Humidor

Abstract

A humidor for transportation of one or more cigars can comprise a receptacle having a cavity therein, one or more first repositionable means for inhibiting movement of one or more cigars in a first direction within the cavity, and one or more second repositionable means for inhibiting movement of one or more cigars in a second direction within the cavity. Movement of one or more cigars within the humidor can be restricted by positioning at least a first retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of one or more cigars in a first direction and positioning at least a second retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of one or more cigars in a second direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to humidors, and more particularly to travel humidors.

2. Description of the Related Art

A cigar that is dry burns too quickly and causes the cigar to have a bitter and/or harsh taste. On the other hand, a damp cigar does not burn easily and is therefore difficult to draw. Therefore, cigars are generally kept in humidors to maintain a relative humidity of about 68-72% to preserve the taste and draw of the cigars. Additionally, when cigar smokers travel with cigars, they frequently transport their cigars in a travel humidor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that cigars shift within conventional travel humidors during transportation and the cigars' fragile wrappers, binders, and fillers can become damaged. Humidors typically have a lid that includes a cavity or recess to facilitate sealing closure of the humidor. Changes in humidity can cause wooden lids of integral construction to warp, allowing air movement between the interior and exterior of the humidor and, thus, inhibiting the maintenance of a constant desirable humidity level within the humidor. Furthermore, humidors have a receptacle configured to accommodate cigars, which typically has a portion that extends upwardly into the recess in the lid when the humidor is closed and provides a close mating fit with the recess in the lid to inhibit movement of air between the interior and exterior of the humidor. Therefore, humidor lids are typically constructed of multiple pieces and include a recess in the lid. The recess allows movement of the cigars toward the lid and/or into the recess during transportation of cigars within such a humidor. Such movement of the cigars within the humidor can result in damage to the cigars' wrapper, binder, and/or filler. Thus, it is desirable to inhibit movement of cigars within a travel humidor to reduce the likelihood of damage to any cigars within the humidor. While some cigars are packaged in cellophane, cellophane provides only limited protection against physical damage and changes in humidity.

Thus, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a humidor comprises a receptacle, a lid, a first retaining piece, and a second retaining piece. The receptacle comprises a bottom and first, second, third, and fourth sides. The receptacle has a cavity therein defined at least in part by the bottom and sides. This first side and second side are substantially parallel. The distance between the first and second sides defines a cavity length. The third and fourth sides are substantially parallel. The distance between the third and fourth sides defines a cavity width. The lid is sized to cover the cavity. The first retaining piece is repositionable along the cavity length and configured to resist displacement once positioned such that movement of one or more cigars within the humidor is inhibited in a first direction. The second retaining piece is repositionable along the cavity width and configured to resist displacement once positioned such that movement of one or more cigars within the humidor is inhibited in a second direction.

In accordance with at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a humidor for transportation of one or more cigars comprises a receptacle having a cavity therein, a first repositionable means for inhibiting movement of one or more cigars in a first direction within the humidor, and a second repositionable means for inhibiting movement of one or more cigars in a second direction within the humidor.

In accordance with at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a method for restricting movement of one or more cigars within a humidor having a cavity therein to receive the one or more cigars comprises the steps of positioning at least a first retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of one or more cigars in a first direction and positioning at least a second retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of one or more cigars in a second direction.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of the invention disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings of the preferred embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the invention. The drawings contain the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of a retaining piece.

FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement of a plurality of retaining pieces within a receptacle of a humidor.

FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of a plurality of retaining pieces within a receptacle of a humidor.

FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of a plurality of retaining pieces within a receptacle of a humidor.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the humidor of FIG. 5 along line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidor 100. Illustrated humidor 100 comprises a receptacle 102 and a lid 104 connected by hinges 106, and a plurality of retaining pieces 108a, 108b.

The receptacle illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-6 comprises sides 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and bottom 112. The sides 110 and bottom 112 together form, at least in part, a cavity 114 that is configured to accommodate a plurality of cigars 118. The sides 110a and 110c are shown as substantially parallel. The distance between sides 110a and 110c defines a width of the cavity 114. The sides 110b and 110d are also shown as substantially parallel. The distance between sides 110b and 110d defines a length of the cavity 114.

In one embodiment, the cavity 114 has a length that correspond to a first standard cigar size and a length that corresponds to a second standard cigar size. For example, the length of the cavity 114 can be slightly greater than the length of a Robusto cigar, while the width of the cavity 114 can be slightly greater than the length of a Churchill cigar. Other lengths and widths of the cavity 114 are also within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in some embodiments the cavity and/or humidor can have a non-rectangular shape.

The illustrated receptacle 102 also preferably comprises a lip 116 near the perimeter of the cavity 114. The lip 116 can be formed as a separate piece or integrally with sides 110.

