METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING CIGARS

Abstract

A cigar fabricating apparatus, comprising of a container having a bottom panel, one or more side walls, an interior and an open top above said bottom panel. Said container supports an elevated panel that is positioned in between said bottom panel and said open top, said elevated panel dividing said interior into upper and lower sections with an upper closure that enables the open top to be closed. The interior has a shell holder above the elevated panel, the shell holder having multiple separate loading stations and a plurality of shells, each shell sized and shaped to removably fit and occupy a loading station. Multiple shells can be filled with smokable filler material. Panel openings in the elevated panel enable any misdirected tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells via the open top to fall below the elevated panel and to said lower section. Smokable filler material that is dispensable into said container and shells via said open top, wherein the divider and elevated panel openings are so positioned that the shells occupying the shell holder do not block smokable filler flow through the openings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/505,490, filed on May 12, 2017, which application is incorporated herein by reference and priority to/of which application is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for constructing cigars or related smoking articles wherein a container with storage locations hold multiple shells, tubes, cones or cylinders to be filled and wherein during the filling process excess filler material falls into a lower section of the container for later reuse.

BACKGROUND

A constructing of cigars typically employs an outer shell which can be cylindrically shaped or coned shaped or frusto conical or tube shaped. The cones, shells, tubes or cylinders are then filled with a smokable material such as tobacco. This process can be tedious if a user attempts to fill one tube or shell or cone or cylinder at a time. It will therefore be useful to be able to fill multiple shells, tubes, cones or cylinders simultaneously and without wasteful loss of excess or misdirected tobacco filler material.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention provides a cigar fabricating method and apparatus that employs a specially configured container having a bottom panel, one or more side panels, an interior and an open top opposite the bottom panel.

The container supports an elevated panel that is positioned in between said bottom panel and the open top. The elevated panel divides the interior into upper and lower sections.

An upper closure panel enables the open top to be closed.

An insert fits the interior above the elevated panel, the insert having dividers that define multiple separate loading stations, each configured to hold a shell, cylinder, cone or tube to be filled.

There are panel openings in the elevated panel that enable any misdirected tobacco to fall into the lower section. A plurality of shells are provided, each removably fitted to and occupying a loading station. There can be two shells at each loading station such as nested shells. The shells can be cones, tubes or cylinders. As part of the method, smokable filler material (e.g. tobacco) is added to the open top to fill the cones or shells. The filler such as tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells via the open top. Some filler misses the shells and falls below the elevated panel and to the lower section.

As part of the method, multiple shells are filled at the same time with smokable filler material.

The divider and elevated panel openings are so positioned that the shells occupying the insert do not block tobacco filler flow through the openings.

In one embodiment, the container is a box having multiple flat sides.

In one embodiment, the insert includes multiple intersecting panels.

In one embodiment, the panels are generally vertically positioned.

In one embodiment, the upper section can be larger than the lower section.

In one embodiment, each loading station has a panel opening.

In one embodiment, each shell is generally conically shaped.

In one embodiment, each cone has a tapered shape.

In one embodiment, one of the sides is a movable panel that is movable between open and closed positions.

In one embodiment, a cigar fabricating apparatus provides a container having connecting upper and lower sections, an interior and an open top.

In one embodiment, an elevated panel is positioned in between said bottom panel and the open top, the elevated panel dividing the interior into upper and lower sections.

An upper closure enables the open top to be closed.

In one embodiment, the interior has a shell holder above the elevated panel, the shell holder having multiple separate loading stations.

A plurality of shells are provided, each shell sized and shaped to removably fit and occupy a loading station.

A smokable filler material is provided for filling the shells.

Panel openings in the elevated panel enable any misdirected tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells via the open top to fall below the elevated panel and to the lower section.

The smokable filler material is dispensable into the container and shells via the open top.

The divider and elevated panel openings are so positioned that the shells occupying the shell holder do not block smokable filler flow (misdirected flow) through the openings.

In one embodiment, the container has a generally cylindrical shape.

In one embodiment, the shell holder includes multiple interior panels, each loading station surrounded by multiple interior panels.

In one embodiment, the interior panels are generally vertically positioned.

In one embodiment, the upper section is larger than the lower section.

In one embodiment, each loading station has multiple panel openings.

