US20200205471A1 - Cigar cutter assembly - Google Patents
Cigar cutter assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200205471A1 US20200205471A1 US16/731,307 US201916731307A US2020205471A1 US 20200205471 A1 US20200205471 A1 US 20200205471A1 US 201916731307 A US201916731307 A US 201916731307A US 2020205471 A1 US2020205471 A1 US 2020205471A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cutter assembly
- cigar
- cutter
- housing
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F13/00—Appliances for smoking cigars or cigarettes
- A24F13/24—Cigar cutters, slitters, or perforators, e.g. combined with lighters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F13/00—Appliances for smoking cigars or cigarettes
- A24F13/24—Cigar cutters, slitters, or perforators, e.g. combined with lighters
- A24F13/26—Cigar cutters, slitters, or perforators, e.g. combined with lighters formed as pocket devices
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a cutter assembly for use with a cigar and other smoking related products.
- a cutter assembly for cutting a cigar or any other type of rolled or compacted smoking product.
- the cutter assembly includes a housing having a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a motor and/or a cutter assembly therein.
- Drivingly connected to the motor is an output shaft.
- At least a portion of the cutter assembly is connected to or integrally formed as part of the output shaft.
- the cutter assembly is operably configured to cut and/or remove at least a portion of the cigar, the rolled smoking product, and/or the compacted smoking product as needed by the user.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cigar cutter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure where the cigar cutter assembly partially disassembled;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 where the cigar cutter is assembled;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic top-plan view of a portion of a housing of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the disclosure;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic top-plan view the portion of the housing of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 having one or more components of the cigar cutter assembly installed therein;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view a cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure
- FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view a cleaning tool and one or more stopper members of the cutter assembly illustrated in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the cutter assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the disclosure when the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members are in a first position;
- FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the cutter assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 of the disclosure when the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members are in a second position;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view of a portion of the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet a further embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members of the cutter assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure
- FIG. 13 is a schematic top-plan view of the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members of the cutter assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet a further embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 18 is a schematic front-view the cigar cutter assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 19 is a schematic side-view of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated in FIG. 18 of the disclosure.
- FIGS. 1-5 provide a schematic illustration of a cigar cutter assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 described and illustrated herein may be used with cigars of various shapes, sizes, and compositions. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the cigar (not shown) may have elongated generally cylindrical body with a head portion and a foot portion. According to an embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the head portion of the cigar (not shown) may have a substantially rounded shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, or of another type of shape. Cigars also typically include a wrapper that is used to hold the rolled tobacco leaves in a tightly compact manner.
- the head portion of the wrapper has a closed end that gets cut and the foot portion of the wrapper has an open end that is lit with an ignition source.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 may be used in order to cut the head portion of the cigar (not shown). While the cigar cutter assembly 10 is described as being used in connection with a cigar, this is for exemplary purposes only. In fact, it is within the scope of this disclosure that the cigar cutter assembly 10 may be used in connection with any type of rolled or compacted smokable products.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 may include a housing 12 having a size and shape to receive and/or retain one or more components of the cigar cutter assembly 10 therein.
- the housing 12 may have a substantially rectangular prism shape. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 may have one or more rounded and/or chamfered edges in order to make the housing 12 more comfortable to hold when being used.
- the housing 12 may have a first housing member 14 and a second housing member 16 .
- the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain one or more components of the cigar cutter assembly 10 therein. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 may be selectively connectable and disconnectable to and from each other. When the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 of the housing 12 are disconnected from each other as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the user (not shown) is able to access one or more components of the cigar cutter assembly 10 for repair and/or replacement.
- At least a portion of the first housing member 14 may be attached or connected to at least a portion of the second housing member 16 by using one or more mechanical fasteners 18 , one or more magnetic connections, one or more elastically deformable catch connections, one or more elastically deformable snap-fit connections, one or more locking connections, one or more latch connections, one or more press-fit connections, and/or one or more welds.
- the one or more mechanical fasteners 18 may be inserted through one or more mechanical fastener apertures 20 extending from an inner surface 22 to an outer surface 24 of the first housing member 14 .
- the one or more mechanical fasteners 18 may be threadingly engaged with one or more mechanical fastener receiving portions 26 extending inward from an inner surface 32 of the second portion 16 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more mechanical fastener apertures 20 in the first housing member 14 are aligned with the one or more mechanical fastener receiving portions 26 in the second housing member 16 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more mechanical fasteners 18 and therefore the one or more mechanical fastener apertures 24 and the one or more mechanical fastener receiving portions 26 , may be located in a first end portion 28 and/or a second end portion 30 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more mechanical fasteners 18 threadingly engaging with at least a portion of the second housing member 16 of the housing 12
- the reverse connection may be true. It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more mechanical fastener apertures 20 may be in the second housing member 16 of the housing 12 and the one or more mechanical fastener receiving portions 26 may be in the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more mechanical fastener apertures 20 may be in the second housing member 16 of the housing 12 and the one or more mechanical fastener receiving portions 26 may be in the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- at least a portion of the one or more mechanical fasteners 18 may be threadingly engaged with at least a portion of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 may include an outer wall portion 34 that extends outward from at least a portion of the inner surface 22 of the first portion 14 of the housing 12 .
- the outer wall portion 34 may extend along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the first housing member 14 .
- the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 may extend toward the second housing member 16 of the housing 12 .
- the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 aids in defining one or more chambers within the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- first ribs 40 Extending from a first side 36 toward a second side 38 of the first end portion 28 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 , is one or more first ribs 40 .
- the one or more first ribs 40 may extend from at least a portion of the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 .
- the one or more first ribs 40 may provide a connection between the outer wall portion 34 on the first side 36 of the first housing member 14 and the outer wall portion 34 of the second side 38 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more first ribs 40 may provide the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 with an amount of structural rigidity needed to increase the overall life and durability of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more first ribs 40 may extend substantially parallel to each other.
- the one or more first ribs 40 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 may include one or more receiving portions 42 .
- the one or more receiving portions 42 in the one or more first ribs 40 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a cutter assembly 44 therein.
- the one or more receiving portions 42 in the one or more first ribs 40 may be of a size and shape to received and/or retain at least a portion of a motor 46 and/or a gear assembly 48 of the cutter assembly 44 therein.
- the motor 46 may be an electric motor that upon receipt of an amount of electrical power converts the electrical power into an amount of rotational power that is used to drive the gear assembly 48 , which in turn drives an output shaft 50 .
- the output shaft 50 Upon receipt of an amount of rotational power from the gear assembly 48 , the output shaft 50 is able to rotate relative to the housing 12 about a rotational axis R extending through the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the motor may be a DC motor.
- the rotational speed and torque of the output shaft 50 may be varied or controlled by the user by varying the amount of electrical power that is fed to the motor 46 when in operation.
- the gear assembly 48 may include a plurality of gears that are operably configured to provide a desired gear ratio.
- the gear ratio of the gear assembly 48 aids in determining what will be the final rotational speed and torque of the output shaft 50 of the cutter assembly 44 which aids in providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 that is able to cut the cigar (not shown) in a controlled, clean, consistent, and efficient manner.
- the gear ratio may be 5 to 1, may be between 5 to 1 and 100 to 1, may be between 25 to 1 and 75 to 1, and/or may be 50 to 1.
- the gear assembly 48 may be a reduction gear set.
- At least a portion of the output shaft 50 of the cutter assembly 44 may extend from within an interior 54 of the housing 12 outside the housing 12 .
- the output shaft 50 may extent through an output shaft aperture 52 in the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 .
- the output shaft aperture 52 may be located in a first end 54 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the output shaft aperture 52 may aid in providing the output shaft 50 with an amount of support needed to prevent the output shaft 50 from bending or breaking thereby aiding in improving the overall life and durability of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the output shaft 50 of the cutter assembly 44 illustrated in FIG. 4 extends outside the housing 12 , it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the entire cutter assembly 44 may be disposed within a first chamber 58 in the first end portion 28 of the first housing member 14 . As a result, it is therefore to be understood that the cutting of the cigar (not shown) may occur internally within the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the one or more second ribs 56 may extend from at least a portion of the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 . Additionally, the one or more second ribs 56 may provide a connection between the outer wall portion 34 on the first side 36 of the first housing member 14 and the outer wall portion 34 of the second side 38 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 . The one or more second ribs 56 may provide the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 with an amount of structural rigidity needed to increase the overall life and durability of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more second ribs 56 may extend substantially parallel to the one or more first ribs 40 of the first housing member 14 .
- the one or more second ribs 56 in combination with the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 , may define the first chamber 58 within the first end portion 28 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the first chamber 58 may be of a size and shape to received and/or retain at least a portion of the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and/or the output shaft 50 of the cutter assembly 44 therein.
- at least a portion of the motor 46 of the cutter assembly 44 may be interposed between the one or more second ribs 56 and the gear assembly 48 of the cutter assembly 44 .
- the one or more second ribs 56 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 may include one or more motor mounting portions 60 .
- the one or more motor mounting portions 60 may be of a size and shape needed to aid in securely retaining the motor 46 within the first chamber 58 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more motor mounting portions 60 may be of a size and shape needed to ensure that the motor 46 and the gear assembly 48 are retained in their ideal operating position within the housing 12 once the cigar cutter assembly 10 has been assembled. As a result, at least a portion of the one or more motor mounting portions 60 may be in direct contact with and connected to at least a portion of the motor 46 of the cutter assembly 44 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the one or more motor mounting portions 60 may extend outward from at least a portion of the one or more second ribs 56 toward the motor 46 of the cutter assembly 44 and toward the one or more first ribs 40 of the first portion 14 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more motor mounting portions 60 may be an area of increased material thickness on the one or more second ribs 56 of the first housing member 14 .
