Cigar with a paper wrapper

Abstract

A cigar with a paper wrapper and the method for manufacturing the same is provided. The cigar includes a tobacco filler consisting essentially of cigar tobacco and a paper wrapper overlying the tobacco filler. The paper wrapper consists essentially of conventional cigarette paper. The cigar may further include a binder surrounding the tobacco filler, wherein the outer covering overlies the binder. Preferably, the paper wrapper is imprinted with images. The method includes rolling a tobacco filler together into the shape of a cigar and wrapping a paper wrapper substantially around and overlying the tobacco filler. Preferably, the method further includes imprinting an image on the outside of the paper wrapper.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to the manufacture of cigars, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a cigar with a paper wrapper.

[0002] Cigars typically are wrapped with a natural tobacco leaf or with a manufactured wrapper which contains both natural tobacco and certain adhesives and cellulosic fiber materials. While the natural tobacco leaf has historically been the symbol of a quality cigar, it has been a goal of cigar manufacturers to simulate the appearance of natural tobacco leaf wrappers on manufactured cigar wrappers. The advantage of using a manufactured cigar wrapper rather than a natural tobacco leaf resides in its considerably lower cost and the increased ability to manipulate both taste and aroma by the addition of appropriate additives.

[0003] Nevertheless, both the natural tobacco leaf and the manufactured tobacco leaf have disadvantages in their appearance and construction. The natural and the manufactured tobacco leaves both have natural tobacco in them, and therefore are both costly to produce. Additionally, since both the natural and the manufactured tobacco leaves are dark in color, words or graphics cannot be easily imprinted upon them. Accordingly, further development of an apparatus and method for manufacturing a cigar having an improved wrapper is necessary in order to decrease the cost for manufacturing a cigar, and to more easily allow words, pictures or other such images to be imprinted upon the cigar wrapper.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cigar is provided. The cigar includes a tobacco filler consisting essentially of cigar tobacco and a paper wrapper overlying the tobacco filler. The paper wrapper consists essentially of conventional cigarette paper. The cigar may further include a binder surrounding the tobacco filler, wherein the outer covering overlies the binder. Preferably, the paper wrapper is imprinted with images.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing cigars is provided. The method includes rolling a tobacco filler together into the shape of a cigar and wrapping a paper wrapper substantially around and overlying the tobacco filler. Preferably, the method further includes imprinting an image on the outside of the paper wrapper.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for displaying images on a cigar is provided. The method includes providing a paper wrapper for the cigar. The paper wrapper overlies the cigar and comprises an outer surface on which images are displayed upon. Furthermore, the paper wrapper is dimensioned so as to substantially wrap around and cover the cigar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cigar with a paper wrapper.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cigar with a paper wrapper.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially exposed perspective view of the cigar with the paper wrapper of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cigar with the paper wrapper of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cigar with a paper wrapper.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cigar with a paper wrapper.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of cigar and a paper sleeve.

[0014] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate steps for manufacturing a cigar with a paper wrapper.

[0015] FIG. 11 is an alternate perspective view of the cigar with the paper wrapper of FIG. 1.

[0016] It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a presently preferred embodiment of a cigar 20 with a paper wrapper 28, according to the present invention. The cigar 20 may be any type of cigar prepared in any type of manner. Thus, the cigar 20 may also be a cigarillo. Additionally, the cigar 20 may be a hand rolled cigar or a machine rolled cigar. Furthermore, the cigar may have a long or a short tobacco filler 34. The cigar 20 may also have tobacco and non-tobacco products, such as a homogenous cigar, which is a cigar that comprises predominately natural tobacco along with non-tobacco ingredients added. For example, the cigar 20 may have a binder 54 that is made from paper. The cigar 20 comprises a head 22, having a tip 24, and a foot 26 opposed to the head 22 and the tip 24. The cigar head 22 and the tip 24 are engaged by and placed within the user's mouth when the cigar 20 is being smoked. The cigar 20 has a length L that is defined by the distance from the tip 24 to the foot 26, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Additionally, the cigar 20 has a diameter D as illustrated in FIG. 4. The length L and diameter D of the cigar 20 may vary depending on the type of cigar. Preferably, the length L of the cigar 20 is between 10.5 to 20 centimeters and the diameter D is between 1.0 and 2.5 centimeters. In one embodiment, the cigar 20 has a diameter D of between 0.625 and 1.25 centimeters. The cigar 20 comprises a tobacco filler 34, a binder 54 surrounding the tobacco filler 34, and the paper wrapper 28 overlying the tobacco filler 34 and the binder 54.