In one embodiment, each shell is generally conically shaped.

In one embodiment, each shell is generally cylindrically shaped.

In one embodiment, each shell is generally tube shaped.

In one embodiment, each shell has a tapered shape.

In one embodiment, the container has an upper section that is cylindrically shaped that is removably connectable to a lower section that is cylindrically shaped.

The present invention provides a method of fabricating cigars.

The method steps include:

a) providing a container having a bottom panel, one or more side panels, an interior and an open top opposite said bottom panel;

b) the container supporting an elevated panel that is positioned in between the bottom panel and the open top, the elevated panel dividing the interior into upper and lower sections;

c) providing an upper closure panel that enables the open top to be closed;

d) supporting an insert or shell holder within the interior above the elevated panel, the insert having dividers that define multiple separate loading stations;

e) placing a plurality of shells in the insert or shell holder, each shell occupying a loading station;

f) enabling any misdirected tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells (filler that does not enter a shell) via the open top to fall below the elevated panel and to the lower section via one or more panel openings;

g) positioning the shells so that they do not block tobacco filler flow through the panel openings; and

h) adding smokable filler material into the container and shells via the open top.

In one embodiment, the container is a box having multiple flat sides and surrounding each shell with said sides.

In one embodiment, the insert includes multiple intersecting divider panels and surrounding each shell with multiple divider panels.

In one embodiment, the panels are generally vertically positioned.

In one embodiment, the shells are nested one inside another.

In one embodiment, each loading station has a panel opening or multiple openings.

In one embodiment, each shell is generally conically shaped and stacking one shell inside another shell.

In one embodiment, each cone has a tapered shape.

In one embodiment, one of the sides is a movable panel that is movable between open and closed positions.

In one embodiment, the container has a generally cylindrical shape.

In one embodiment, the shell holder includes multiple interior panels, each loading station surrounded by multiple interior panels.

In one embodiment, the interior panels are generally vertically positioned.

In one embodiment, the upper section is larger than the lower section.

In one embodiment, each loading station has multiple panel openings.

In one embodiment, each shell is generally conically shaped and further comprising nesting one shell inside another shell to provide nested shells and filling and removing one of the shells of said nested shells followed by filling the other shell of the nested shells.

In various embodiments the smokable products are comprised of smokable materials chosen from any combination of the following materials: natural leaf, homogenized tobacco paper, pipe tobacco, different types of flavored tobacco, cellulose (clear, opaque, or colored), bleached or non-bleached paper, cigarette paper, rice paper, tea leaves, kanna, blue lotus, salvia, salvia eivinorm, wild dagga, kratom, herbal non-tobacco, Celandine Poppy, Mugwort, Purple Lavender Flowers, Coltsfoot Leaf, Ginger root, California Poppy, Sinicuichi, St. John's Wort, Capillarius herba, Yerba Lenna Yesca, Calea Zacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, hemp, Hemia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, chocolate, herbal components, and/or lactuca virosa.

In various embodiments the smokable filler material used to make a custom cigar or cigarillo is selected from any combination of the following types of filler material: smoking tobacco, pipe tobacco, different types of flavored tobacco, tea leaves, kanna, blue lotus, salvia, salvia eivinorm, wild dagga, kratom, herbal non-tobacco, Celandine Poppy, Mugwort, Purple Lavender Flowers, Coltsfoot Leaf, Ginger root, California Poppy, Sinicuichi, St. John's Wort, Capillarius herba, Yerba Lenna Yesca, Calea Zacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, Hemia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, and/or lactuca virosa.

In various embodiments the smokable products and/or smokable fillers can include liquid for moisturizing, and also preferably includes flavoring and/or scenting. The liquid can be, in whole or in part, water, alcohol, solvent, oil, propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, glycerin, benzyl alcohol as examples. The liquid can be flavored and/or scented with items such as for example apple, apple martini, berries, blueberry, champagne, chocolate, coco/vanilla, cognac, cosmo, gin, grape, honey, lychee, mango, menthol, mint choco, peach, piña colada, punch, purple, rum, strawberry/kiwi, vanilla, watermelon, wet cherry, and/or whiskey. This flavored liquid is typically applied at levels of between about 0.01 to 45% by weight, and preferably between about 0.1% to 10% by weight. This flavored liquid is typically applied to the at least one pre-rolled sheet with a carrier liquid such as ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, water or the like. Glycerin and invert sugar can also be used as a carrier. Some humectants can also be used, however, little or no humectants can be used. In general terms, the flavors can be provided by botanical extracts, essential oils, or artificial flavor chemicals, any one of which or a combination thereof mixed with a carrying solvent such as propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, glycerin, benzyl alcohol, or other alcohol, for example. Other flavors can include cocoa, licorice, coffee, vanilla or other botanical extracts. Essentials oils can be used such as wine essence, cognac oil, rose oil, mate or other oils.