- At least a portion of the one or more motor mounting portions 60 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 may be received and/or retained within at least a portion of the motor 46 in order to aid in securing the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and/or the output shaft 50 within the first chamber 58 .
- the second end portion 30 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 may include one or more third ribs 62 extending from the first side 36 to the second side 38 of the first housing member 14 .
- the one or more third ribs 62 may extend from at least a portion of the outer wall portion 34 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more third ribs 62 may provide a connection between the outer wall portion 34 on the first side 36 of the first housing member 14 and the outer wall portion 34 of the second side 38 of the first housing member 14 .
- the one or more third ribs 62 may provide the first housing member 14 with an amount of structural rigidity needed to increase the overall life and durability of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more third ribs 62 may extend substantially parallel to the one or more first ribs 40 and/or the one or more second ribs 56 of the first housing member 14 .
- the outer wall portion 34 , the one or more second ribs 56 , and the one or more third ribs 62 define a second chamber 64 within the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the second chamber 64 in the first housing member 14 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of one or more power sources 66 and/or a charging circuit 68 therein.
- the one or more power sources 66 may be in electrical communication with the motor 46 and may provide the electrical power needed to drive the motor 46 and therefore the cutter assembly 44 .
- the one or more power sources 66 may be one or more electric batteries, one or more batteries, one or more electro-chemical cells, one or more secondary cells, one or more rechargeable batteries, and/or one or more non-rechargeable batteries.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 may include an on/off switch 67 .
- the on/off switch 67 may be used to selectively allow a constant or a variable amount of electrical power to be transmitted from the one or more power sources 66 to the motor 46 . Additionally, the on/off switch 67 may be used in order to prevent an amount of electrical power from being transmitted from the one or more power sources 66 to the motor 46 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the on/or switch 67 may be used to selectively control the rotational speed of the output shaft 50 .
- the one or more power sources 66 may include one or more solar cells (not shown) or photovoltaic cells (not shown) that are connected to an outer surface 70 of the housing 12 .
- the one or more solar cells (not shown) or photovoltaic cells (not shown) may be operably configured to convert an amount of solar energy into an amount of electrical energy that may be stored within one or more batteries disposed within the second chamber 64 of the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- the energy stored within the one or more batteries of the one or more power sources 66 may be selectively used to drive the motor 46 and the cutter assembly 44 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the second end portion 30 of the first housing member 14 may include a third chamber 72 .
- the third chamber 72 may be defined by the outer wall portion 34 and the one or more third ribs 62 of the first housing member 14 .
- the first and third chambers 58 and 72 in the first housing member 14 may be disposed on opposing ends of the second chamber 64 in the first housing member 14 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 may include a charging member 74 that is in electrical communication with at least a portion of the one or more power sources 66 and/or the charging circuit 68 .
- the third receiving portion 72 may be of a size and shape to received and/or retain at least a portion of the charging member 74 therein.
- the one or more third ribs 62 may include one or more apertures 76 allowing for communication between the second and third chambers 64 and 72 and providing the space needed for the electrical connections between the charging member 74 , the charging circuit 68 and/or the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the outer wall portion 34 of the second end 78 of the first housing member 34 may include one or more charging apertures 80 therein.
- the one or more charging apertures 80 in the outer wall portion 34 of the second end 78 of the first housing member 14 may be of a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a charging connector (not shown) therein.
- the charging connector (not shown) and the charging member 74 are operably configured in order to transmit an amount of electrical power from a source of electrical power external from the cigar cutter assembly 10 to the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the charging connector (not shown) may be a USB charging cable, a DC charging cable, or any other type of connector or cable that is capable of transmitting an amount of electrical power from one source to another.
- the charging circuit 68 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 may be used in order to aid in preventing damage to the one or more power sources 66 . Additionally, the charging circuit 68 may be used in order to ensure and enable the safe transfer and storage of an amount of electric power to the cigar cutter assembly 10 . When provided, the charging circuit 68 may be in electrical communication with the charging member 74 and the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . The charging circuit 68 may be of the printed circuit board (PCP) variety.
- PCP printed circuit board
- the charging circuit 68 may be operably configured to prevent the one or more power sources 66 from being over charged and/or to prevent the one or more power sources 66 from being over-discharged which aids in increasing the overall life and durability of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cutter assembly 44 may include a cutter 76 that is rotatable relative to the housing 12 along the rotational axis R.
- the cutter 76 may be operably configured to cut and/or remove an amount of material from the cigar (not shown). At least a portion of the cutter 76 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of an end of the output shaft 50 opposite the gear assembly 48 .
- the cutter 76 may be connected to at least a portion of the output shaft 50 by using one or more welds, one or more mechanical fasteners, one or more adhesives, one or more press-fit connections, one or more snap-fit connections, and/or a threaded connection.
- the cutter 76 may include a body portion 78 having a first end 80 , a second end 82 , a first end portion 84 , a second end portion 86 , an intermediate portion 88 , an inner surface 90 , and an outer surface 92 .
- the output shaft receiving portion 94 of the cutter 76 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the output shaft 50 therein.
- the shape of the output shaft 50 and/or the shape of the output shaft receiving portion 94 of the cutter 76 may have a complementary shape needed to aid in providing a driving connection between the output shaft 50 and the cutter 76 .
- the cutter 76 may include a receiving portion 96 .
- the receiving portion 96 may extending inward into the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 from the outer surface 92 of the second end portion 86 of the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 .
- the receiving portion 96 may extend substantially transverse to the output shaft receiving portion 94 and may be in communication with at least a portion of the output shaft receiving portion 94 . As a result, the receiving portion 96 may provide access to the output shaft 50 within the output shaft receiving portion 94 .
- the receiving portion 96 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a locking member 98 therein which aids in securing the cutter 76 to the output shaft 50 .
- the locking member 98 may be a set screw, a mechanical fastener, a pin, and/or any other device that is capable of securing the cutter 76 relative to the output shaft 50 . It is therefore to be understood that at least a portion of the locking member 98 may be placed in a locking and/or an abutting relationship relative to the output shaft 50 in order to lock or secure the cutter 76 relative to the output shaft 50 . This allows the cutter 76 to be selectively removed and/or replaced as needed when the cutter 76 becomes damaged and/or worn.
- At least a portion of the cutter 76 may be disposed outside the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- at least a portion of the cutter 76 may extend from within the housing 12 through the output shaft aperture 52 in the housing 12 .
- At least a portion of the cutter 76 may be disposed within at least a portion of the housing 12 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that at least a portion of the cutter 76 may be disposed within at least a portion of the first chamber 58 in the first housing member 14 of the housing 12 .
- At least a portion of the first end portion 84 of the cutter 76 may include a cutter portion 100 that is operably configured to cut and/or remove an amount of the cigar (not shown).
- the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 may be of a size and shape needed in order to ensure that the cigar (not shown) is cut in a safely, reliable, repeatable, and efficient manner while preventing the wrapper (not shown) of the cigar (not shown) from becoming torn during the cutting process.
- the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed a part of the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 of the cutter assembly 44 .
- the cutter portion 100 and/or the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 may be made of a corrosion resistant material, such as but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, a ceramic material, or any other type of corrosion resistant material. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, may include a razor like edge, may include a beveled edge, may include a chamfered edge, and/or may include one or more serrations. The cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 may be sharpenable in order to aid in extending the overall life of the cutter 76 .
- the cutter 76 may include a cigar receiving portion 102 having a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the cigar (not shown) therein. As best seen in FIG. 5 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the cigar receiving portion 102 may extend inward into the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 toward the output shaft receiving portion 94 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the cigar receiving portion 102 may be substantially cylindrical in shape.
- the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 76 may have a diameter D 1 .
- the diameter D 1 of the cigar receiving portion 102 aids in defining the diameter of the cut within the cigar (not shown) that is created by the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 engages or cuts the cigar (not shown)
- at least a portion of the cutter 76 will be transitioned into the body of the cigar (not shown) and at least a portion of the cigar (not shown) will be received within the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 76 .
- the portion of the cigar (not shown) therein may be frictionally engaged with the inner surface 90 of the cutter 76 .
- the diameter D 1 may be 1.59 millimeters (mm) or approximately 12.7 mm to approximately 1.59 mm.
- the cutter 76 may include one or more stopper members 104 and/or a centering member 105 . At least a portion of the one or more stopper members 104 may be of a size and shape to be received and/or retained within at least a portion of the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 76 .
- the one or more stopper members 104 may be used in order to limit the overall depth of the cut made by the cutter 76 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 and may therefore aid in determining the amount of cigar (not shown) that is able to be received by the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 76 .
- the one or more stopper members 104 may be substantially annular or cylindrical in shape. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more stopper members 104 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 of the cutter assembly 44 .
- the one or more stopper members 104 may have a first surface 106 and a second surface 108 .
- the cigar (not shown) cut and disposed within the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 76 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of a first surface 106 facing the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 .
- This interaction between the first surface 106 of the one or more stopper members 104 and the cigar (not shown) aids in limiting the overall depth of the cut made by the cigar cutter assembly 10 into the cigar (not shown).
- the first surface 106 of the one or more stopper members 104 may be substantially flat, may have a contoured, or may have a profiled shape.
- the second surface 108 of the one or more stopper members 104 When assembled, at least a portion of the second surface 108 of the one or more stopper members 104 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of a bottom surface 110 of the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 76 . Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the second surface 108 of the one or more stopper members 104 may seal off or close off at least a portion of the output shaft receiving portion 94 in the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 . As a result, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more stopper members 104 may provide a positive stop and may therefore limit the overall amount of the output shaft 50 that is received within the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 .