[0018] The tobacco filler 34 consists essentially of cigar tobacco. As used herein, cigar tobacco is defined as tobacco which is specifically grown and cured for use in cigars as cigar fillers and cigar wrappers. Typically, cigar tobacco is air-cured. Cigar tobacco is not to be confused with cigarette tobacco, which is grown and cured specifically for use with cigarettes. The tobacco filler 34 constitutes the bulk of the tobacco used in the construction of cigar 20. The tobacco filler 34 provides the majority of the taste and flavor of the cigar 20 on the palate and tongue while the cigar 20 is being smoked.

[0019] The binder 54 surrounds the tobacco filler 34 to hold the filler 34 in place. Typically the binder 54 comprises a tough, resilient tobacco leaf that is used to bind the filler 34 in a fashion similar to using a bandage to wrap an injured finger. The binder 54 may also comprise paper, cellulose, or other such substances. While the above-described cigar 20 comprises a binder 54, cigar 20 may use the paper wrapper 28, as described below, in place of or in addition to the binder 54.

[0020] The paper wrapper 28 is wrapped substantially around and overlies the tobacco filler 34 and the binder 54, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The paper wrapper 28 is the outermost layer of the cigar 20 and covers the tobacco filler 34 and the binder 54, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The paper wrapper 28 includes an inner surface 66 opposed to an outer surface 68, wherein the inner surface 66 is adjacent to the filler 34 once the paper wrapper is wrapped around the filler 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 11. In one embodiment, the paper wrapper 28 is removably attached to the cigar 20. Preferably, the paper wrapper 28 covers the entire surface of the cigar 20 except for the cigar foot 26, allowing for a portion of the tobacco filler 34 to be exposed, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The paper wrapper 28 may be wrapped around the tobacco filler 34 in a spiral fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a linear fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or in any one of a number of other fashions. Preferably, the paper wrapper 28 comprises conventional cigarette paper. As used herein, conventional cigarette paper is a strong, lightweight paper made from flax or other types of cellulose fiber. Conventional cigarette paper may contain fillers or other additives to provide whiteness, improve appearance, and assure burn uniformity. Conventional cigarette paper may contain a filler of calcium carbonate modified with various burning chemicals to improve the burning rate and ash characteristics of the smoking article. Typical conventional cigarette papers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,503,267; 2,580,608; and 2,580,611, the specifications of which are all hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment, the paper wrapper 28 comprises non-conventional cigarette paper. As defined herein, non-conventional cigarette paper includes, but is not limited to, blunt papers; a manufactured cigar wrapper containing natural tobacco, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,665, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a natural tobacco leaf cigar wrapper; a cigarette wrapper made of gelatin foil, a plasticizer and agent to increase burning speed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,636, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a cigarette wrapper containing a filler of gamma alumina, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,151, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a cigarette wrapper which is loaded with an agent comprising up to 45 percent by weight calcium oxalate, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,285, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a cigarette wrapper comprising a film which preferably comprises a natural polysaccharide component, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,134, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a wrapper containing magnesium oxide or its hydrate with a chemical adjuvant, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,377, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a wrapper formed on a cellulosic sheet containing a filler combination of magnesium hydroxide activated carbon, and calcium carbonate, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,864, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; a carbon filled wrapper, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,496, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference; and other such non-conventional papers

[0021] In one embodiment, the cigar 20 comprises an adhesive layer 32 between the paper wrapper 28 and the tobacco filler 34 and binder 54, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, the adhesive layer is located adjacent the inner surface 66 of the paper wrapper 28. The adhesive layer 32 binds the paper wrapper 28 to the binder 54 and the tobacco filler 34. The adhesive layer 32 may comprises any adhesive that may be used. Preferably, the adhesive layer 32 comprises an adhesive which can be safely smoked, such as, but not limited to, vegetable gel paste.

[0022] The paper wrapper 28 imparts a portion of the taste and flavor of the cigar 20 on the tongue and palate of the user. Smoke from the paper wrapper 28 combines with smoke from the filler 34 acting as a catalyst to create the taste and flavor of the cigar. In one embodiment, the paper wrapper 28 may be chemically flavored by applying chemicals to the paper wrapper 28 to provide the paper wrapper 28 with a given taste, such as, chocolate, strawberry, apple, mint, banana, and mango.