While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the front panels in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the front panels in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; and

FIGS. 20-22 are exploded perspective views of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a cylindrical alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 24-26 are top views of various inserts that can be used with the embodiment shown in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-22 show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designate generally by the numeral 10. FIGS. 1-19 also show the method of the present invention.

Cigar fabricating apparatus 10 provides a container, box or cabinet 11. The upper end portion of the box, container or cabinet 11 can have an open top 34 that can be closed with a removable cover or lid 12. Container 11 has interior 13. Interior 13 contains an insert or shell support 14. Insert or shell support 14 can be removable from container 11 or not removable. Interior 13 has upper section 36 above panel 22 and lower section 37 below panel 22 (see FIG. 9).

In one embodiment, container 11 can be a generally cube shaped box having side panels 16, 17, rear panel 15, bottom panel 20 and front panels 18, 19. Front panels 18, 19 can include shorter panel 18 and longer panel 19. Also provided are closure panel 21 and elevated panel 22. Flap 23 can be an extension of elevated panel 22. Flap 23 can be folded or hinged to elevated panel 22 at hinge or fold 29.

Insert or shell support 14 provides multiple shell loading positions 30 (see FIG. 10). Insert or shell holder 14 can be formed of multiple intersecting divider panels 25, 26, 27, 28. In FIGS. 1-19 an exemplary nine (9) load holding positions 30 are provided. The apparatus 10 of the present invention enables simultaneous filling of multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31, 32 with a selected smokable filler material 33 such as tobacco. When such filler material 33 is added to the shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31 via open top 34 (e.g., see FIGS. 11-13), some filler material 33 fills the shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31 while other filler material 33 is excess or misdirected filler that falls to and through elevated panel 22 and into lower sections 37 (see FIGS. 14-19). Elevated panel 22 has openings 24. The lower end 39 of each cone or shell or tube or cylinder 31 rests upon elevated panel 22 but does not block openings 24 as seen in FIG. 8.

In order to fill multiple shells 31 with a smokable filler material 33, each cone, shell, cylinder or tube 32 is placed in container 11 and into a load holding position 30. In one embodiment, stacked tubes, cones, shells or cylinders 31, 32 can be placed in each load holding position 30 (see FIGS. 3, 7,8). Smokable filler material 33 (e.g., tobacco) is added to container 11 via open top 34 (see arrows 45, 46 in FIG. 12). A user then covers open top 34 with cover or lid 12 (see arrows 47, 48 FIG. 13). Container 11 is then shaken in order to fill each shell, tube, cone/cylinder 31 with filler material 33 (see FIG. 14, arrows 73, 74 and arrows 75 FIG. 15). Any excess or overflow of material 33 falls through panel openings 24 and into lower section 37 of container 11 where it collects for later reuse. An upper shell 32 of the nested shells 31, 32 is now filled and can be removed. After removal of the filled upper shells 32, the same procedure is used to fill the lower shells 31 (see arrows 35 in FIG. 19).

FIGS. 20-22 show an additional embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 50. In FIGS. 20-22, a three part housing includes middle, upper and lower sections that are connected together in telescoping fashion. In FIGS. 20-21, housing center section 51 is provided. In FIG. 22, housing center section 52 is provided.

In FIGS. 20 and 21, the housing center section 51 has an upper shoulder 53, lower shoulder 54, upper edge 55. Raised panel 58 can be connected to housing center section 51 at hinge 60. Raised panel 58 has openings 59 that function on the same manner as the openings 24, 43, of screen 44 of FIG. 10. Lid 56 fits over upper edge 55 and seats or stops against upper shoulder 53. Lid 56 has lower edge 57 that rests upon and engages shoulder 53 when the lid 56 is placed in a closed position on center section 51.