- the one or more stopper members 104 may provide a connection between the output shaft 50 and the cutter 76 thereby aiding in fixing the cutter 76 relative to the output shaft 50 .
- at least a portion of the output shaft 50 may be in direct contact with or integrally connected to at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 104 .
- At least a portion of the output shaft 50 may be connected to at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 104 by using one or more welds, a threaded connection, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, a pinned connection, and/or by using one or more adhesives.
- the centering member 105 may be disposed along the axis of rotation R of the cigar cutter assembly 10 and may extend concentric with the cutter 76 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, the centering member 105 may extend from within the cigar receiving portion 102 to outside the cigar receiving portion 102 such that at least a portion of a first end portion 112 of the centering member 105 is disposed outward from the first end 80 of the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 . The centering member 105 may be utilized in order to aid in ensuring that the cutter 76 cuts the cigar (not shown) in the desired location.
- the centering member 105 may also aid in preventing the cutter 76 from wobbling or swaying relative to the rotational axis R when the cutter assembly 10 is in operation. This aids in providing a cutter assembly 10 that is able to provide a clean, efficient, reliable, repeatable cut every time the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used.
- the centering member 105 of the cutter 76 may include the use of a protective cap 116 .
- the protective cap 116 may be selectively attachable and detachable to and from at least a portion of the first end portion 112 of the centering member 105 , to at least a portion of the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 , and/or to at least a portion of the first end portion 84 of the cutter 76 .
- the protective cap 116 aids in preventing the centering member 105 and/or the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 76 from inadvertently cutting the user (not shown) of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the protective cap 116 may be detached from the cigar cutter assembly 10 and when the cigar cutter assembly 10 is not in use the protective cap 116 may be attached to at least a portion of the cutter 76 .
- At least a portion of the second end portion 114 of the centering member 105 may be connected to or integrally formed as part of the one or more stopper members 104 or the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 . This aids in ensuring that the centering member 105 is retained relative to the cutter 76 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the second end portion 114 of the centering member 105 may be imbedded or disposed within at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 104 .
- the second end portion 114 may be connected to at least a portion of the body portion 78 of the cutter 76 or the one or more stopper members 104 by using a threaded connection, one or more welds, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, a pinned connection, and/or one or more adhesives.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view of a cutter 200 of the cutter assembly 44 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cutter 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 is the same as the cutter 76 illustrated in FIG. 5 , except where specifically noted below.
- the cutter 200 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown).
- the body portion 78 of the cutter 200 may include one or more slots 202 therein.
- the one or more slots 202 may extend from the first end 80 of the body portion 78 of the cutter 200 into the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 200 toward the output shaft receiving portion 94 .
- the one or more slots 202 in the cutter 200 may be of a size and shape to receive at least a portion of a cleaning tool (not shown) or the user's finger (not shown) therein. This provides the user (not shown) with an amount of access needed to clean or clear the amount of cigar (not shown) cut therefrom from within the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 200 .
- the cleaning tool may be an elongated pick type member, an elongated member with a hook portion, an elongated member with a digger portion, or any other type of member capable of removing an amount of cigar (not shown) cut from the cigar (not shown) from within the cigar receiving portion 102 .
- the one or more slots 202 in the cutter 200 aid in providing a cigar cutter 10 that is able to reliably and consistently cut the cigar (not shown) in the same way and in the same location each time the cigar cutter 10 is used.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view of a cutter 300 of the cutter assembly 44 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cutter 300 illustrated in FIG. 7 is the same as the cutter 76 and 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , except where specifically noted below.
- the cutter 300 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown).
- the body portion 78 of the cutter 300 may include one or more slots 302 therein.
- the one or more slots 302 may extend along at least a portion of the length of the cigar receiving portion 102 in the body portion 78 of the cutter 300 .
- the one or more slots 302 in the cutter 300 may be of a size and shape to receive at least a portion of a cleaning tool (not shown) or the user's finger (not shown) therein. This provides the user (not shown) with an amount of access needed to clean or clear the amount of cigar (not shown) cut therefrom from within the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 300 . It is therefore to be understood that the one or more slots 302 in the cutter 300 aid in providing a cigar cutter 10 that is able to reliably and consistently cut the cigar (not shown) in the same way and in the same location each time the cigar cutter 10 is used.
- the one or more slots 302 in the cutter 300 may not extend to the first end 80 or through the cutter portion 100 of the cutter 300 . This aids in providing a substantially continuous cutting surface for the cutter 300 . It is therefore to be understood that the one or more slots 302 in the cutter 300 aid in providing a cigar cutter 10 that is able to reliably and consistently cut the cigar (not shown) in the same way and in the same location each time the cigar cutter 10 is used.
- FIGS. 8-10A provide a schematic illustration of a cutter 400 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cutter 400 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10A is the same as the cutter 76 , 200 , and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 , except where specifically noted below.
- the cutter 400 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown).
- the cutter 400 may include one or more stopper members 402 , a cleaning tool 404 , and/or the one or more slots 302 in the body portion 78 of the cutter 400 .
- the cleaning tool 404 may be a substantially cylindrical member that is disposed concentric with the cutter 400 along the rotational axis R.
- the cleaning tool 404 may include a substantially hollow interior portion 406 having a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the cutter 400 therein. Additionally, at least a portion of the cleaning tool 404 may be disposed outboard form the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 400 .
- At least a portion of the one or more stopper members 402 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of the cleaning tool 404 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the one or more stopper members 402 may extend from one side of the cleaning tool 404 through the substantially hollow interior portion 406 to the opposite side of the cleaning tool 404 .
- the one or more stopper members 404 may be used in order to limit the overall depth of the cut made by the cutter 400 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 and may therefore aid in determining the amount of cigar (not shown) that is able to be received by the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 400 .
- the one or more stopper members 402 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, substantially bar-like shape, substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and/or a substantially polygonal shape.
- the one or more slots 302 in the cutter 400 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 402 therein.
- the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 are disposed proximate to a first end portion 412 of the one or more slots 302 , the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 are in the first cutting position 408 .
- the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 are disposed proximate to a second end portion 414 of the one or more slots 302 , the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 are in the second cleaning position 410 .
- the overall length L and location of the one or more slots 302 in the cutter 400 may aid in defining the overall depth of the cut made by the cutter 400 .
- the overall length L of the one or more slots 302 may aid in determining the ease, effectiveness, and ability of the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 to clean out the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 400 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is ready the cigar cutting position.
- the cutter 400 may be rotated by the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and output shaft 50 thereby cutting the cigar (not shown) until at least portion of the cigar (not shown) contacts at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 402 .
- the motor 46 may be turned off by the on/off switch 67 thereby stopping the cutter 400 from rotating and cutting the cigar (not shown).
- the cutting process has been completed and the cigar cutter assembly 10 may be removed from within the cigar (not shown).
- the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 may be transitioned from the first position 408 illustrated in FIG. 10 to the second position 410 illustrated in FIG. 10 A.
- the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 are transitioned from the first position 408 to the second position 410 , at least a portion of the portion of the cigar (not shown) cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) may be transitioned out of the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 400 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 with a cutter 400 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing the cigar cutter assembly 10 with the cutter 400 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown).
- FIG. 11 provide a schematic illustration of a cutter 500 according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cutter 500 illustrated in FIG. 11 is the same as the cutter 76 , 200 , 300 , and 400 illustrated in FIGS. 5-10A , except where specifically noted below.
- the cutter 500 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown).
- the cutter 500 may include one or more biasing members 502 .
- the one or more biasing members 502 may be used in order to aid in selectively transitioning the cutter 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 from the second position 410 back to the second position 408 .
- at least a portion of the first end portion 504 of the one or more biasing members 502 may be integrally connected to at least a portion of the body portion 78 of the cutter 500 at or near a bottom portion 506 of the cigar receiving portion 102 of the cutter 500 .
- At least a portion of the second end portion 506 of the one or more biasing members 502 may be integrally connected to at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 402 and/or the cleaning tool 404 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the one or more biasing members 502 are loaded with an amount of energy.
- the cleaning tool 404 and/or the one or more stopper members 402 may be released by the user (not shown) allowing the energy stored within the one or more biasing members 502 to be released.
- the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 402 are transitioned back to the first position 408 by the one or more biasing members 502 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 with a cutter 500 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing the cigar cutter assembly 10 with the cutter 500 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown) making the cigar cutter assembly 10 more user friendly.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the cleaning tool 404 having one or more stopper members 602 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cleaning tool 404 and the one or more stopper members 602 illustrated in FIG. 12 are the same as the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members described and illustrated in relation to FIGS. 1-11 , except where specifically noted below.
- the one or more stopper members 602 may extend inward from at least a portion of an inner surface 606 of the cleaning tool 404 .
- the one or more stopper members 602 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, substantially bar-like shape, substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and/or a substantially polygonal shape.
- the one or more stopper members 602 do not extend all of the way through the interior portion 406 of the cleaning tool 404 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more stopper members 602 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of the cleaning tool 404 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 . As a non-limiting example, the one or more stopper members 602 may be connected to at least a portion of the cleaning tool 404 by using one or more welds, one or more adhesives, a threaded connection, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, and/or a pinned connection.
- the one or more stopper members 602 may be of a size and shape to be received and/or retained within at least a portion of the one or more slots 302 .
- at least a portion of the one or more stopper members 602 , the cleaning tool 404 , and/or the cutter 300 , 400 , or 500 may be elastically deformed until the one or more stopper members 602 are aligned with the one or more slots 302 .
- the one or more stopper members 602 will extend into the one or more slots thereby aiding in fixing the cleaning tool 404 relative to the cutter 300 , 400 , or 500 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 with a cleaning tool 404 and one or more stopper members 602 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used.