[0023] In addition to paper wrapper 28, the cigar 20 may have a conventional tobacco leaf wrapper 60 wrapped around the tobacco filler, wherein the paper wrapper is wrapped around, or overlying, the conventional tobacco leaf wrapper 60. The conventional tobacco leaf wrapper 60 may comprises any type of tobacco leaf wrapper. In color, the conventional tobacco leaf wrapper 60 may range from light green, such as a Double Claro, to a brownish-black, such as a Maduro Maduro. Typically, the conventional tobacco leaf wrapper 60 is wrapped in a spiral manner. Vegetable gel paste (not shown) may be is used to glue the wrapper 60 to the portion of the wrapper 60 at the head 22 of the cigar 20.

[0024] In one preferred embodiment, the paper wrapper 28 is imprinted with images 35 such as text 38 and graphics 36, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, the outer surface 68 of the paper wrapper 28 is imprinted with images 35 such as text 38 and graphics 36, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The text 38 may be such text as a horoscope, and individual's name, a company's name, the name of the cigar, a poem, lyrics, quotes, news, fictional work, or any other types of text. Furthermore, the graphics 36 may be one of a number of types of graphics, such as symbols, animals, plants, patterns, people, cartoons, logos, or any other type of graphics. In one embodiment the images 35 form an advertisement 62 which is used to sell products and/or services, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cigar 20 has a series of themes or advertisements 62 associated with the cigar 20, wherein the themes or advertisements 62 are communicated in some way to an individual. For example, the themes or advertisements 62 may be communicated to an individual by imprinting the themes or advertisements 62 on the cigar 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the themes or advertisements 62 may be communicated to an individual by generating sounds through a sound generating device 46, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the themes or advertisements 62 may be communicated to an individual by embossing the themes or advertisements 62 upon the cigar 20, additionally, the themes or advertisements 62 may be communicated to an individual through a sense of smell or taste by applying chemicals to the cigar 20 to change the smell or taste of cigar 20. The themes or advertisements 62 may be any themes or advertisements 62. For example, the themes or advertisements 62 may be astrological signs; a glow in the dark symbols or colors, such as a cigar with bright colors that glow, a cigar with ring bands that glow, or a cigar with a glow in the dark box; fortune telling, such as a cigar with a fortune imprinted upon the cigar, or a cigar with a fortune that is revealed by removing a cigar band that is wrapped around a portion of the cigar; traditional symbols such as Feng Shui symbols like a toad, or a laughing Buddha on colors representing colors for Fire, Earth, Metal, Wood and Air; special occasions like a wedding, a party, or a bar-mitzvah; names & dates special ordered to be printed; designs and images that deal with a Newborn Baby, such as printed rattles, bottles, booties, and pacifiers, also the cigar band could have the name, weight of baby imprinted upon the band; a crayon design on the cigars; animal prints such as a leopard print, a cheetah print, a tiger print, a zebra print, a giraffe and a cow print; a retro design, such as a 60's design featuring ty-dyed colors; a holiday theme; a sports theme imprinted upon the cigar, such as images or sounds of sport's commentators, sports teams, sports logos, and sport's athletes; a college theme; a joke or a whimsical quote; a tarot card reading on it; news; weather; and any other themes or advertisements 62.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cigar 20 comprises a ring 40, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The ring 40 surrounds a portion of the paper wrapper 28. The ring 40 may comprise precious metals, precious stone, regular metals, plastic, or any other material which may be used to form a ring. The ring 40 may be used as a substitute for the typical paper cigar band that usually is wrapped at one end of a cigar 20.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cigar 20 comprises a light source 42, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The light source 42 is attached to the cigar 20 using, for example, a band 44. The light source 42 may also be attached using one of a number of means, such as, but not limited to, glue, Velcro, bands, and rings. In one embodiment, the cigar 20, and more specifically, the paper wrapper 28 is coated with a chemical that causes the cigar 20 to glow in the dark.

