CIGARILLO CUTTING AND ROLLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A device for cutting and rolling a cigar is presented that has a smooth working surface with a disposal hole along the top of the surface with a cutting device that may be attached near the disposal hole such that upon the entrance of trash and debris (from rolling the cigar on the working surface) is pushed through the disposal hole on the surface, allowing an enclosure to securely hold all unwanted material. When the trash and debris needs to be removed, a side panel of the enclosure, or portion thereof, is detachable and can be removed to allow the trash and debris to be emptied. The detachable side panel can then be reattached securely by magnets or other suitable attaching mechanism.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention relates to hand-rolling cigars, cigarillos, etc. and, in particular, rolling a cigars, cigarillos, etc. on a smooth working surface with a cutter attached allowing the user to discard unwanted material in the device's disposal hole enclosing the unwanted material and debris for disposal when ready.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers are starting to prefer cigars, and, in most cases, hand-rolled cigarillos, also known as a blunt. A blunt is a cigar which is wider than a cigarillo and not quite as wide as a Corona. These cigars typically consist of two main parts: the inner leaf, which is similar to a cigarette rolling paper, except it is made of tobacco, and a thicker outer leaf which is rolled around the inner leaf in a spiral. Cigar and cigarillo smoking popularity has increased in recent years. For most connoisseurs the variety, quality, and size of readymade cigarillos are sufficient to satisfy the majority of the public's tastes. However, there are some aficionados who prefer to hand-roll their own cigarillos. The cigarillo is now widely sold and used by the younger consumers because of its simplicity. The practice of rolling cigarillos by consumers is usually done on an available flat surface, such tables, DVD boxes, magazines, and trays.

This existing method of hand-rolling cigars consists of separate devices used in the process. Currently in the process: a flat surface is utilized for the rolling of the cigar, and a sharp blade is required to precisely cut the cigar or cigarillo in half. Users may also use a knife or their fingers to cut the cigarillo in half. There are many disadvantages of this process. For example, an inadequately sharpened blade can make the cutting of the cigar difficult, and the joining of the edges can be difficult without a clean cut through the inner and outer leaves. Also, the removed tobacco can be spilled or otherwise interfere with the process. Lastly, without a flat surface for the tobacco substitution process, it is difficult to handle both tobaccos at one time. There is a need for a single apparatus for cutting a cigar or cigarillo, storing removed tobacco, storing accessories, and/or providing a convenient, flat surface for rolling the hand-rolled cigar or cigarillo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates the above difficulties and disadvantages by providing an apparatus that streamlines the system for producing these hand-rolled cigars or cigarillos by providing the consumer with a smooth working surface that has one or more disposal holes and cigarillo splitter attached to the working surface. The disposal hole allows the user to push unwanted material and debris inside the apparatus. Once the user is ready, a first panel of the apparatus can be removed to give the user ease of access in emptying the material and debris into the trash and the first panel can be reattached to the device for use later. The present invention is a new apparatus for the preparation of hand-rolled cigars or cigarillos that exhibits the qualities of a hard flat working surface, a sharp cutting device constructed to separate a single cigarillo, storage compartment(s) for the retention and storage of excess or waste materials and debris directly resulting from the rolling of cigars or cigarillos, and a disposal means where-by one panel of the apparatus is detached from the apparatus allowing the waste to be put in garbage receptacles at the user's convenience.

The present invention can also be constructed to contain separate storage compartment(s) for the trash and the material that the user uses to roll their cigars or cigarillos. Without compromising the initial structure of the apparatus, a division can be made underneath the surface either vertical or horizontal allowing sections. Within one of those sections a drawer can be made to allow the user to store their cigar or cigarillos along with their rolling material on one side and the trash and debris can still be discarded on the other side. The drawer can be made to open from the right side or from the bottom, still allowing the user to use the apparatus as designed.

The present invention can also contain the above mentioned additions as well as a light which shines through the smooth clear plastic surface. By having the surface illuminated, this keeps the light out of the user's eyes and on the smooth rolling surface if the user prefers not to have the light on in the room. The light will have an on and off switch which is constructed into the left side panel which has a watch size battery that can easily be replaced if needed. The entire apparatus can be enclosed with a lid to portray a small chest or box when not in use. The apparatus can have decorative tops to help disguise the present invention when not in use and put away on a table or shelf. When the user is ready, they can get the present invention lift the top and have all the components and material to roll their cigars or cigarillos without searching for any extra tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings which form a portion of the disclosure and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for hand-rolling cigars or cigarillos.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a detachable first side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for hand-rolling cigars or cigarillos with a first panel detached for discarding unwanted material or debris collected through the disposal holes.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having an openable top lid.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for hand-rolling cigars or cigarillos having an opening drawer on a first side allowing the user to conveniently store replacement tobacco material, papers, leaves, etc. within the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for hand-rolling cigars or cigarillos having a bottom panel opening drawer to allowing the user to conveniently store replacement tobacco material, papers, leaves, etc. within the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for hand-rolling cigars or cigarillos having an expanded top working surface and two disposal holes for collecting unwanted materials or debris.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