- the cigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown) making the cigar cutter assembly 10 more user friendly.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaning tool 704 and one or more stopper members 702 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the cleaning tool 704 and the one or more stopper members 702 illustrated in FIG. 13 are the same as the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members described and illustrated in relation to FIGS. 1-12 , except where specifically noted below.
- one or more support members 706 may extend from one side of the cleaning tool 404 , through the hollow interior portion 406 of the cleaning tool 404 , to the opposite side of the cleaning tool 404 .
- the one or more slots 302 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the one or more support members 706 therein.
- the one or more support members 706 may be connected to or integrally formed as part of the cleaning tool 404 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the one or more support members 706 may be connected to at least a portion of the cleaning tool 404 by using one or more welds, one or more adhesives, a threaded connection, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, and/or a pinned connection.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 may further include the use of one or more stopper members 702 that are received and/or retained within at least a portion of the cigar receiving portion 102 .
- the one or more stopper members may be connected to or integrally formed as part of the one or more support members 706 .
- the one or more stopper members 702 may provide a positive stop of the cigar (not shown) within the cigar receiving portion 102 during the cutting process. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more stopper members 702 may be substantially disc-shaped.
- the one or more stopper members 702 may have a cross-sectional shape that is defined by a diameter D 2 .
- the diameter D 2 of the one or more stopper members 702 may be substantially equal to or less than the diameter D 1 of the cigar receiving portion 102 .
- the one or more stopper members 702 may substantially seal off at least a portion of the cigar receiving portion 102 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 with a cleaning tool 404 and one or more stopper members 702 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used.
- the cigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown) making the cigar cutter assembly 10 more user friendly.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter 10 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the one or more power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a parallel arrangement relative to each other.
- the charging member 74 may be disposed proximate to a first end 801 of the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially the same as, or transverse to, the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 .
- the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may be disposed proximate a second end 805 of the one or more sources of power 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the rotational axis R of the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing the cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown).
- FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter 10 according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the one or more power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a coaxial arrangement or an end-to-end arrangement relative to each other.
- the charging member 74 may be disposed proximate to the first end 801 of the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation R. Furthermore, the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite to, or is substantially transverse to, the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 .
- the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may be disposed proximate the second end 805 of the one or more sources of power 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the rotational axis R of the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing the cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown).
- FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter 10 according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the one or more power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a parallel arrangement relative to each other.
- the charging member 74 may be disposed proximate to and outboard from a body portion 808 of the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially parallel to, or substantially transverse to, the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation R. Furthermore, the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 .
- the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may be disposed proximate and outboard from the body portion 808 of the one or more sources of power 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the rotational axis R of the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to or substantially transverse to the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing the cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown).
- FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter 10 according to still yet a further embodiment of the disclosure.
- the one or more power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a parallel arrangement relative to each other.
- the charging member 74 may be disposed proximate to the first end 801 of the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially parallel to, or substantially transverse to, or substantially co-axial with the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may extend substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation R. Furthermore, the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 . It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the plug-in portion 803 of the charging member 74 may open in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction to which the output shaft 50 extends from the gear assembly 48 . In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
- the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may be disposed proximate and outboard from the body portion 808 of the one or more sources of power 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the rotational axis R of the motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the output shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to, or substantially transverse to, the one or more power sources 66 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing a cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that the cigar cutter assembly 10 is used.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown).
- FIGS. 18 and 19 provide a schematic perspective view of the cigar cutter assembly 10 having a housing 900 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the housing 900 illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 is the same as the housing 12 described and illustrated in relation to FIGS. 1-17 , except where specifically noted below.
- the housing 900 of the cigar cutter assembly 10 may include one or more first receiving portions 902 in an outer surface 901 of the housing 900 .
- the one or more first receiving portions 902 in the outer surface 901 of the housing 900 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a cleaning tool 904 therein.
- the cleaning tool 904 may be of a size and shape needed to clean out an amount of the cigar cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) from within the cigar receiving portion 102 after the cutting process has been completed. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more first receiving portions 902 may extend substantially parallel to the rotational axis R of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 may include one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 .
- the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 may be used in order to retain and secure the cleaning tool 904 relative to the housing 900 when the cleaning tool 904 is not in use by the user (not shown).
- the cleaning tool 904 may be interposed between the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 and the outer surface 901 of the housing 900 .
- the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 may is disposed substantially parallel to each other and/or substantially transverse to the cleaning tool 904 and the one or more first receiving portions 902 when installed on the housing 900 .
- the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 may be one or more O-rings, one or more rubber bands, one or more elastomeric members, one or more rubber members, one or more polymeric members, or any other type of member that is able to secure the cleaning tool 904 relative to the housing 900 .
- the housing 900 may include one or more second receiving portions 908 circumferentially extending along the outer surface 901 of the housing 900 .
- the one or more second receiving portions 908 may be of a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 therein. This aids in ensuring that the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 and the cleaning tool 904 are secured relative to the housing 900 .
- the one or more cleaning tool retention members 906 aid in ensuring that the cleaning tool 904 is securedly retained relative to the housing 900 at all times when the cleaning tool 904 is not in use. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more second receiving portions 908 may be disposed parallel to each other.
- the one or more second receiving portions 908 may be disposed substantially transverse to the cleaning tool 904 and the one or more first receiving portions 902 in the outer surface 901 of the housing 900 .
- the cleaning tool 904 may be securedly retained within at least a portion of the housing of the cigar cutter assembly 10 .
- the cleaning tool 904 may be received and/or retained within a cleaning tool receiving portion (not shown) extending into the housing.
- a cleaning tool receiving portion not shown
- at least a portion of the cleaning tool 904 may be disposed within the housing 900 in a manner similar to a stylus.
- the cigar cutter assembly 10 is a self contained integrated assembly that includes a way to store the cleaning tool 904 . This aids in ensuring that the cleaning tool 904 is not lost and is quickly and easily assessable to the user (not shown) when the amount of cigar (not shown) cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) during the cutting process needs to be cleaned from within the cigar receiving portion 102 .
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Abstract
Description
- The present application claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/786,939 filed on Dec. 31, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to a cutter assembly for use with a cigar and other smoking related products.
- Various cigar cutters are known in the art. However, the conventional cigar cutters known in the art are inefficient, cause an undesirable amount of damage portions of the cigar during cutting, and are dangerous to use. In particular, conventional cigar cutters expose the user's fingers to a number of sharp objects which tends to result in a number of cuts or lacerations to the user's figures during operation of the conventional cigar cutter. In more severe cases, the operation of the conventional cigar cutters can cause at least a portion of the user's figure to be unintentionally cut off. Additionally, conventional cigar cutter assemblies are unreliable and are unable to provide the user with a consistent cut from one use to another.
- It would therefore be advantageous to develop a cutter assembly that can safely and efficiently cut a cigar. Additionally, it would be advantageous to develop a cutter assembly that is able to reliably and consistently cut a cigar the same way and in the same location every time it is used.
- A cutter assembly for cutting a cigar or any other type of rolled or compacted smoking product. The cutter assembly includes a housing having a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a motor and/or a cutter assembly therein. Drivingly connected to the motor is an output shaft. At least a portion of the cutter assembly is connected to or integrally formed as part of the output shaft. The cutter assembly is operably configured to cut and/or remove at least a portion of the cigar, the rolled smoking product, and/or the compacted smoking product as needed by the user.
- The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cigar cutter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure where the cigar cutter assembly partially disassembled; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated inFIG. 1 where the cigar cutter is assembled; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic top-plan view of a portion of a housing of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 of the disclosure; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic top-plan view the portion of the housing of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated inFIG. 3 having one or more components of the cigar cutter assembly installed therein; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view a cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view a cleaning tool and one or more stopper members of the cutter assembly illustrated inFIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the cutter assembly according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9 of the disclosure when the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members are in a first position; -
FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the cutter assembly according to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8-10 of the disclosure when the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members are in a second position; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view of a portion of the cutter assembly of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet a further embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members of the cutter assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic top-plan view of the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members of the cutter assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cigar cutter assembly according to still yet a further embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 18 is a schematic front-view the cigar cutter assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure; and -
FIG. 19 is a schematic side-view of the cigar cutter assembly illustrated inFIG. 18 of the disclosure. - It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific assemblies and devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Also, although they may not be, like elements in various embodiments described herein may be commonly referred to with like reference numerals within this section of the application.
