Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02279621 1999-08-04
TITLE: Case For Retaining A Cigar Or Other Article
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cases that may be used to retain or encapsulate an
article.
In one particular application the invention relates to a portable cigar case
that may
also be used as a means to hold or support a lit cigar.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although cigars may be sold, transported and stored in relatively large
volumes, often
cigars are purchased and carried individually. When sold or carried on an
individual
basis, cigars are typically wrapped in a protective covering or,
alternatively, may be
placed within a protective housing. In general the more expensive the cigar
the more
substantial the protective covering in which it is packaged and sold. Commonly
finer
cigars are sold in aluminum or plastic tubes having a removable cap on one
end.
While existing cigar tubes are relatively proficient in their ability to
protect a cigar
from physical damage, they unfortunately provide no means whatsoever to
protect,
hold or carry a cigar once it has been lit. Cigar smoking is often enjoyed by
individuals who participate in a wide variety of sports and other activities
that, from
time to time, require the use of both hands. In such situations an individual
is forced
to either hold a lit cigar in his mouth, place it on an object such as a desk,
table or
other structure, or in some cases even resort to placing the lit cigar on the
ground.
Clearly all of these options are less than ideal as they present potential
fire hazards,
can cause damage to the cigar, or can result in bacterial contamination of the
cigar
through its' coming into contact with foreign objects.
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There is therefore a need for a case or holder that is able to retain and
protect a cigar
or other article when in transit or storage, and also able to provide a means
to
securely, safely and hygienically hold a lit cigar when a smoker requires use
of both
of hands for other tasks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention therefore provides a case that fulfils the above described
deficiencies
in existing devices by providing a sealed case for transportation and storage
of a cigar
or other article. Where the article is a cigar the case also enables an
individual to
securely hold a lit cigar when desired.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects the invention provides a case for retaining
a cigar
or other article, the case comprising a generally tubular primary body having
a
generally hollow interior, an open upper end in connection with said hollow
interior,
and a closed lower end, said hollow interior capable of receiving and
retaining a cigar
or other article therein; and, a cap having an enclosed upper end and an open
lower
end, said open lower end of said cap releasably securable to said open upper
end of
said primary body to form an air tight seal therewith, wherein said enclosed
upper
end of said cap is releasably securable to said open upper end of said primary
body
when said cap is inverted and thereby providing a means to hold and support
the end
of a cigar or other article.
In a further aspect the invention provides a case for retaining a cigar or
other article,
the case comprising, a generally tubular primary body having a generally
hollow
interior, an open upper end in communication with said hollow interior, and a
closed
lower end, said hollow interior capable of receiving and retaining a cigar or
other
article therein; and, a cap having an enclosed upper end and an open lower
end, said
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open lower end of said cap releasably securable to said open upper end of said
primary body and when so secured forming an air tight seal therewith, wherein
said
enclosed upper end of said cap includes an exterior recess such that when said
open
lower end of said cap is secured to said open upper end of said primary body
said
exterior recess provides a means to hold the end of a cigar or other article.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the
following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly
how
it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example,
to the
accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiments of the present
invention in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of the case according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the case of Figure 1 that has been rotated 90
degrees about
its longitudinal axis;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 ;
Figure 4 is the case shown in Figure 3 having its cap inverted;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the case according to the present invention;
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Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the cutter incorporated within the
lower end
of the case of the present invention; and,
Figure 8 is a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention may be embodied in a number of different forms. However,
the specification and drawings that follow describe and disclose only some of
the
specific forms of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention as defined in the claims that follow herein.
The case of the present invention is shown in the attached drawing and noted
generally by the reference to number 1. Case 1 is comprised generally of a
tubular
primary body 2 and a cap 3. Primary body 2 has a hollow interior 4, an open
upper
end 5 in communication with hollow interior 4, and a closed lower end 6. Cap 3
has
a hollow interior 7, an enclosed upper end 8, and an open lower end 9. Open
lower
end 9 of cap 3 is constructed so as to be releasably securable to open upper
end 5 of
primary body 2 so that when a cigar or other article is received within hollow
interior
4, cap 3 may be secured to the primary body to enclose hollow interior 4 and
retain
the cigar or other article therein. To prevent the possibility of dirt and
moisture
entering hollow interior 4, in the preferred embodiment when open lower end 9
of
cap 3 is secured over open upper end 5 of the primary body it forms an air
tight seal
therewith.