In FIG. 21, raised panel 58 has been rotated about 180 degrees. This rotation is indicated by arrow 61 in FIG. 20. Thus in FIG. 21, the raised panel 58 is not visible as panel 58 is located at the bottom of center section 51. In FIGS. 20 and 21, housing lower section 62 has a bottom panel 63 and four (4) side panels 64. Housing lower section 62 has an open top 65 that is receptive of the lower portion of housing center section 51. Housing lower section 62 provides an upper edge 66 that engages lower shoulder 54 when center section 51 is attached to housing lower section 62.

In FIG. 22, housing lower section 67 has an upper shoulder 68 and upper edge 69 above the shoulder 68. In FIG. 22, center section 52 has a bottom opening 71 that is receptive of housing lower section 67. When housing lower section 67 is assembled to housing center section 52 in FIG. 22, edge 69 extends into housing center section 52. Lower edge 72 of center section 52 engages and rests upon shoulder 68. As with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-21, a bottom panel 63 is provided on housing section 52, being pivotally attached thereto or being a separate part that rests upon upper edge 69 of lower section 67.

It should be understood that while a squared or cube construction is shown in FIGS. 20-22, another shape such as a cylindrically shaped cigar fabricating apparatus 50 could be constructed using cylindrically shaped upper, central and lower sections instead of the cubed shaped sections shown in FIGS. 20-22.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a cylindrical alternate embodiment 150. Alternative cigar fabricating apparatus 150 can comprise housing interior center section 160, housing exterior section 180, and lid 156.

Housing interior center section 160 can comprise upper edge 161 and lower edge 174 with interior space 162 being between the upper 161 and lower 174 edges.

Between upper 161 and lower 174 edges can be first slot 163, second slot 166, and third slot 170. Opposite of first slot 163 can be opposing first slot 164. Opposite of second slot 166 can be opposing second slot 167. Opposite of third slot 170 can be opposing third slot 171.

Housing exterior section 180 can comprise upper edge 181 and lower edge 185 with interior space 182 being between the upper 181 and lower 185 edges.

Lid 156 can include bottom portion 157.

Upper insert 200 can comprise first face 210 having a smaller radius surface 230 and a larger radius surface 240, along with a tab 245. The transitions between smaller 230 and larger 240 radius surfaces can include shoulders 232. First face 210 can include a first plurality of smaller openings 250 and a second plurality of larger openings 260. The second plurality of larger openings 260 can be sized to fit the exterior surface of a conical smoking product. The first plurality of smaller openings 250 can be sized to allow smokable filler to pass through but not allow the exterior surface of a conical tobacco product to pass through.

Middle insert 300 can comprise first face 310 having a smaller radius surface 330 and a larger radius surface 340, along with a tab 345. The transitions between smaller 330 and larger 340 radius surfaces can include shoulders 332. First face 310 can include a first plurality of smaller openings 350 and a second plurality of larger openings 360. The second plurality of larger openings 360 can be sized to fit the exterior surface of a conical smoking product. The first plurality of smaller openings 350 can be sized to allow smokable filler to pass through but not allow the exterior surface of a conical tobacco product to pass through. The second plurality of larger openings 360 can be smaller than the second plurality of larger openings 260, but larger than the first plurality of smaller openings 250 and first plurality of smaller openings 350.

Lower insert 400 can comprise first face 410 having a smaller radius surface 430 and a larger radius surface 440, along with a tab 445. The transitions between smaller 430 and larger 440 radius surfaces can include shoulders 432. First face 410 can include a plurality of openings 460 which can be sized to allow smokable filler to pass through but not allow the exterior surface of a conical tobacco product to pass through.

As schematically indicated in FIG. 23 upper insert 200 can be inserted into first slot 163 where tab 245 enters opposing first slot 165 until shoulders 232 contact the edges of first slot 163. In this manner upper insert 200 can be supported by housing interior section 160.

As schematically indicated in FIG. 23 middle insert 300 can be inserted into second slot 166 where tab 345 enters opposing second slot 167 until shoulders 332 contact the edges of second slot 166. In this manner middle insert 300 can be supported by housing interior section 160.