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FIGS. 1-5 provide a schematic illustration of acigar cutter assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Thecigar cutter assembly 10 described and illustrated herein may be used with cigars of various shapes, sizes, and compositions. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the cigar (not shown) may have elongated generally cylindrical body with a head portion and a foot portion. According to an embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the head portion of the cigar (not shown) may have a substantially rounded shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, or of another type of shape. Cigars also typically include a wrapper that is used to hold the rolled tobacco leaves in a tightly compact manner. The head portion of the wrapper has a closed end that gets cut and the foot portion of the wrapper has an open end that is lit with an ignition source. Thecigar cutter assembly 10 may be used in order to cut the head portion of the cigar (not shown). While thecigar cutter assembly 10 is described as being used in connection with a cigar, this is for exemplary purposes only. In fact, it is within the scope of this disclosure that thecigar cutter assembly 10 may be used in connection with any type of rolled or compacted smokable products. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecigar cutter assembly 10 may include ahousing 12 having a size and shape to receive and/or retain one or more components of thecigar cutter assembly 10 therein. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thehousing 12 may have a substantially rectangular prism shape. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 may have one or more rounded and/or chamfered edges in order to make thehousing 12 more comfortable to hold when being used. - As best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thehousing 12 may have afirst housing member 14 and asecond housing member 16. Thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain one or more components of thecigar cutter assembly 10 therein. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thefirst housing member 14 and thesecond housing member 16 may be selectively connectable and disconnectable to and from each other. When thefirst housing member 14 and thesecond housing member 16 of thehousing 12 are disconnected from each other as illustrated inFIG. 1 , the user (not shown) is able to access one or more components of thecigar cutter assembly 10 for repair and/or replacement. As a non-limiting example, at least a portion of thefirst housing member 14 may be attached or connected to at least a portion of thesecond housing member 16 by using one or moremechanical fasteners 18, one or more magnetic connections, one or more elastically deformable catch connections, one or more elastically deformable snap-fit connections, one or more locking connections, one or more latch connections, one or more press-fit connections, and/or one or more welds. - According to the embodiment where the first and
second housing members mechanical fasteners 18, the one or moremechanical fasteners 18 may be inserted through one or moremechanical fastener apertures 20 extending from aninner surface 22 to anouter surface 24 of thefirst housing member 14. Once through the one or more mechanical fastener apertures 20 in thefirst housing member 14, at least a portion of the one or moremechanical fasteners 18 may be threadingly engaged with one or more mechanicalfastener receiving portions 26 extending inward from aninner surface 32 of thesecond portion 16 of thehousing 12. It is to be understood that the one or moremechanical fastener apertures 20 in thefirst housing member 14 are aligned with the one or more mechanicalfastener receiving portions 26 in thesecond housing member 16 of thehousing 12. As a non-limiting example that the one or moremechanical fasteners 18, and therefore the one or moremechanical fastener apertures 24 and the one or more mechanicalfastener receiving portions 26, may be located in afirst end portion 28 and/or asecond end portion 30 of thehousing 12. - While the above described relationship describes the one or more
mechanical fasteners 18 threadingly engaging with at least a portion of thesecond housing member 16 of thehousing 12, it is within the scope of this disclosure that the reverse connection may be true. It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or moremechanical fastener apertures 20 may be in thesecond housing member 16 of thehousing 12 and the one or more mechanicalfastener receiving portions 26 may be in thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. As a result, at least a portion of the one or moremechanical fasteners 18 may be threadingly engaged with at least a portion of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. - The
first housing member 14 of thehousing 12 may include anouter wall portion 34 that extends outward from at least a portion of theinner surface 22 of thefirst portion 14 of thehousing 12. As best seen inFIG. 3 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, theouter wall portion 34 may extend along at least a portion of the outer periphery of thefirst housing member 14. When thefirst housing member 14 is assembled relative to thesecond housing member 16 of thehousing 12, theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14 may extend toward thesecond housing member 16 of thehousing 12. Theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14 aids in defining one or more chambers within thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. - Extending from a
first side 36 toward asecond side 38 of thefirst end portion 28 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12, is one or morefirst ribs 40. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the one or morefirst ribs 40 may extend from at least a portion of theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14. Additionally, the one or morefirst ribs 40 may provide a connection between theouter wall portion 34 on thefirst side 36 of thefirst housing member 14 and theouter wall portion 34 of thesecond side 38 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. The one or morefirst ribs 40 may provide thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 with an amount of structural rigidity needed to increase the overall life and durability of thecigar cutter assembly 10. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or morefirst ribs 40 may extend substantially parallel to each other. - As best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4 and as a non-limiting example, the one or morefirst ribs 40 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 may include one ormore receiving portions 42. The one ormore receiving portions 42 in the one or morefirst ribs 40 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of acutter assembly 44 therein. In particular, the one ormore receiving portions 42 in the one or morefirst ribs 40 may be of a size and shape to received and/or retain at least a portion of amotor 46 and/or agear assembly 48 of thecutter assembly 44 therein. Themotor 46 may be an electric motor that upon receipt of an amount of electrical power converts the electrical power into an amount of rotational power that is used to drive thegear assembly 48, which in turn drives anoutput shaft 50. Upon receipt of an amount of rotational power from thegear assembly 48, theoutput shaft 50 is able to rotate relative to thehousing 12 about a rotational axis R extending through thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the motor may be a DC motor. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the rotational speed and torque of theoutput shaft 50 may be varied or controlled by the user by varying the amount of electrical power that is fed to themotor 46 when in operation. - The
gear assembly 48 may include a plurality of gears that are operably configured to provide a desired gear ratio. The gear ratio of thegear assembly 48 aids in determining what will be the final rotational speed and torque of theoutput shaft 50 of thecutter assembly 44 which aids in providing acigar cutter assembly 10 that is able to cut the cigar (not shown) in a controlled, clean, consistent, and efficient manner. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the gear ratio may be 5 to 1, may be between 5 to 1 and 100 to 1, may be between 25 to 1 and 75 to 1, and/or may be 50 to 1. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thegear assembly 48 may be a reduction gear set. - At least a portion of the
output shaft 50 of thecutter assembly 44 may extend from within an interior 54 of thehousing 12 outside thehousing 12. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4 and as a non-limiting example, theoutput shaft 50 may extent through anoutput shaft aperture 52 in theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14. Theoutput shaft aperture 52 may be located in afirst end 54 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. Additionally, theoutput shaft aperture 52 may aid in providing theoutput shaft 50 with an amount of support needed to prevent theoutput shaft 50 from bending or breaking thereby aiding in improving the overall life and durability of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - While the
output shaft 50 of thecutter assembly 44 illustrated inFIG. 4 extends outside thehousing 12, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that theentire cutter assembly 44 may be disposed within afirst chamber 58 in thefirst end portion 28 of thefirst housing member 14. As a result, it is therefore to be understood that the cutting of the cigar (not shown) may occur internally within thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - Extending from the
first side 36 to thesecond side 38 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 is one or moresecond ribs 56. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the one or moresecond ribs 56 may extend from at least a portion of theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. Additionally, the one or moresecond ribs 56 may provide a connection between theouter wall portion 34 on thefirst side 36 of thefirst housing member 14 and theouter wall portion 34 of thesecond side 38 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. The one or moresecond ribs 56 may provide thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 with an amount of structural rigidity needed to increase the overall life and durability of thecigar cutter assembly 10. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or moresecond ribs 56 may extend substantially parallel to the one or morefirst ribs 40 of thefirst housing member 14. - The one or more
second ribs 56, in combination with theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14, may define thefirst chamber 58 within thefirst end portion 28 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. As best seen inFIG. 4 and as a non-limiting example, thefirst chamber 58 may be of a size and shape to received and/or retain at least a portion of themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and/or theoutput shaft 50 of thecutter assembly 44 therein. Additionally, as best seen inFIG. 4 and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of themotor 46 of thecutter assembly 44 may be interposed between the one or moresecond ribs 56 and thegear assembly 48 of thecutter assembly 44. - The one or more
second ribs 56 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 may include one or moremotor mounting portions 60. The one or moremotor mounting portions 60 may be of a size and shape needed to aid in securely retaining themotor 46 within thefirst chamber 58 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. Additionally, the one or moremotor mounting portions 60 may be of a size and shape needed to ensure that themotor 46 and thegear assembly 48 are retained in their ideal operating position within thehousing 12 once thecigar cutter assembly 10 has been assembled. As a result, at least a portion of the one or moremotor mounting portions 60 may be in direct contact with and connected to at least a portion of themotor 46 of thecutter assembly 44 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 and as a non-limiting example, the one or moremotor mounting portions 60 may extend outward from at least a portion of the one or moresecond ribs 56 toward themotor 46 of thecutter assembly 44 and toward the one or morefirst ribs 40 of thefirst portion 14 of thehousing 12. As a result, it is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or moremotor mounting portions 60 may be an area of increased material thickness on the one or moresecond ribs 56 of thefirst housing member 14. At least a portion of the one or moremotor mounting portions 60 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 may be received and/or retained within at least a portion of themotor 46 in order to aid in securing themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and/or theoutput shaft 50 within thefirst chamber 58. - The
second end portion 30 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12 may include one or morethird ribs 62 extending from thefirst side 36 to thesecond side 38 of thefirst housing member 14. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4 and as a non-limiting example, the one or morethird ribs 62 may extend from at least a portion of theouter wall portion 34 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. Additionally, the one or morethird ribs 62 may provide a connection between theouter wall portion 34 on thefirst side 36 of thefirst housing member 14 and theouter wall portion 34 of thesecond side 38 of thefirst housing member 14. The one or morethird ribs 62 may provide thefirst housing member 14 with an amount of structural rigidity needed to increase the overall life and durability of thecigar cutter assembly 10. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or morethird ribs 62 may extend substantially parallel to the one or morefirst ribs 40 and/or the one or moresecond ribs 56 of thefirst housing member 14. - As best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, theouter wall portion 34, the one or moresecond ribs 56, and the one or morethird ribs 62 define asecond chamber 64 within thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. Thesecond chamber 64 in thefirst housing member 14 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of one ormore power sources 66 and/or a chargingcircuit 68 therein. The one ormore power sources 66 may be in electrical communication with themotor 46 and may provide the electrical power needed to drive themotor 46 and therefore thecutter assembly 44. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore power sources 66 may be one or more electric batteries, one or more batteries, one or more electro-chemical cells, one or more secondary cells, one or more rechargeable batteries, and/or one or more non-rechargeable batteries. - As best seen in