The lid 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 comprises sides 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, top 122, cross members 126, and magnets 130. The sides 120 and top 122 together form, at least in part, a recess 124. As may be seen in FIG. 6, lip 116 of receptacle 102 is in close proximity to the sides 120 of lid 104. In some embodiments, the lip 116 and sides 120 may have a slight interference fit. A close or tight fit restricts airflow between the interior and exterior of the humidor 100 while the lid 104 is closed to help maintain the relative humidity within the humidor 100.

In at least one embodiment, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the humidor 100 comprises one or more cross members 126. The cross members 126 shown in FIG. 1 extend between sides 120b and 120d. In other embodiments, the cross members can extend between sides 120a and 120c, between sides 120a and 120b, or between sides 120b and 120c, for example. While the illustrated embodiment shows the cross members 126 extending completely between two sides 120, in other embodiments the cross members 126 can extend only partially between sides 120. Also, while the illustrated embodiment shows the cross members 126 as substantially parallel to sides 120a and 120c, in other embodiments the cross members 126 can be oriented at an angle to one or more sides 120. Furthermore, while the cross members 126 illustrated in FIG. 6 abut the top 122, in other embodiments the cross members 126 can be either integrally formed with the top 122 or spaced from the top 122. The cross members can be curved or other shapes, configurations and/or arrangements.

The lid 104 of FIGS. 1 and 6 comprises two cross members 126, however, in other embodiments the lid can comprise fewer or more than two cross members 126. FIGS. 1 and 6 illustrate cross members 126 that have one possible cross-sectional shape. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other cross-sectional shapes may be used, for example, cross-sectional shapes having square or rounded edges.

The lid 104 can comprise two magnets 130 attached to the lower side of top 122, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the lid comprises fewer or more than two magnets 130. Magnets 130 can serve as attachment points for accessories, such as a humidifier or a hygrometer. Alternatively, other means may be used for attaching accessories.

A latch 128 can be used for holding the receptacle 102 and the lid 104 closed. The latch 128 can comprise a magnetic latch as shown. For example, one of a magnet or a metal piece can be attached in one side of the receptacle 102, while the other of the magnet and metal piece can be attached to the lid 104 at a corresponding location such that the magnet attracts the metal piece to hold the receptacle 102 and the lid 104 closed. Some embodiments of humidor 100 can comprise more than one latch 128 and may comprise one or more non-magnetic latches, such as a mechanical latch or other type of latch known to those of skill in the art.

The receptacle 102 and the lid 104 can be made from Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF), mahogany, Spanish cedar, or other suitable material known to those of skill in the art. In some embodiments, such as embodiments in which the receptacle 102 and the lid 104 are made from MDF, the interior can be covered with a veneer, such as mahogany, Spanish cedar, or other suitable veneer known to those of skill in the art, including paper veneers. The exterior surfaces of the receptacle 102 and the lid 104 may be stained, painted, or covered with a veneer to provide an attractive external appearance on the humidor 100. The exterior of bottom 112 of receptacle 102 may be covered in velvet or other soft material to provide a nonslip surface that will not damage furniture or other objects.

The embodiment of the humidor 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5 comprises two hinges 106 connecting the receptacle 102 and the lid 104. In other embodiments, the receptacle 102 and the lid 104 may be attached by a single hinge 106 or more than two hinges 106, or may not be attached by hinges. For example, lid 104 can be completely removable from the receptacle 102. In such an embodiment, the receptacle 102 and lid 104 can be held together by two latches or by other means known to those of skill in the art. The hinges 106, if used, may be of any type known to those of skill in the art.

The retaining pieces 108 are positioned within the cavity 114 to inhibit movement of one or more cigars 118 within the humidor 100. Various means may be employed for positioning retaining pieces 108 within the cavity 114 so as to inhibit movement of cigars 118 within the humidor 100 and the recess 124. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-6, the retaining pieces 108 are held in place by interference between the retaining pieces 108 and the sides of the cavity 114. Retaining pieces 108 can be held in place by other means known to those of skill in the art.

A first retaining piece 108a is illustrated in FIG. 1 as having a length corresponding to the width of the cavity 114 while a second retaining piece 108b is illustrated as having a length corresponding to the length of the cavity 114. Each retaining piece 108 also has a width w and thickness t as shown in FIG. 2. The width w of retaining pieces 108 may be less than, equal to, or slightly greater than a standard cigar diameter. However, if the width w of retaining pieces 108 is much greater than a standard cigar diameter, then the cigars may be allowed to move within the humidor 100 and become damaged.