[0028] In one embodiment, a paper 52 sleeve is formed which is adapted to receive an ordinary cigar 58, which includes any cigar or cigarillo manufactured in any way, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The paper sleeve 52 comprises conventional cigarette paper, as described above. In one embodiment, the paper sleeve 52 is imprinted with images 35 such as text 38 and graphics 36, as described above. Preferably, the paper sleeve 52 is formed by wrapping a sheet of conventional cigarette paper around and connecting the paper at a sleeve edge 56. In one embodiment, the paper sleeve 52 is removably attached to the cigar 20.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cigar 20 comprises a sound generating device 46, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The sound generating device 46 generates sounds. For example, the sound generating device 46 can generate sounds of varying pitch in order to play a musical song or reproduce a human voice. Preferably, the sound generating device 46 includes a button 50 which is used to activate the sound generating device 46, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The sound generating device 46 is attached to the cigar 20 using, for example, a band 48. The sound generating device 46 may also be attached using one of a number of means, such as, but not limited to, glue, Velcro, bands, and rings.

[0030] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate steps for manufacturing the cigar 20. The cigar 20 may be manufactured by either machine or by hand. Generally, the manufacturing of the cigar 20 involves layering the tobacco filler 34 and shaping it into a cylindrical structure 63, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The binder 54 is bound around the cylindrical structure 63 to produce a semi-finished cigar called a bunch 64, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The bunch 64 is then taken through a molding process during which time the bunch is compressed to the diameter D of the cigar 20. After compressing the bunch 64, the paper wrapper 28 is wrapped around the bunch 64 and the cigar 20 is then cut to the exact style length L, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Preferably, the paper wrapper 28 is affixed to the bunch 64 with the aid of an adhesive layer 32. In one embodiment, the bunch 64 is formed without the binder 54, and the paper wrapper 28 is wrapped around the cylindrical structure 63 to produce a cigar 20. In another embodiment, a tobacco wrapper 60 is wrapped around the bunch 64, and the paper wrapper 28 is wrapped around the tobacco wrapper 60. Upon forming the cigar 20, images 35 are then imprinted or embossed upon the cigar 20, and more specifically, upon the paper wrapper 28. In one embodiment, images 35 are imprinted upon the paper wrapper 28 before the paper wrapper 28 is wrapped around the bunch 64 or the cylindrical structure 63.

[0031] Thus, there has been disclosed in accordance with the invention, a cigar with a paper wrapper and a method for manufacturing the same that fully provides the advantages set forth above. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific illustrative embodiments thereof, it is not intended that the invention be limited to those illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within the invention all such variations and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A cigar comprising:

a tobacco filler consisting essentially of cigar tobacco; and

a paper wrapper overlying the tobacco filler, wherein the paper wrapper consists essentially of conventional cigarette paper.

2. The structure according to claim 1, further comprising a binder surrounding the tobacco filler, wherein the outer covering overlies the binder.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the binder comprises a tobacco leaf.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the paper wrapper consists of lightweight paper made from cellulose fiber.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the cigar further comprises an adhesive layer between the paper wrapper and the tobacco filler.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the paper wrapper is imprinted with images.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the cigar tobacco is hand rolled cigar tobacco.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the cigar tobacco is machine rolled cigar tobacco.

9. The structure of claim 1, wherein the cigar has a length L and a diameter D, wherein the length L is between 10.5 to 20 centimeters, and wherein the diameter D is between 0.625 and 2.5 centimeters.

10. A method for manufacturing cigars comprising:

rolling a tobacco filler together into the shape of a cigar;

placing the tobacco filler onto a paper wrapper; and

wrapping the paper wrapper together with the tobacco filler into a cigar, wherein the paper wrapper is wrapped substantially around and overlying the tobacco filler.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising imprinting an image on an outer surface of the paper wrapper.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the paper wrapper comprises a printed image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the printed image is an advertisement.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the paper wrapper includes an adhesive layer on an inner surface of the paper wrapper, wherein the adhesive layer is used to hold the paper wrapper to the tobacco filler.

15. A method for manufacturing cigars comprising:

rolling a tobacco filler together into the shape of a cigar; and

wrapping a paper wrapper substantially around and overlying the tobacco filler.

16. A method for displaying images on a cigar comprising:

providing a paper wrapper for the cigar, wherein the paper wrapper overlies the cigar, and wherein the paper wrapper comprises an outer surface on which images are displayed upon, the paper wrapper being dimensioned so as to substantially wrap around and cover the cigar.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the paper wrapper includes an adhesive layer on an inner surface of the paper wrapper, wherein the adhesive layer is used to hold the paper wrapper around the cigar.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the images include advertisements.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the paper wrapper is removably attached to the cigar.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the paper wrapper comprises conventional cigarette paper.