In general, when a consumer desires to hand-roll a cigar or cigarillo, the disclosed apparatus provides a convenient flat working surface and storage area(s) for performing this process. The disclosed apparatus 10 can be placed in the consumer's lap because of its general shape and size, on a table, or other convenient surface. The user then takes a purchased cigar or cigarillo, runs it through a cutting device 52, removes the tobacco from the cigar or cigarillo into the disposal hole 48 located on the flat, top working surface 50, which provides an entrance portal to a semi-enclosed compartment 56 within the disclosed apparatus 10. The user then proceeds to hand-roll their cigar or cigarillo with their replacement tobacco of choice on and/or above the top flat working surface 50, continuing to discard unwanted material into the disposal hole 48. Once the user has finished hand-rolling the cigar or cigarillo, the apparatus 10 can then be emptied of the unwanted material or debris, and/or then put aside for later use.

Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of the function and structure of the disclosed apparatus of the invention, FIG. 1 presents one embodiment of the apparatus 10 for hand-rolling cigars or cigarillos. FIG. 1 depicts the smooth, flat, top working surface 50, a cutting device 52, a plurality of side panels 40, 42, 44, & 46, disposal hole 48, and interior semi-enclosed compartment 56 for holding unwanted material and debris. Preferably, cutting device 52 consists of a cylindrical tube with a razor blade 54 disposed within its interior to cut the cigar or cigarillo. More preferably, cylindrical tube with a razor blade 54 has a safety feature (not shown) to prevent a child from inserting and cutting their finger. Such a safety feature could be any known feature including, but without limitation, placement of the razor blade 54 more than one inch from the openings 53 on either end of cutting device 52, a latching cover for the openings 53 requiring substantial force to remove, a spring loaded covering for the openings 53 requiring substantial force to hold open, or other similar closing device. In some embodiments, cutting device 52 is permanently affixed to the apparatus 10. In preferred embodiments, cutting device 52 is positioned at or near disposal hole 48 in order to better catch tobacco and other materials/debris from the cigarillo or cigar being cut. Cutting device 52 may be attached by any convenient or appropriate means, including appropriate glue or adhesive, and/or fasteners, such as nails, tacks, screws, etc., or sliding onto a notch (not shown). In still further embodiments, especially embodiments consisting of kits, cutting device 52 is detachable to keep out of reach of children and may consist of a plurality of cutting devices 52 of various bore sizes to accommodate various size cigarillos and cigars (not shown). In such embodiments, cutting device 52 is detachable and reattached by means of a set screw, magnet, snap latch, sliding onto a notch, or other appropriate attaching mechanism.

The disposal hole 48 is a portal to a semi-enclosed compartment 56 that allows for the unwanted material and debris to be conveniently removed from the working surface 50 after cutting the purchased cigar or cigarillo or during the hand-rolling process. The unwanted material and debris will stay in the internal semi-enclosed compartment 56 (defined by the space between left panel 46, back panel 44, front panel 40, and right panel 42, bottom surface 30, and working surface 50) until detachable right panel 42 is removed to allow the unwanted material and debris to be discarded. As shown in FIG. 1, some embodiments of the disclosed apparatus have right panel 42 as the detachable panel. However, it is intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure that any side panel (or portion thereof) and/or more than one side panel (or portion thereof) can be detachable for the use in the disclosed apparatus. For example, in some embodiments, the left side panel 46 is detachable, while the right side panel 42 is fixedly attached to the disclosed apparatus 10. The right side 42 is reattached to apparatus 10 by engaging the reattaching objects 20 with 28 and 22 with 26 (magnets, as shown in FIGS. 2 & 3).