FIG. 2 and as a non-limiting example, thecigar cutter assembly 10 may include an on/offswitch 67. The on/offswitch 67 may be used to selectively allow a constant or a variable amount of electrical power to be transmitted from the one ormore power sources 66 to themotor 46. Additionally, the on/offswitch 67 may be used in order to prevent an amount of electrical power from being transmitted from the one ormore power sources 66 to themotor 46 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the on/or switch 67 may be used to selectively control the rotational speed of theoutput shaft 50. - In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure (not shown), the one or
more power sources 66 may include one or more solar cells (not shown) or photovoltaic cells (not shown) that are connected to anouter surface 70 of thehousing 12. The one or more solar cells (not shown) or photovoltaic cells (not shown) may be operably configured to convert an amount of solar energy into an amount of electrical energy that may be stored within one or more batteries disposed within thesecond chamber 64 of thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. The energy stored within the one or more batteries of the one ormore power sources 66 may be selectively used to drive themotor 46 and thecutter assembly 44 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - The
second end portion 30 of thefirst housing member 14 may include athird chamber 72. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thethird chamber 72 may be defined by theouter wall portion 34 and the one or morethird ribs 62 of thefirst housing member 14. As a result, it is therefore to be understood that the first andthird chambers first housing member 14 may be disposed on opposing ends of thesecond chamber 64 in thefirst housing member 14. - In accordance with the embodiment where the one or
more power sources 66 is one or more rechargeable batteries, thecigar cutter assembly 10 may include a chargingmember 74 that is in electrical communication with at least a portion of the one ormore power sources 66 and/or the chargingcircuit 68. As best seen inFIG. 4 and as a non-limiting example, the third receivingportion 72 may be of a size and shape to received and/or retain at least a portion of the chargingmember 74 therein. The one or morethird ribs 62 may include one ormore apertures 76 allowing for communication between the second andthird chambers member 74, the chargingcircuit 68 and/or the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - The
outer wall portion 34 of thesecond end 78 of thefirst housing member 34 may include one ormore charging apertures 80 therein. As best seen inFIG. 4 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore charging apertures 80 in theouter wall portion 34 of thesecond end 78 of thefirst housing member 14 may be of a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a charging connector (not shown) therein. It is therefore to be understood that the charging connector (not shown) and the chargingmember 74 are operably configured in order to transmit an amount of electrical power from a source of electrical power external from thecigar cutter assembly 10 to the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. As a non-limiting example that the charging connector (not shown) may be a USB charging cable, a DC charging cable, or any other type of connector or cable that is capable of transmitting an amount of electrical power from one source to another. - The charging
circuit 68 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 may be used in order to aid in preventing damage to the one ormore power sources 66. Additionally, the chargingcircuit 68 may be used in order to ensure and enable the safe transfer and storage of an amount of electric power to thecigar cutter assembly 10. When provided, the chargingcircuit 68 may be in electrical communication with the chargingmember 74 and the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The chargingcircuit 68 may be of the printed circuit board (PCP) variety. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the chargingcircuit 68 may be operably configured to prevent the one ormore power sources 66 from being over charged and/or to prevent the one ormore power sources 66 from being over-discharged which aids in increasing the overall life and durability of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - As best seen in
FIG. 5 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecutter assembly 44 may include acutter 76 that is rotatable relative to thehousing 12 along the rotational axis R. Thecutter 76 may be operably configured to cut and/or remove an amount of material from the cigar (not shown). At least a portion of thecutter 76 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of an end of theoutput shaft 50 opposite thegear assembly 48. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example, that thecutter 76 may be connected to at least a portion of theoutput shaft 50 by using one or more welds, one or more mechanical fasteners, one or more adhesives, one or more press-fit connections, one or more snap-fit connections, and/or a threaded connection. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecutter 76 may include abody portion 78 having afirst end 80, asecond end 82, afirst end portion 84, asecond end portion 86, anintermediate portion 88, aninner surface 90, and anouter surface 92. Extending inward into thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 of thecutter assembly 44 is an outputshaft receiving portion 94. The outputshaft receiving portion 94 of thecutter 76 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of theoutput shaft 50 therein. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the shape of theoutput shaft 50 and/or the shape of the outputshaft receiving portion 94 of thecutter 76 may have a complementary shape needed to aid in providing a driving connection between theoutput shaft 50 and thecutter 76. - The
cutter 76 may include a receivingportion 96. As best seen inFIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, the receivingportion 96 may extending inward into thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 from theouter surface 92 of thesecond end portion 86 of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76. The receivingportion 96 may extend substantially transverse to the outputshaft receiving portion 94 and may be in communication with at least a portion of the outputshaft receiving portion 94. As a result, the receivingportion 96 may provide access to theoutput shaft 50 within the outputshaft receiving portion 94. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the receivingportion 96 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of a lockingmember 98 therein which aids in securing thecutter 76 to theoutput shaft 50. As a non-limiting example, the lockingmember 98 may be a set screw, a mechanical fastener, a pin, and/or any other device that is capable of securing thecutter 76 relative to theoutput shaft 50. It is therefore to be understood that at least a portion of the lockingmember 98 may be placed in a locking and/or an abutting relationship relative to theoutput shaft 50 in order to lock or secure thecutter 76 relative to theoutput shaft 50. This allows thecutter 76 to be selectively removed and/or replaced as needed when thecutter 76 becomes damaged and/or worn. - According to an embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the
cutter 76 may be disposed outside thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. As a result, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that at least a portion of thecutter 76 may extend from within thehousing 12 through theoutput shaft aperture 52 in thehousing 12. - In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the
cutter 76 may be disposed within at least a portion of thehousing 12 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. It is therefore within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that at least a portion of thecutter 76 may be disposed within at least a portion of thefirst chamber 58 in thefirst housing member 14 of thehousing 12. - At least a portion of the
first end portion 84 of thecutter 76 may include acutter portion 100 that is operably configured to cut and/or remove an amount of the cigar (not shown). Thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76 may be of a size and shape needed in order to ensure that the cigar (not shown) is cut in a safely, reliable, repeatable, and efficient manner while preventing the wrapper (not shown) of the cigar (not shown) from becoming torn during the cutting process. Thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed a part of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 of thecutter assembly 44. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thecutter portion 100 and/or thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 may be made of a corrosion resistant material, such as but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, a ceramic material, or any other type of corrosion resistant material. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, may include a razor like edge, may include a beveled edge, may include a chamfered edge, and/or may include one or more serrations. Thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76 may be sharpenable in order to aid in extending the overall life of thecutter 76. - The
cutter 76 may include acigar receiving portion 102 having a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the cigar (not shown) therein. As best seen inFIG. 5 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecigar receiving portion 102 may extend inward into thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 toward the outputshaft receiving portion 94. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thecigar receiving portion 102 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. - The
cigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76 may have a diameter D1. The diameter D1 of thecigar receiving portion 102 aids in defining the diameter of the cut within the cigar (not shown) that is created by thecigar cutter assembly 10. As thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76 engages or cuts the cigar (not shown), at least a portion of thecutter 76 will be transitioned into the body of the cigar (not shown) and at least a portion of the cigar (not shown) will be received within thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76. Once within thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76, the portion of the cigar (not shown) therein may be frictionally engaged with theinner surface 90 of thecutter 76. This frictional engagement between thecutter 76 and the cigar (not shown) aids in ensuring that at least a portion of the cigar (not shown) is retained within thecigar receiving portion 102 after thecutter 76 has completed the cutting operation. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the diameter D1, or the cut made by thecutter 76 of thecigar cutter assembly 10, may be 1.59 millimeters (mm) or approximately 12.7 mm to approximately 1.59 mm. - As best seen in
FIG. 5 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecutter 76 may include one ormore stopper members 104 and/or a centeringmember 105. At least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 104 may be of a size and shape to be received and/or retained within at least a portion of thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76. The one ormore stopper members 104 may be used in order to limit the overall depth of the cut made by thecutter 76 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 and may therefore aid in determining the amount of cigar (not shown) that is able to be received by thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 104 may be substantially annular or cylindrical in shape. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 104 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 of thecutter assembly 44. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore stopper members 104 may have afirst surface 106 and asecond surface 108. When in operation at least a portion of the cigar (not shown) cut and disposed within thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of afirst surface 106 facing thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76. This interaction between thefirst surface 106 of the one ormore stopper members 104 and the cigar (not shown) aids in limiting the overall depth of the cut made by thecigar cutter assembly 10 into the cigar (not shown). It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thefirst surface 106 of the one ormore stopper members 104 may be substantially flat, may have a contoured, or may have a profiled shape. - When assembled, at least a portion of the
second surface 108 of the one ormore stopper members 104 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of abottom surface 110 of thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 76. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thesecond surface 108 of the one ormore stopper members 104 may seal off or close off at least a portion of the outputshaft receiving portion 94 in thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76. As a result, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 104 may provide a positive stop and may therefore limit the overall amount of theoutput shaft 50 that is received within thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76. It is also within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 104 may provide a connection between theoutput shaft 50 and thecutter 76 thereby aiding in fixing thecutter 76 relative to theoutput shaft 50. As a non-limiting example, when assembled, at least a portion of theoutput shaft 50 may be in direct contact with or integrally connected to at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 104. Additionally, as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of theoutput shaft 50 may be connected to at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 104 by using one or more welds, a threaded connection, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, a pinned connection, and/or by using one or more adhesives. - In accordance with the embodiment where the
cutter 76 includes a centeringmember 105, the centeringmember 105 may be disposed along the axis of rotation R of thecigar cutter assembly 10 and may extend concentric with thecutter 76. As illustrated inFIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, the centeringmember 105 may extend from within thecigar receiving portion 102 to outside thecigar receiving portion 102 such that at least a portion of afirst end portion 112 of the centeringmember 105 is disposed outward from thefirst end 80 of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76. The centeringmember 105 may be utilized in order to aid in ensuring that thecutter 76 cuts the cigar (not shown) in the desired location. The centeringmember 105 may also aid in preventing thecutter 76 from wobbling or swaying relative to the rotational axis R when thecutter assembly 10 is in operation. This aids in providing acutter assembly 10 that is able to provide a clean, efficient, reliable, repeatable cut every time thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. - According to an embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the centering