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It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a wide variety of
mechanical
structures could be utilized in order to secure cap 3 to primary body 2. In
the
embodiment shown in the attached drawings, open lower end 9 of cap 3 has
threads
that mesh with threads 11 on upper end 5 of the primary body so that cap 3 is
5 threadably received thereon and held tightly in place. Alternatively, open
upper end
5 of the primary body may be constructed with an internal thread and cap 3 may
have an external thread such that the cap may be threadably received within
hollow
interior 4. In a still further embodiment cap 3 may be secured to primary body
2
through frictional engagement or by way of a hinge mechanism. In addition, a
wide
10 variety of sealing mechanisms could be used between the cap and the primary
body,
including an O-ring 24 or other mechanical seals, to ensure an air tight fit.
In the preferred embodiment cap 3 may be removed from open upper end 5 of
primary body 2 after which enclosed upper end 8 of cap 3 may be releasably
secured
to open end 5 of primary body 2 through inverting the cap. As shown in Figure
4,
in this configuration the inverted cap provides a means to hold the end of a
cigar or
other article such that the cigar or other article may be supported within the
hollow
interior of the cap without the assistance of additional devices or supporting
mechanisms. It will be appreciated that where a cigar is supported in the
inverted
cap since only the unlit end of the cigar is being supported within the cap
the cigar
may be held in this fashion even when it is lit and burning.
As in the case of the securing of open lower end 9 of cap 3 to primary body 2,
enclosed upper end 8 of cap 3 may be releasably secured to the primary body in
a
number of ways when it is inverted. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4,
enclosed
upper end 8 of cap 3 has a reduced diameter portion 12 that is releasably
securable
within open upper end of primary body 2. The reduced diameter portion is
constructed so that it closely fits within the internal diameter of hollow
interior 4.
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The inverted cap is thus securely held within the primary body by means of
frictional
engagement therewith. Alternatively, enclosed upper end 8 of cap 3 may be
threadably received onto, or within, the primary body in a similar fashion as
the cap
is held on open lower end 9 when in its non-inverted configuration.
As shown in Figures 1 through 4, primary body 2 further includes a clip 13 on
its
outer surface that allows the primary body to be releasably secured to another
article.
A broad range of clip structures could be utilized on the exterior of primary
body 2,
however, in the embodiment shown in the attached drawings the clip is
comprised of
a manually actuatable lever that pivots about a pin 14. The clip is normally
biased
in a closed position by an internal spring such that its end is maintained
against, or
in close proximity to, the outer surface of primary body 2. When the clip is
displaced from its normally closed position the internal spring applies a
biasing force
that attempts to return the clip to its closed position, thereby presenting a
means for
cigar case 1 to be attached or secured to another object. To enhance its
operation,
clip 13 may also include a thumb portion 15 on its upper end to assist in
opening the
clip. An inwardly directed hook 16 may be positioned on the lower end of the
clip
to assist in grasping and engaging an object over which the clip is secured.
In accordance with the above described structure, case 1 may thus be used as a
means
to retain, transport and protect a cigar or other article when open lower end
9 of cap
3 is retained over open upper end 5 of primary 2. If desired, clip 13 may be
engaged
about an object or device to support or hold case 1.
A particular application of case 1 related to its use to hold a cigar will now
be
explained so as to help demonstrate its features and function. Where an
individual
is engaged in playing a game of golf, clip 13 could be used to engage the side
of a
golf bag so that the case is held securely on the side of the bag. To access a
cigar
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held within hollow interior 4, the cigar case need not be removed from the
golf bag
since the individual need only remove cap 3. If during smoking the cigar the
individual requires the use of both of his hands the cap can be inverted such
that
reduced diameter portion 12 is received within the open upper end of the
primary
body thereby presenting hollow interior 7 of cap 3 to receive the end of the
cigar.
With the cigar case secured to the golf bag by clip 3, the individual is then
able to
support the lit cigar without having to lay it on the ground or some other
object.
Retrieving the lighted cigar from the inverted cap is equally simple and
merely
requires that the individual grasp the end of the cigar as it protrudes
outwardly from
hollow interior 7 of the cap.