As can be appreciated in FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment consists of four panels (40, 42, 44, and 46), with magnets 20 and 22 (reattaching objects) on the right ends (44a & 40a, respectively) of the back 44 and front panels 40. The right removable panel 42 has magnets 26 and 28 (see FIG. 2) affixed so that right removable panel 42 can be detached and reattached securely. Alternatively, other reattachment means, such as snap latches, hook and loop materials, friction (passively held by tight fit), or other suitable means. The semi-enclosed compartment 56 is completed by the top surface 50 and the bottom board 30. Thus, semi-enclosed compartment 56 is the space or area defined by the interior of the panels (40, 42, 44, and 46), the top surface 50, and the bottom board 30. The back 44 and front panels 40 are attached to the left panel 46. These components can be fixedly attached using appropriate glue or adhesive, and/or fasteners, such as nails, tacks, screws, etc. The bottom board 30 can be attached to the three panels 40 (front), 44 (back), and 46 (left), using appropriate means, such as glue or adhesive, and/or fasteners, such as nails, tacks, screws, etc. If a separate component, bottom board 30 is preferably slid into groove 31 along the semi-enclosed compartment 56 side of the outer panels. Alternatively, these components can be made into a single piece by plastic injection molding.

In some embodiments, working surface 50 may be attached to the three panels 40 (front), 44 (back), and 46 (left), using appropriate means, such as glue or adhesive, and/or fasteners, such as nails, tacks, screws, etc. Preferably, the working surface 50 can slide freely between the back 44 and front panels 40 in a groove 51 disposed on the semi-enclosed compartment 56 side of back 44 and front panels 40, allowing the user to thoroughly clean the device of any unwanted material that may not move freely without subjecting the entire apparatus to water or cleaning agents. Thus, in preferred embodiments, right panel 42 is removed to then allow the removal of the smooth surface 50.

In some embodiments, apparatus 10 may also have other features added. As can be appreciated in FIG. 4, the apparatus 10 may further include an openable top lid 60 defined by four outer panels 62-65 and top panel 61. Within the openable top lid 60, internal compartments, such as cloth or netting pockets 66, can be used to hold smoking accessories, such as replacement tobacco, papers, lighters, or other materials when not being used. This gives the user the convenience of having all of their smoking accessories and/or materials in one location. In other embodiments, netting pockets 66 depicted in FIG. 4 may be accompanied by one or more drawers (not shown) opening through panel 62 or wooden internal compartments (not shown) only accessible from the interior of the openable top lid 60. Such drawers and internal compartments are designed to not spill or leak their contents in any position that openable top lid 60 can be in.

In still other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5 & 6, the apparatus 10 may be designed with a plurality of semi-enclosed compartment 56 and/or drawer compartments 70 to allow for the user to conveniently store their smoking accessories and material, as well as receive and store materials and debris from purchased cigarillos and/or cigars to be cut and hand-rolled. As shown in FIG. 5, a drawer 65 between working 50 and bottom 30 surfaces is further defined by the door panel 68 (a portion of right panel 42), side drawer paneling 64, back drawer paneling 67, drawer bottom 71, and the drawer compartment or space created 70. The drawer 65 can be configured to slide in place, or it may be attached to grooves or other suitable means (not shown). There is an interior separator panel 72 which keeps the unwanted material semi-enclosed compartment 56 partitioned from the drawer 65. As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of right panel 42 is now right removable panel 69, which can be removed to discard the unwanted material and debris within semi-enclosed compartment 56, while the other portion of right panel 42 is now drawer door panel 68. Drawer 65 and right removable panel 69 may be kept securely closed by friction (passive) or by a reattachment object (active), such as magnets (e.g., magnet 20 in FIG. 5 and magnet 88 in FIG. 6) as described above. As discussed above, the drawer 65 and/or the removeable panel 69 may be alternatively placed on the left side of the apparatus 10.

As depicted in FIG. 6, a front drawer 80 between working 50 and bottom 30 surfaces is further defined by the door panel 84, side drawer paneling 83, back drawer paneling 85, drawer bottom 82, and the drawer space created 86. Alternatively, front drawer 80 may be configured to make up a portion of front panel 84. An interior separator panel 72 keeps the unwanted material semi-enclosed compartment 56 partitioned from the front drawer 80. The front drawer 80 can be configured to slide in place, or it may be attached to grooves or other means (not shown). Front drawer 80 and right removable panel 69 may be kept securely closed by friction (passive) or by a reattachment object (active), such as magnets 88, as described above. In still other embodiments, working surface 50 is made of a clear plastic and one or more side panels include LED light source(s) 55, 155 in electrical connection with a battery or other power source (not shown) such that the working surface 50 is illuminated with one or more colors (see FIGS. 3 & 7). Preferably, the LED light source(s) 55, 155 are positioned to illuminate the edge of the working surface 50 attached to the side panels (e.g., back panel 44), and the power source and electric wiring is hidden from view.

