a moistening device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a view of the water reservoir, button-controlled PCB, and PCB case within the docking station of a moistening device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the PCB which controls the heating element, temperature sensor, and water volume sensor of the docking station, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is an overhead view of the water reservoir of a moistening device, including the temperature sensor, water volume sensor, and heating element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features.

According to some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, a moistening device comprises a cigar housing 100; a docking station 200 having a docking socket 206, water reservoir, a temperature sensor, a water volume sensor, a heating element, and a PCB. Cigar housing 100 comprises a cylindrical tube 104 sized and dimensioned to receive a cigar, vents 102, and a press-on cap 108. Cigar housing tube 104 includes a perforated bottom (not shown), with holes allowing steam to rise through cigar housing 100 to moisten the cigar within. Cigar housing 100 connects removably to docking station 200 by insertion into docking socket 206. In some embodiments, docking station 200 receives electric power via a standard A/C wall plug 300. In some embodiments, the heating element is activated by a button 204. In some embodiments, the docking station includes an LED indicator light 202 which can communicate status of the docking station; for example, using red to indicate low water volume, blinking white to indicate that heating of the water in the reservoir has begun, solid white to indicate that the steaming process is complete, and green to indicate that the temperature has exceeded the necessary steaming threshold.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of a example moistening devices, according to some embodiments. Various materials and color designs can be used. Materials can be selected for anti-rust or durability, for example. Other sizes and dimensions can be used in other embodiments.

Docking station 200 is shown in FIG. 3A, with the cigar housing 100 removed from the docking socket 206. Docking station 200 may include a receiving electrical socket 306 to fit a standard A/C electrical power cable, as shown in FIG. 3B, according to some embodiments.

The items shown in FIG. 4 comprise a typical commercially packaged presentation of one embodiment of a moistening device. Items included in this example presentation include the docking station 200, the cigar housing 100 with removable press-on cap 106, a commercially available filling cup and a standard A/C power supply cable. Docking socket 206 includes holes to allow the rising of hot steam from water reservoir 212 through docking socket and through the perforated bottom of cigar housing 100.

Docking station 200 includes a removable outer shell. FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show the components of one embodiment of docking station 200 with that outer shell removed. Docking station 200 includes a water reservoir 212, a heating element 210, a water volume sensor 220, a temperature sensor 218, a small PCB for the button 204, and a case 216 containing the PCB 224 which controls the heating element and sensors. In this embodiment, water reservoir 212 includes a removable lid 222. As shown in FIG. 7, removable lid 222 includes holes to allow steam to pass through and up to docking socket 206, and ultimately to cigar housing 100. According to the embodiment shown in overhead view FIG. 7, the water volume sensor 220 and temperature sensor 218 are located within the water reservoir.

To use the device to moisten a cigar, an unused cigar is removed from its protective wrapping and is placed within the cigar housing 100. Nominally, the dimensions of a cigar would be approximately 4.5 inches long, with an approximate cigar ring gauge size of 27, or a diameter of 0.4-0.5 inches. Press-on cap 108 is applied to close the housing and contain the cigar, while allowing gas to escape via vents 102. The cigar housing is then placed in slotted socket 206. The user presses button 204 to begin the moistening process. The user can monitor the status of the process by observing LED indicator light 202. As described previously, the device's status will be indicated by the color shown by LED indicator light 202; for example, red may indicate an empty water reservoir, a blinking white light may indicate that steaming has begun, a solid white light may indicate that the cigar is fully steamed, and a green light may indicate that the necessary steaming temperature has been exceeded. When the necessary temperature is exceeded as determined by temperature sensor 218, heating element 210 automatically shuts off. When the temperature of the water reservoir then drops below the necessary threshold for steaming, the heating element will turn on again to attain steaming temperature. At any time, the button may be pressed a second time to end the steaming process. When the completion of steaming is indicated, as with a solid white indicator light in this example, the cigar may be removed from the housing and is ready to be consumed.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions may be made, the specification is not to be limited to those details.

Claims

1. A moistening device for a cigar, comprising: a body defining a housing sized to receive the cigar, sized and positioned to channel steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar;a docking station with a socket to receive said housing, the docking station containing a water reservoir;a heating element operable on said water reservoir, for creating steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar;a temperature sensor operable on said water reservoir, for monitoring and permitting control of ideal steaming temperature;a water volume sensor operable on said water reservoir, for sending water volume and generating and communicating a notification signal when water volume is too low for the steaming process; anda power unit enclosed within said docking station.

2. The moistening device of claim 1, the power unit comprising: a circuit board powered by a power source; andan actuation component for operating the power unit.

3. The moistening device of claim 1, the housing comprising: a channel having a channel opening sized to receive a cigar; anda porous lining surrounding at least a portion of the channel.

4. The moistening device of claim 1, the temperature sensor located within said water reservoir.

5. The moistening device of claim 1, the water volume sensor located within said water reservoir.

6. The moistening device of claim 1, the power unit including a socket for a standard A/C power cable.

7. The moistening device of claim 1, the housing further comprising a plate positioned proximate the channel and opposite to the channel opening, the plate having at least one hole, the docking station fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas via the at least one hole.

8. The moistening device of claim 1, the water reservoir including a removable lid with a cylindrical raised section to receive said housing, and at least one hole to allow passage of gas through to said housing.

9. The moistening device of claim 1, further comprising a cap attachable to the body to close an opening of the housing, the opening sized to receive the cigar.

10. The moistening device of claim 1, the docking station including an exterior shell to protect and conceal said water reservoir and power unit, said exterior shell having a removable lid to allow refilling of the water reservoir.

11. The moistening device of claim 10, the exterior shell including a button connected to the power unit, said button initiating the moistening process when pressed.

12. The moistening device of claim 10, the housing attachable to the docking station via a slotted socket.

13. The moistening device of claim 10, the power unit including a status indicator light visible on the exterior shell of the docking station.

14. The moistening device of claim 13, the status indicator light capable of indicating: that the moistening process is underway;an insufficient water volume in the reservoir;the completion of the moistening process; anda state in which said heating element is automatically activated and deactivated to maintain a temperature threshold.

15. The moistening device of claim 14, the power unit including a circuit board for receiving information from said water volume sensor and said temperature sensor, and controlling the color of the indicator light based on that received information.

16. A method for moistening a cigar, the method comprising: retaining the cigar in an enclosed housing, sized and positioned to channel steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar;positioning the housing in a docking station including a water reservoir, the housing, docking station, and water reservoir having at least one hole to allow passage of gas to the housing; andheating the water in said water reservoir to a predetermined temperature for a set period of time to generate steam.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising facilitating gas flow along the length of the housing through a mesh.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising monitoring of the temperature and volume within the water reservoir by means of electronic sensors.

19. The method of claim 16, the generation of steam being by heating the water in the water reservoir and forcing the gas to the housing through at least one hole.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing control of the generation of steam by a power unit.