A frictional fit between a retaining piece 108 and the cavity 114 can be achieved by providing the retaining piece 108 with a length slightly greater than the dimension of the cavity 114 at the location where the retaining piece 108 is to be positioned. In another embodiment, the retaining piece 108 can be made of a resilient material with a length greater than the dimension of the cavity 114 at the location where the retaining piece 108 is to be positioned such that the retaining piece 108 is deflected while being positioned within the cavity 114 then allowed to return to its natural shape to hold the retaining piece 108 within the cavity 114. In yet another embodiment, the retaining pieces 108 can have a resilient member 132 at one end of retaining pieces 108, as shown in FIG. 2, or both ends of the retaining pieces 108. The resilient member 132 can comprise leather, rubber, velvet or other suitably resilient material. The retaining pieces 108 can comprise wood, plastic, or other suitable material known to those of skill in the art.

Movement of one or more cigars 118 within a humidor 100 can be restricted by placing one or more cigars 118 in close proximity to one another and to a side 110, such as side 110a as shown in FIG. 1. A retaining piece 108b is positioned in close proximity to cigars 118. The close placement of cigars 118 between side 110a and retainer piece 108b inhibits the movement of cigars 118 in a direction between side 110a and side 110c. A second retaining piece 108a is positioned above the cigars 118. The retaining piece 108a inhibits movement of the cigars 118 in a direction between bottom 112 and top 122 or impedes movement of the cigars 118 into recess 124, or both. Preferably, each retaining piece 108b that is positioned above cigars 118 is also positioned such that it underlies one or more cross members 126 when the lid 104 is closed such that cross member 126 provide additional protection against shifting of the retaining pieces 108b and, therefore, against shifting of the cigars 118 during transportation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cigars 118 are placed close to each other and to side 110d. The retaining piece 108a is positioned in close proximity to cigars 118. The close placement of cigars 118 between side 110d and the retaining piece 108a inhibits movement of cigars 118 in a direction between side 110b and 110d. The retaining piece 108b is positioned above cigars 118. The retaining piece 108b inhibits movement of cigars 118 in a direction between bottom 112 and top 122 or impedes movement of the cigars 118 into recess 124, or both. Preferably, each retaining piece 108b that is positioned above cigars 118 is also positioned such that it underlies one or more cross members 126 when the lid 104 is closed such that cross member 126 provide additional protection against shifting of the retaining pieces 108b and, therefore, against shifting of the cigars 118 during transportation.

As will be recognized, FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate an embodiment that provides flexibility in placing cigars of a first size along the length of the cavity 114 or cigars of a second size along the width of the cavity 114, while protecting the cigars in either arrangement from damage by movement within the humidor in two directions.

Humidor 100 can comprise a plurality of retaining pieces 108a and/or a plurality of retaining pieces 108b. The plurality of retaining pieces 108a and the plurality of retaining pieces 108b can be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4. The positioning of retaining pieces 108 in FIG. 4 is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, an additional retaining piece 108a is positioned between cigars 118. An additional retaining piece 108b is positioned above cigars 118. The retaining pieces 108b are spaced apart to inhibit movement of cigars 118 at multiple locations along the length of the cigars 118.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to any specific number of retaining pieces. For example, humidor 100 can comprise one or more retaining pieces 108a and one or more retaining pieces 108b for each cigar 118 so that each cigar may be protected individually from movement within the humidor 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates cigars 118 as positioned within the cavity 114 near side 110a. A first retaining piece 108b is positioned in close proximity to cigars 118. Another retaining piece 108b is positioned adjacent side 110c. The retaining pieces 108a are positioned above cigars 118. The retaining pieces 108a inhibit movement of cigars 118 in a direction between bottom 112 and top 122 or impede movement of the cigars 118 into recess 124, or both. The retaining piece 108b can thus advantageously support the ends of retaining pieces 108a where they engage side 110c to provide additional security against shifting of slats 108a. Preferably, each retaining piece 108b that is positioned above cigars 118 is also positioned such that it underlies one or more cross members 126 when the lid 104 is closed such that cross member 126 provide additional protection against shifting of the retaining pieces 108b and, therefore, against shifting of the cigars 118 during transportation.

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the humidor 100 along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 with lid 104 in a closed position. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment including cross members 126, wherein the width w of retaining pieces 108b and the thickness t of retaining piece 108a are together approximately equal to the distance between the bottom 134 of the cross members 126 and the bottom 112. If the width w of retaining piece 108b and the thickness t of retaining piece 108a together exceed the distance between the bottom 134 of the cross members 126 and the bottom 112 then the lid 104 may not be permitted to close completely in some arrangements or the cigars can be crushed and damaged. Contact or close proximity of the cross members 126 to the retaining pieces 108 placed above the cigars 118 when and the lid 104 is closed can provide additional security against shifting of the retaining pieces 108 placed above the cigars and, therefore, against shifting of the cigars 118 during transportation.