FIG. 7 depicts yet another embodiment of apparatus 100. As can be appreciated in FIG. 7, apparatus 100 has two disposal holes 104, 108, and apparatus 100 is usually, but not necessarily, larger than other embodiments described above. Apparatus 100 has a top (flat or smooth) working surface 110 with two disposal holes 104 and 108 with a cutting device 152, preferably, but not required to be, centered between the two disposal holes 108 and 106. As described above, a plurality of detachable cutting devices 106 may be included in some embodiments of apparatus 100. The right panel 142 can be removed to allow the user to discard unwanted material from the semi-enclosed compartment 156, as described above. One advantage of apparatus 100, particularly larger versions, is that it allows the user to roll more cigars without emptying the semi-enclosed compartment 156 of unwanted materials and debris as often. Another advantage is that an internal divider 172 within semi-enclosed compartment 156 (effectively making left semi-enclosed compartment 156a accessible by disposal hole 108 and right semi-enclosed compartment 156b accessible by disposal hole 104) can be used to segregate materials placed within each of disposal holes 104,108. For example, unwanted materials and debris from the cut cigarillos and/or cigars can be discarded through disposal hole 104, while excess replacement tobacco can be removed from the working surface 110 by discarding through disposal hole 108. The user can then empty semi-enclosed compartment 156b into the trash and semi-enclosed compartment 156a into a replacement tobacco storage container. Apparatus 100 can also be configured to include an openable top lid 60, as shown FIG. 4, and drawers 65 or 80, as shown in FIGS. 5 & 6.

In all embodiments, the material of the various embodiments can be one or more of glass, wood, plastic, composites, metals, or combinations thereof. While the description has provided attaching several component parts (e.g., panels 40, 44, 46, and bottom surface 30) together by adhesive and/or fasteners, it should be understood that it is contemplated that the present invention can be produced by injection molding, which may result in some described component parts being one piece (e.g., panels 40, 44, 46, and bottom surface 30).

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,” “an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The term “one” or “single” may be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as “two,” may be used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and techniques other than those specifically described herein can be applied to the practice of the invention as broadly disclosed herein without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents of methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and techniques described herein are intended to be encompassed by this invention. Whenever a range is disclosed, all subranges and individual values are intended to be encompassed. This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed, including any shown in the drawings or exemplified in the specification, which are given by way of example and not of limitation.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for rolling a cigar comprising: a portable container having a bottom surface, a plurality of side panels, a top working surface, a cutting device, and at least one semi-enclosed compartment defined by said bottom surface, said plurality of side panels, and said top working surface; said smooth surface having at least one disposal hole open to said semi-enclosed compartment; said cutting device is attached to said portable container; and at least one of said plurality of side panels is removable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smooth surface is capable of being removed from said portable container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one removable side panel is attached to said portable container by magnets.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting device is reversibly attached to said portable container.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of cutting devices that are capable of being reversibly attached to said portable container.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said top working surface is made of clear plastic.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one LED light source capable of illuminating said top working surface and at least one power source in electrical connection with said at least one LED light source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a closable top lid.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one internal compartment configured for storing smoking accessories.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one disposal hole is at least two disposal holes and said at least one semi-enclosed compartment is at least two semi-enclosed compartments, each of said at least two disposal holes is configured to provide access to each of said at least two semi-enclosed compartment separated by an interior separator panel.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drawer, wherein said drawer comprises at least one of said plurality of side panels.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drawer, wherein said drawer comprises a portion of at least one of said plurality of side panels.

13. An apparatus for rolling a cigar comprising: a portable container having a bottom surface, a plurality of side panels, a top working surface, a cutting device, and at least one semi-enclosed compartment defined by said bottom surface, said plurality of side panels, and said top working surface; said smooth surface having at least one disposal hole open to said semi-enclosed compartment; said cutting device is attached to said portable container; and at least one portion of a first panel of said plurality of side panels is removable.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said smooth surface is capable of being removed from said portable container.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one removable portion of a first panel of said plurality of side panels is attached to said portable container by magnets.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said cutting device is reversibly attached to said portable container.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of cutting devices that are capable of being reversibly attached to said portable container.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said top working surface is made of clear plastic.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising at least one LED light source capable of illuminating said top working surface and at least one power source in electrical connection with said at least one LED light source.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a closable top lid.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one disposal hole is at least two disposal holes and said at least one semi-enclosed compartment is at least two semi-enclosed compartments, each of said at least two disposal holes is configured to provide access to each of said at least two semi-enclosed compartment separated by an interior separator panel.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a drawer, wherein said drawer comprises at least one of said plurality of side panels.

23. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a drawer, wherein said drawer comprises a portion of at least one of said plurality of side panels.