member 105 of thecutter 76 may include the use of aprotective cap 116. As illustrated inFIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of theprotective cap 116 may be selectively attachable and detachable to and from at least a portion of thefirst end portion 112 of the centeringmember 105, to at least a portion of thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76, and/or to at least a portion of thefirst end portion 84 of thecutter 76. Theprotective cap 116 aids in preventing the centeringmember 105 and/or thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 76 from inadvertently cutting the user (not shown) of thecigar cutter assembly 10. When thecigar cutter assembly 10 is in use, theprotective cap 116 may be detached from thecigar cutter assembly 10 and when thecigar cutter assembly 10 is not in use theprotective cap 116 may be attached to at least a portion of thecutter 76. - At least a portion of the
second end portion 114 of the centeringmember 105 may be connected to or integrally formed as part of the one ormore stopper members 104 or thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76. This aids in ensuring that the centeringmember 105 is retained relative to thecutter 76. As illustrated inFIG. 5 and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of thesecond end portion 114 of the centeringmember 105 may be imbedded or disposed within at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 104. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thesecond end portion 114 may be connected to at least a portion of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 76 or the one ormore stopper members 104 by using a threaded connection, one or more welds, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, a pinned connection, and/or one or more adhesives. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view of acutter 200 of thecutter assembly 44 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. Thecutter 200 illustrated inFIG. 6 is the same as thecutter 76 illustrated inFIG. 5 , except where specifically noted below. Thecutter 200 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown). - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 6 and as a non-limiting example, thebody portion 78 of thecutter 200 may include one ormore slots 202 therein. The one ormore slots 202 may extend from thefirst end 80 of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 200 into thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 200 toward the outputshaft receiving portion 94. The one ormore slots 202 in thecutter 200 may be of a size and shape to receive at least a portion of a cleaning tool (not shown) or the user's finger (not shown) therein. This provides the user (not shown) with an amount of access needed to clean or clear the amount of cigar (not shown) cut therefrom from within thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 200. As a non-limiting example, the cleaning tool (not shown) may be an elongated pick type member, an elongated member with a hook portion, an elongated member with a digger portion, or any other type of member capable of removing an amount of cigar (not shown) cut from the cigar (not shown) from within thecigar receiving portion 102. It is therefore to be understood that the one ormore slots 202 in thecutter 200 aid in providing acigar cutter 10 that is able to reliably and consistently cut the cigar (not shown) in the same way and in the same location each time thecigar cutter 10 is used. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side-view of acutter 300 of thecutter assembly 44 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. Thecutter 300 illustrated inFIG. 7 is the same as thecutter FIGS. 5 and 6 , except where specifically noted below. Thecutter 300 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown). - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 7 and as a non-limiting example, thebody portion 78 of thecutter 300 may include one ormore slots 302 therein. The one ormore slots 302 may extend along at least a portion of the length of thecigar receiving portion 102 in thebody portion 78 of thecutter 300. The one ormore slots 302 in thecutter 300 may be of a size and shape to receive at least a portion of a cleaning tool (not shown) or the user's finger (not shown) therein. This provides the user (not shown) with an amount of access needed to clean or clear the amount of cigar (not shown) cut therefrom from within thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 300. It is therefore to be understood that the one ormore slots 302 in thecutter 300 aid in providing acigar cutter 10 that is able to reliably and consistently cut the cigar (not shown) in the same way and in the same location each time thecigar cutter 10 is used. - As illustrated in
FIG. 7 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore slots 302 in thecutter 300 may not extend to thefirst end 80 or through thecutter portion 100 of thecutter 300. This aids in providing a substantially continuous cutting surface for thecutter 300. It is therefore to be understood that the one ormore slots 302 in thecutter 300 aid in providing acigar cutter 10 that is able to reliably and consistently cut the cigar (not shown) in the same way and in the same location each time thecigar cutter 10 is used. -
FIGS. 8-10A provide a schematic illustration of acutter 400 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Thecutter 400 illustrated inFIGS. 8-10A is the same as thecutter FIGS. 5-7 , except where specifically noted below. Thecutter 400 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown). - As best seen in
FIGS. 8, 10, and 10A and as a non-limiting example, thecutter 400 may include one ormore stopper members 402, acleaning tool 404, and/or the one ormore slots 302 in thebody portion 78 of thecutter 400. In accordance with this embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecleaning tool 404 may be a substantially cylindrical member that is disposed concentric with thecutter 400 along the rotational axis R. Thecleaning tool 404 may include a substantially hollowinterior portion 406 having a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of thecutter 400 therein. Additionally, at least a portion of thecleaning tool 404 may be disposed outboard form thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 400. - At least a portion of the one or
more stopper members 402 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of thecleaning tool 404 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. As best seen inFIGS. 9-10A and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore stopper members 402 may extend from one side of thecleaning tool 404 through the substantially hollowinterior portion 406 to the opposite side of thecleaning tool 404. The one ormore stopper members 404 may be used in order to limit the overall depth of the cut made by thecutter 400 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 and may therefore aid in determining the amount of cigar (not shown) that is able to be received by thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 400. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 402 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, substantially bar-like shape, substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and/or a substantially polygonal shape. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 10 and 10A and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore slots 302 in thecutter 400 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 402 therein. When thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are disposed proximate to afirst end portion 412 of the one ormore slots 302, thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are in thefirst cutting position 408. Additionally, when thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are disposed proximate to asecond end portion 414 of the one ormore slots 302, thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are in thesecond cleaning position 410. As a result, it is therefore to be understood that the overall length L and location of the one ormore slots 302 in thecutter 400 may aid in defining the overall depth of the cut made by thecutter 400. Additionally, it is therefore to be understood that the overall length L of the one ormore slots 302 may aid in determining the ease, effectiveness, and ability of thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 to clean out thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 400. - According to this embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, when the one or
more stopper members 402 and/or the one ormore cleaning tools 404 are in thefirst position 408 illustrated inFIG. 10 , thecigar cutter assembly 10 is ready the cigar cutting position. When in thefirst position 408, thecutter 400 may be rotated by themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, andoutput shaft 50 thereby cutting the cigar (not shown) until at least portion of the cigar (not shown) contacts at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 402. Once the cigar (not shown) has contacted the one ormore stopper members 402, themotor 46 may be turned off by the on/offswitch 67 thereby stopping thecutter 400 from rotating and cutting the cigar (not shown). At this point, the cutting process has been completed and thecigar cutter assembly 10 may be removed from within the cigar (not shown). In order to remove the amount of the cigar (not shown) cut and removed, thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 may be transitioned from thefirst position 408 illustrated inFIG. 10 to thesecond position 410 illustrated inFIG. 10 A. As thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are transitioned from thefirst position 408 to thesecond position 410, at least a portion of the portion of the cigar (not shown) cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) may be transitioned out of thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 400. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 with acutter 400 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 with acutter 400 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 with thecutter 400 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown). -
FIG. 11 provide a schematic illustration of acutter 500 according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure. Thecutter 500 illustrated inFIG. 11 is the same as thecutter FIGS. 5-10A , except where specifically noted below. Thecutter 500 may be used in order to cut at least a portion of a cigar (not shown). - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 11 and as a non-limiting example, thecutter 500 may include one ormore biasing members 502. The one ormore biasing members 502 may be used in order to aid in selectively transitioning thecutter 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 from thesecond position 410 back to thesecond position 408. As illustrated inFIG. 11 and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of thefirst end portion 504 of the one ormore biasing members 502 may be integrally connected to at least a portion of thebody portion 78 of thecutter 500 at or near abottom portion 506 of thecigar receiving portion 102 of thecutter 500. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 11 and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of thesecond end portion 506 of the one ormore biasing members 502 may be integrally connected to at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 402 and/or thecleaning tool 404 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - As the
cutting tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are selectively transitioned from thefirst position 408 to thesecond position 410 by the user (not shown), the one ormore biasing members 502 are loaded with an amount of energy. Once the cleaning operation has been completed, thecleaning tool 404 and/or the one ormore stopper members 402 may be released by the user (not shown) allowing the energy stored within the one ormore biasing members 502 to be released. As the energy within the one ormore biasing members 502 is released, thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 402 are transitioned back to thefirst position 408 by the one ormore biasing members 502. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 with acutter 500 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 with acutter 500 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 with thecutter 500 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown) making thecigar cutter assembly 10 more user friendly. -
FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of thecleaning tool 404 having one ormore stopper members 602 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Thecleaning tool 404 and the one ormore stopper members 602 illustrated inFIG. 12 are the same as the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members described and illustrated in relation toFIGS. 1-11 , except where specifically noted below. As illustrated inFIG. 12 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore stopper members 602 may extend inward from at least a portion of aninner surface 606 of thecleaning tool 404. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 602 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, substantially bar-like shape, substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and/or a substantially polygonal shape. - In accordance with this embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, the one or
more stopper members 602 do not extend all of the way through theinterior portion 406 of thecleaning tool 404. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 602 may be integrally connected to or integrally formed as part of thecleaning tool 404 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. As a non-limiting example, the one ormore stopper members 602 may be connected to at least a portion of thecleaning tool 404 by using one or more welds, one or more adhesives, a threaded connection, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, and/or a pinned connection. - The one or
more stopper members 602 may be of a size and shape to be received and/or retained within at least a portion of the one ormore slots 302. During the assembly process, at least a portion of the one ormore stopper members 602, thecleaning tool 404, and/or thecutter more stopper members 602 are aligned with the one ormore slots 302. Once the one ormore stopper members 602 are aligned with the one ormore slots 302, the one ormore stopper members 602 will extend into the one or more slots thereby aiding in fixing thecleaning tool 404 relative to thecutter - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 with acleaning tool 404 and one ormore stopper members 602 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 with acleaning tool 404 and one ormore stopper members 602 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 with acleaning tool 404 and one ormore stopper members 602 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown) making thecigar cutter assembly 10 more user friendly. -
FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaning tool 704 and one ormore stopper members 702 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The cleaning tool 704 and the one ormore stopper members 702 illustrated inFIG. 13 are the same as the cleaning tool and the one or more stopper members described and illustrated in relation toFIGS. 1-12 , except where specifically noted below. As illustrated inFIG. 13 and as a non-limiting example, one ormore support members 706 may extend from one side of thecleaning tool 404, through the hollowinterior portion 406 of thecleaning tool 404, to the opposite side of thecleaning tool 404. The one ormore slots 302 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the one ormore support members 706 therein. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore support members 706 may be connected to or integrally formed as part of thecleaning tool 404 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. As a non-limiting example, the one ormore support members 706 may be connected to at least a portion of thecleaning tool 404 by using one or more welds, one or more adhesives, a threaded connection, a press-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, and/or a pinned connection. - The
cigar cutter assembly 10 may further include the use of one ormore stopper members 702 that are received and/or retained within at least a portion of thecigar receiving portion 102. As illustrated inFIG. 13 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example at least a portion of the one or more stopper members may be connected to or integrally formed as part of the one ormore support members 706. As previously described herein, the one ormore stopper members 702 may provide a positive stop of the cigar (not shown) within thecigar receiving portion 102 during the cutting process. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one ormore stopper members 702 may be substantially disc-shaped. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 13 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore stopper members 702 may have a cross-sectional shape that is defined by a diameter D2. The diameter D2 of the one ormore stopper members 702 may be substantially equal to or less than the diameter D1 of thecigar receiving portion 102. As a result, the one ormore stopper members 702 may substantially seal off at least a portion of thecigar receiving portion 102. This aids in ensuring that as the one ormore stopper members 702 and thecleaning tool 404 is transitioned from thefirst position 408 to thesecond position 410, all or substantially all of the cigar (not shown) cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) during the cutting process is removed from within thecigar receiving portion 102 after the cleaning process has been completed. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 with acleaning tool 404 and one ormore stopper members 702 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 with acleaning tool 404 and one ormore stopper members 702 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 with acleaning tool 404 and one ormore stopper members 702 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar receiving portion 102 is able to be quickly and easily cleaned by the user (not shown) making thecigar cutter assembly 10 more user friendly. -
FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of thecigar cutter 10 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 14 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a parallel arrangement relative to each other. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 14 and as a non-limiting example, the chargingmember 74 may be disposed proximate to afirst end 801 of the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. Additionally, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially the same as, or transverse to, the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 14 and as a non-limiting example, themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may be disposed proximate asecond end 805 of the one or more sources ofpower 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The rotational axis R of themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown). -
FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of thecigar cutter 10 according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 15 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a coaxial arrangement or an end-to-end arrangement relative to each other. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 15 and as a non-limiting example, the chargingmember 74 may be disposed proximate to thefirst end 801 of the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. Additionally, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation R. Furthermore, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite to, or is substantially transverse to, the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 15 and as a non-limiting example, themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may be disposed proximate thesecond end 805 of the one or more sources ofpower 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The rotational axis R of themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to, substantially co-axial with, or substantially transverse to the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown). -
FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of thecigar cutter 10 according to still yet another embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 16 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a parallel arrangement relative to each other. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 16 and as a non-limiting example, the chargingmember 74 may be disposed proximate to and outboard from abody portion 808 of the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially parallel to, or substantially transverse to, the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. Additionally, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation R. Furthermore, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. - In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 16 and as a non-limiting example, themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may be disposed proximate and outboard from thebody portion 808 of the one or more sources ofpower 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The rotational axis R of themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to or substantially transverse to the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. Furthermore, by providing thecigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown). -
FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of thecigar cutter 10 according to still yet a further embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 17 and as a non-limiting example, the one ormore power sources 66 may be disposed in or may extend in a parallel arrangement relative to each other. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 17 and as a non-limiting example, the chargingmember 74 may be disposed proximate to thefirst end 801 of the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially parallel to, or substantially transverse to, or substantially co-axial with the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. Additionally, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may extend substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation R. Furthermore, the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially opposite the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the plug-inportion 803 of the chargingmember 74 may open in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction to which theoutput shaft 50 extends from thegear assembly 48. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 17 and as a non-limiting example, themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may be disposed proximate and outboard from thebody portion 808 of the one or more sources ofpower 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. The rotational axis R of themotor 46, thegear assembly 48, and theoutput shaft 50 may extend substantially parallel to, or substantially transverse to, the one ormore power sources 66 of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - By providing a
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to safely and efficiently cut a cigar (not shown). Additionally, by providing acigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to create a more reliable and is able to more consistently cut a cigar (not shown) in the same location and in the same way each time that thecigar cutter assembly 10 is used. - Furthermore, by providing the
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is able to obtain a more compact and ergonomic shape for the user (not shown). -
FIGS. 18 and 19 provide a schematic perspective view of thecigar cutter assembly 10 having ahousing 900 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Thehousing 900 illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 19 is the same as thehousing 12 described and illustrated in relation toFIGS. 1-17 , except where specifically noted below. As best seen inFIG. 18 and as a non-limiting example, thehousing 900 of thecigar cutter assembly 10 may include one or more first receivingportions 902 in anouter surface 901 of thehousing 900. The one or more first receivingportions 902 in theouter surface 901 of thehousing 900 may be of a size and shape to receive and/or retain at least a portion of acleaning tool 904 therein. Thecleaning tool 904 may be of a size and shape needed to clean out an amount of the cigar cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) from within thecigar receiving portion 102 after the cutting process has been completed. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more first receivingportions 902 may extend substantially parallel to the rotational axis R of thecigar cutter assembly 10. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 18 and 19 of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecigar cutter assembly 10 may include one or more cleaningtool retention members 906. The one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 may be used in order to retain and secure thecleaning tool 904 relative to thehousing 900 when thecleaning tool 904 is not in use by the user (not shown). As a result, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that thecleaning tool 904 may be interposed between the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 and theouter surface 901 of thehousing 900. As a non-limiting example, the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 may is disposed substantially parallel to each other and/or substantially transverse to thecleaning tool 904 and the one or more first receivingportions 902 when installed on thehousing 900. Additionally, as a non-limiting example, the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 may be one or more O-rings, one or more rubber bands, one or more elastomeric members, one or more rubber members, one or more polymeric members, or any other type of member that is able to secure thecleaning tool 904 relative to thehousing 900. - In order to aid in securing the one or more cleaning
tool retention members 906 relative to thehousing 900 and thecleaning tool 904, thehousing 900 may include one or more second receivingportions 908 circumferentially extending along theouter surface 901 of thehousing 900. The one or more second receivingportions 908 may be of a size and shape needed to receive and/or retain at least a portion of the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 therein. This aids in ensuring that the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 and thecleaning tool 904 are secured relative to thehousing 900. Additionally, this aids in ensuring that the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 do not inadvertently and unintentionally become disengaged from thehousing 900, As a result, it is therefore to be understood that the one or more cleaningtool retention members 906 aid in ensuring that thecleaning tool 904 is securedly retained relative to thehousing 900 at all times when thecleaning tool 904 is not in use. It is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more second receivingportions 908 may be disposed parallel to each other. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure and as a non-limiting example that the one or more second receivingportions 908 may be disposed substantially transverse to thecleaning tool 904 and the one or more first receivingportions 902 in theouter surface 901 of thehousing 900. - According to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure (not shown) and as a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the
cleaning tool 904 may be securedly retained within at least a portion of the housing of thecigar cutter assembly 10. In accordance with this embodiment of the disclosure and as a non-limiting example, thecleaning tool 904 may be received and/or retained within a cleaning tool receiving portion (not shown) extending into the housing. As a result, when assembled, at least a portion of thecleaning tool 904 may be disposed within thehousing 900 in a manner similar to a stylus. - By providing the
cigar cutter assembly 10 as described and illustrated herein, thecigar cutter assembly 10 is a self contained integrated assembly that includes a way to store thecleaning tool 904. This aids in ensuring that thecleaning tool 904 is not lost and is quickly and easily assessable to the user (not shown) when the amount of cigar (not shown) cut and removed from the cigar (not shown) during the cutting process needs to be cleaned from within thecigar receiving portion 102. - It is to be understood that the various embodiments described in this specification and as illustrated in the attached drawings are simply exemplary embodiments illustrating the inventive concepts as defined in the claims. As a result, it is to be understood that the various embodiments described and illustrated may be combined to from the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.
- In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described to represent what is considered to represent the preferred embodiments. However, it should be note that this invention can be practiced in other ways than those specifically illustrated and described without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/731,307 US20200205471A1 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2019-12-31 | Cigar cutter assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201862786939P | 2018-12-31 | 2018-12-31 | |
US16/731,307 US20200205471A1 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2019-12-31 | Cigar cutter assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20200205471A1 true US20200205471A1 (en) | 2020-07-02 |
Family
ID=71121543
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US16/731,307 Abandoned US20200205471A1 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2019-12-31 | Cigar cutter assembly |
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US (1) | US20200205471A1 (en) |
-
2019
- 2019-12-31 US US16/731,307 patent/US20200205471A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Owner name: JHONLIN HOLDINGS, LLC, OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THE CIGAR AFFAIR, LLC;REEL/FRAME:054014/0703 Effective date: 20200930 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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