As schematically indicated in FIG. 23 lower insert 400 can be inserted into third slot 170 where tab 445 enters opposing third slot 171 until shoulders 432 contact the edges of third slot 170. In this manner lower insert 400 can be supported by housing interior section 160.

As schematically indicated by FIG. 23 housing exterior section 180 can be slid over housing interior section 160 and thereby lock into place upper 200, middle 300, and lower 400 inserts relative to housing interior section. Also as schematically indicated by FIG. 23 lid 156 can be placed over the combination of housing interior 160 and exterior 180 sections thereby creating an enclosed volume of the interior 162 of housing interior section 160.

Once assembled the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 through 26 is used in substantially the same way as other embodiments for filling smokable products (e.g., multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31, 32) with smokable filler. Multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31,32 can be inserted into the interior 162 of middle housing section 160 via plurality of larger openings 260 of upper insert 200 and plurality of larger openings 360 of middle insert 300. Lower insert 400 will support the inserted multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31,32. Smokable filler is added by a user above upper insert 200, top 150 is placed on opt of the now closed device and it is shaken. The added smokable filler will both enter the interiors of the multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31,32 with some of the filler passing through the upper insert via plurality of smaller holes 250 and entering the space between upper insert 200 and middle insert 300. Additional shaking will cause this quantity of smokable filler to pass through middle insert via plurality of smaller holes 350 and enter the space between middle insert 300 and lower insert 400. Additional shaking will again cause this quantity of smokable filler to pass through lower insert 400 via plurality of smaller holes 460 and enter the space between lower insert 400 and bottom 174. After the multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31,32 are filled with smokable filler via this process of adding smokable filler above upper insert 200 and shaking, interior section 160 can be pulled out of exterior section 180 and the retained smokable filler in the space between lower insert 400 and bottom 180 recovered from the interior 182 of exterior housing section 180.

In various embodiments middle insert 300 can be omitted with only upper insert 200 and lower insert 400 used. Middle insert 300 is used primarily to maintain a substantially vertical position for multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31,32. If middle insert 300 is not used it is envisioned that the lower ends of multiple shells, tubes, cylinders or cones 31,32 would shift relative to lower insert 400 during the filling and shaking process.

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

PARTS LIST:
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
10          cigar fabricating apparatus
11          box/container/cabinet
12          cover/lid
13          interior
14          insert/shell support/shell holder
15          rear panel
16          side panel
17          side panel
18          front shorter panel
19          front longer panel
20          bottom panel
21          closure panel
22          elevated panel
23          flap
24          opening
25          divider panel
25          divider panel
26          divider panel
27          divider panel
28          divider panel
29          hinge/fold
30          shell loading position
31          shell/tube/cylinder/cone
32          shell/tube/cylinder/cone
33          tobacco filler material/smokable material
34          open top
35          user
36          upper section
37          lower section
38          upper end cone/shell
39          lower end cone/shell
40          upper end of insert
41          lower end of insert
42          arrow
43          smaller diameter opening
44          raised panel/screen
45          arrow
46          arrow
47          arrow
48          arrow
50          cigar fabricating apparatus
51          housing center section
52          housing center section
53          shoulder, upper
54          shoulder, lower
55          upper edge
56          lid/housing upper section
57          lower edge
58          raised panel
59          opening
60          hinge
61          arrow
62          housing lower section
63          bottom panel
64          side panel
65          open top
66          upper edge
67          housing lower section
68          shoulder
69          upper edge
70          open top
71          bottom opening
72          lower edge
73          arrow
74          arrow
150         cigar fabricating apparatus
156         top
157         lower edge of top
160         housing interior center section
161         upper edge
162         interior space
163         first slot
164         first slot for tab
166         second slot
167         second slot for tab
170         third slot
171         third slot for tab
174         lower edge
177         exterior surface
180         housing exterior center section
181         upper edge
182         interior
185         bottom
186         interior surface
187         exterior surface
200         upper insert
210         first face
220         second face
230         smaller radius surface
232         shoulders between smaller and larger radius surfaces
240         larger radius surface
245         tab
250         plurality of smaller openings
260         plurality of larger openings
300         middle insert
310         first face
320         second face
330         smaller radius surface
332         shoulders between smaller and larger radius surfaces
340         larger radius surface
345         tab
350         plurality of smaller openings
360         plurality of larger openings
400         lower insert
410         first face
420         second face
430         smaller radius surface
432         shoulders between smaller and larger radius surfaces
440         larger radius surface
445         tab
450         plurality of smaller openings
460         plurality of larger openings