In other embodiments, the width w of the retaining members 108b and the thickness t of retaining members 108a are together less than the distance between the bottom 134 of the cross members 126 and the bottom 112. However, the diameter of cigars 118 and the thickness t of retaining pieces 108a are preferably approximately equal to or slightly less than the distance between the cross members 126 and the bottom 112 to avoid damage to the cigars 118 when the lid 104 is closed.

While the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3-6 illustrate only a single layer of cigars 118 within cavity 114, the present invention is so limited. The cavity 114 can have a depth sufficient to accommodate multiple layers of cigars, for example, two, three or more layers of cigars. In such an embodiment, one or more retaining pieces 108 can be positioned within the cavity 114 to prevent movement of the cigars 118 in each layer in a direction between the sides, while one or more other retaining pieces 108 can be positioned above each layer of cigars, for example.

In some embodiments, humidor 100 can also comprise one or more fillers that can be positioned within the cavity 114 between the ends of cigars 118 and a side of the receptacle, for example, referring to FIG. 4, between the cigars 118 and side 110a. Such fillers can have any suitable size and shape to fill the space between then end of a cigar 118 and a side of the receptacle 102. For example, the fillers can have a round, rectangular or other cross-sectional shape. The fillers can have a dimension that corresponds to the diameter of a cigar 118. Humidor 100 can comprise a plurality of fillers of various lengths, and/or a plurality of fillers with a relatively short length that can be placed adjacently to one another as necessary to fill the space between the ends of the cigars 118 and a side of the receptacle 102. The fillers can be made of foam, wood, plastic or other material.

Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the embodiments of the present invention herein described should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A humidor, comprising:

a receptacle comprising a bottom and first, second, third, and fourth sides; the receptacle having a cavity therein defined at least in part by the bottom and sides, the first side and second side being substantially parallel, the distance between the first side and second side defining a cavity length, the third and fourth sides being substantially parallel, the distance between the third and fourth sides defining a cavity width;

a lid sized to cover the cavity;

a first retaining piece that is repositionable along the cavity length and configured to resist displacement once positioned such that movement of one or more cigars within the humidor is inhibited in a first direction; and

a second retaining piece that is repositionable along the cavity width and configured to resist displacement once positioned such that movement of one or more cigars within the humidor is inhibited in a second direction.

2. The humidor of claim 1, wherein the first direction is generally toward the lid.

3. The humidor of claim 1, wherein the second direction is generally along the cavity width.

4. The humidor of claim 1, wherein the first retaining piece has a width, the first retaining piece being positionable within the cavity such that the width is oriented either substantially vertically or substantially horizontally.

5. The humidor of claim 1, wherein the first retaining piece has a length corresponding to the cavity width such that the first retaining piece frictionally engages the third side and fourth side to resist displacement.

6. The humidor of claim 5, wherein the first retaining piece includes a piece of resilient material at least one end of the first retaining piece.

7. The humidor of claim 6, wherein the resilient material is leather.

8. The humidor of claim 1, wherein the length is slightly greater than a first standard cigar length and the width is slightly greater than a second standard cigar length.

9. The humidor of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a recess and at least one cross member substantially spanning the recess.

10. The humidor of claim 9, further comprising at least a second cross member substantially spanning the recess.

11. The humidor of claim 9, wherein the first retaining piece has a height and the second retaining piece has a thickness, the height of the first retaining piece and the thickness of the second retaining piece together being no greater than the distance between the cross member and the bottom of the receptacle.

12. A humidor for transportation of one or more cigars, comprising:

a receptacle having a cavity therein;

a first repositionable means for inhibiting movement of one or more cigars in a first direction within the humidor; and

a second repositionable means for inhibiting movement of one or more cigars in a second direction within the humidor.

13. The humidor of claim 12, wherein the first repositionable means comprises a slat.

14. The humidor of claim 13, wherein the first repositionable means further comprises a resilient material at least one end of the slat.

15. The humidor of claim 12, wherein the first direction is generally vertical and the second direction is generally horizontal.

16. A method for restricting movement of one or more cigars within a humidor having a cavity therein to receive the one or more cigars, comprising the steps of:

positioning at least a first retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of one or more cigars in a first direction;

positioning at least a second retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of one or more cigars in a second direction.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first direction is generally vertical and the second direction is generally horizontal.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first retaining piece is positioned such that the one or more cigars are snugly positioned between a side of the cavity and the first retaining piece.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second retaining piece is positioned such that the one or more cigars are snugly positioned between a bottom of the cavity and the second retaining piece.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning a third retaining piece within the cavity to inhibit movement of the one or more cigars in the first direction.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the second retaining piece is positioned so as to substantially abut the first retaining piece.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising closing a lid of the humidor such that at least one cross member within the lid inhibits dislocation of one of the first retaining piece or the second retaining piece in a direction toward the lid.