Since case 1 provides an air tight and protective chamber within which to
transport
and store a cigar, in some cases cigars may be stored within the case for an
extended
period of time. Case 1 may therefore include humidification means that may be
used
to humidify the air within hollow interior 4 of primary body 2. In the
embodiment
shown in the attached drawings, the humidification means comprises an
absorbent
material 17 that is preferably positioned at the innermost portion of hollow
interior
7 of cap 3. Absorbent material 17 is capable of absorbing water and releasing
water
vapour into hollow interior 4 to humidify the air therein. Preferably
absorbent
material 17 is comprised of cellulose, foam or other sponge-type absorbent
material
that is capable of absorbing and retaining water, while preventing water from
dripping onto the end of a cigar held within the case.
So as to prevent the end of a cigar from coming into direct physical contact
with
absorbent material 17, the interior portion of enclosed upper end 8 of cap 3
preferably contains a series of longitudinally oriented support members 18.
Support
members 18 are located on the interior surface of upper end 8 of cap 3 and
prevent
the end of a cigar from protruding into hollow interior 7 beyond their lower
ends,
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thereby preventing contact of the cigar with absorbent material 17. As shown
in
Figure 4, support members 18 will also provide a surface upon which the end of
a
cigar can rest when received within the inverted cap. Support members 18 may
be
integrally formed with cap 3 or, alternatively, may be comprised of neoprene
or other
material that will elevate the end of the cigar above absorbent material 17
and help
to reduce potential damage to the cigar. In an alternate embodiment, support
members 18 may be in the form of a hollow cylinder or one or more post
structures.
Preferably absorbent material 17 is retained within channels 19 that are
defined by
the support members to ensure that it remains physically separated from the
end of
the cigar. In this manner the humidification of the environment within hollow
interior 4 can be controlled and maintained without the risk of the cigar
coming into
contact with the absorbent material and becoming wet. It will be understood
that this
structure will also allow an individual to re-humidify a cigar that has become
dried
out by merely inserting the cigar into the case and retaining it therein for a
period of
time.
Referring to Figures 4, 6 and 7, where case 1 is used in association with
cigars it may
also include a cutter 20 that may be used to remove the tip, or a portion of
the tip,
of a cigar. In the preferred embodiment closed lower end 6 of primary body 2
includes a recess 21 in its exterior surface. Cutter 20 is received and
secured within
recess 21 so that the tip of a cigar may be removed or cut off through
inserting the
cigar into the cutter on the end of the cigar case. The cutter preferably
includes a
serrated or sharpened circular blade 22 which allows for the removal of the
tip of a
cigar by way of a simple rotational or twisting movement when the cigar is
inserted
into recess 21. In this fashion case 1 provides a quick, simple and safe
method of
removing the tip of a cigar without the need to carry a separate cutting
implement.
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As is also shown in the attached drawings, primary body 2 may include an
external
viewing window 23 that allows for visual inspection of the contents of case 1.
Viewing window 23 may take a variety of different forms, including a small
transparent window inserted within the exterior of primary body 2.
Alternately,
viewing window 23 may be a tubular structure forming an integral part of the
primary body. Where viewing window 23 is tubular in nature it is preferably
secured
to primary body 2 in such a manner to ensure an air tight seal therebetween.
In cases
where case 1 is comprised of a plastic material the viewing window is
preferably
glued or heat sealed to the primary body. In instances where case 1 is
comprised of
a metallic or wooden material, viewing window 23 may be threadably received
onto
the primary body, or may be held through a variety of other fastening means.
Regardless of the manner in which viewing window 23 is attached to primary
body
2, its function will be the same. It will allow an individual to examine the
contents
of the case. Where the case is used to hold a cigar, the viewing window will
allow
inspection of the label of a cigar held in the case to quickly identify the
cigar, and
permit an inspection of the condition of the cigar in terms of humidification,
over
humidification, swelling etc.
It is to be understood that what has been described are the preferred
embodiments of
the invention and that it may be possible to make variations to these
embodiments
while staying within the broad scope of the invention. Some of these
variations have
been discussed while others will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art. For
example, while in the preferred embodiment cap 3 may be inverted to provide a
means to hold a lit cigar, the enclosed upper end of the cap could equally
include an
exterior recess 25 (see Figure 8) that enables the cap to hold a cigar, a
cigarette or
other article without inverting the cap. In addition, while one of the primary
uses of
case 1 is expected to be for retaining cigars and holding and supporting lit
cigars, it
will be appreciated that the structure described herein is sufficiently broad
so as to
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enable the case to hold and/or support a wide variety of other articles such
as, but not
limited to, cigarettes, pens and pencils, and may also be used to hold and
retain
various liquids.
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