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A cigar fabricating apparatus, comprising:

a) a container having a bottom panel, one or more side panels, an interior and an open top opposite said bottom panel;

b) said container supporting an elevated panel that is positioned in between said bottom panel and said open top, said elevated panel dividing said interior into upper and lower sections;

c) an upper closure panel that enables the open top to be closed;

d) an insert that fits the interior above the elevated panel, the insert having dividers that define multiple separate loading stations;

e) a plurality of shells that each removably fit and occupy a loading station;

f) panel openings in the elevated panel that enable any misdirected tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells via the open top to fall below the elevated panel and to said lower section;

g) multiple shells to be filled with smokable filler material;

h) wherein the divider and elevated panel openings are so positioned that the shells occupying the insert do not block tobacco filler flow through the openings; and

i) smokable filler material that is dispensable into said container and shells via said open top.

2. The cigar fabricating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container is a box having multiple flat sides.

3. The cigar fabricating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the insert includes multiple intersecting panels.

4. The cigar fabricating apparatus of claim 3 wherein the panels are generally vertically positioned.

5-8. (canceled)

9. The cigar fabricating apparatus of claim 2 wherein one of the sides is a movable panel that is movable between open and closed positions.

10. A cigar fabricating apparatus, comprising:

a) a container having a bottom panel, one or more side walls, an interior and an open top above said bottom panel;

b) said container supporting an elevated panel that is positioned in between said bottom panel and said open top, said elevated panel dividing said interior into upper and lower sections;

c) an upper closure that enables the open top to be closed;

d) the interior having a shell holder above the elevated panel, the shell holder having multiple separate loading stations;

e) a plurality of shells, each shell sized and shaped to removably fit and occupy a loading station;

f) multiple shells to be filled with smokable filler material;

g) panel openings in the elevated panel that enable any misdirected tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells via the open top to fall below the elevated panel and to said lower section;

h) smokable filler material that is dispensable into said container and shells via said open top; and

i) wherein the divider and elevated panel openings are so positioned that the shells occupying the shell holder do not block smokable filler flow through the openings.

11-14. (canceled)

15. The cigar fabricating apparatus of claim 10 wherein each loading station has multiple panel openings.

16-19. (canceled)

20. The cigar fabricating apparatus of claim 11 wherein the container has an upper section that is cylindrically shaped that is removably connectable to a lower section that is cylindrically shaped.

21. A method of fabricating cigars comprising the steps of:

a) providing a container having a bottom panel, one or more side panels, an interior and an open top opposite said bottom panel;

b) said container of step “a” supporting an elevated panel that is positioned in between said bottom panel and said open top, said elevated panel dividing said interior into upper and lower sections;

c) providing an upper closure panel that enables the open top to be closed;

d) supporting an insert within said interior above the elevated panel, the insert having dividers that define multiple separate loading stations;

e) placing a plurality of shells in said insert, each shell occupying a said loading station;

f) enabling any misdirected tobacco filler that is dispensed to the shells via the open top to fall below the elevated panel and to said lower section via one or more panel openings;

g) positioning the shells so that they do not block tobacco filler flow through the panel openings; and

h) adding smokable filler material into said container and shells via said open top.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the container is a box having multiple flat sides and surrounding each shell with said sides.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the insert includes multiple intersecting divider panels and surrounding each shell with multiple divider panels.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the panels are generally vertically positioned.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the shells are nested one inside another.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein each loading station has a said panel opening.

27-28. (canceled)

29. The method of claim 21 wherein one of the sides is a movable panel that is movable between open and closed positions.

30. (canceled)

31. The method of claim 21 wherein the shell holder includes multiple interior panels, each loading station surrounded by multiple interior panels.

32. The method of claim 21 wherein the interior panels are generally vertically positioned.

33. The method of claim 21 wherein the upper section is larger than the lower section.

34. The method of claim 21 wherein each loading station has multiple panel openings.

35. The method of claim 21 wherein each shell is generally conically shaped and further comprising nesting one shell inside another shell to provide nested shells and filling and removing one of the shells of said nested shells followed by filling the other shell of the nested shells.