CIGAR CHILLER

Abstract

A cigar cooler is disclosed that includes a housing having an upper surface with one or more vertically extending cylindrical channels each sized to receive a cigar. The housing includes an open central region for receiving a cooling medium such as ice or a frozen gel. During use, the cigar is placed in an open channel between inhalations to reduce the temperature of the cigar.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention relates to a device that can keep cigars cool while they are being smoked.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been known to cool cigars prior to lighting them up. However, such pre-cooling is not advisable because it causes the cigar to lose flavor, texture and softness. Such pre-cooling may even crack the cigar wrapper.

The subject invention relates to cooling a cigar during the process of smoking the cigar. Cigars get hot when they are smoked. Even a cigar that has been pre-cooled will get hot very quickly, particularly cigars with large diameters. There is an interest in keeping the temperature of the cigar at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit while smoking the cigar. Keeping the cigar cool maintains the flavors and leads to a more pleasurable experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cigar cooler is disclosed that includes a housing having an upper surface with at least one vertically extending, cylindrical channel sized to receive a cigar. In the preferred embodiment, there are three cylindrical channels.

The subject invention further includes a means located within said housing for cooling the housing, such that the temperature of a lit cigar placed in the cylindrical channel will be lowered. In a preferred embodiment, the cooling means is defined by a chilled or frozen liquid or gel positioned inside the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 are illustrative of a prior art cigar cooler.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigar cooler.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cigar cooler, partially in section.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the cigar cooler.

FIG. 3B is an end view of the cigar cooler.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the cigar cooler, partially in section, along the lines A1-A1 of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 3D is an end view of the cigar cooler, partially in section, along the lines B1-B1 of FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3E is a bottom plan view of the cigar cooler.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooler illustrated with an integral ash tray.

FIGS. 5-8 are illustrative of a cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 6A is a back view of a base of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the base of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the base of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 6D is a sectioned side view of the base of the cigar cooler of the subject invention, along the lines A1-A1 of FIG. 6E.

FIG. 6E is a sectioned front view of the base of the cigar cooler of the subject invention, along the lines B1-B1 of FIG. 6D.

FIG. 6F is a bottom plan view of the base of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 7A is a back view of a lid of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the lid of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the lid of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 7D is a side view of the lid of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 7E is a front view of the lid of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 7F is a bottom plan view of the lid of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 8A is a back view of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

FIG. 8D is a side view of the cigar cooler of the subject invention, partially in section, along the lines A1-A1 of FIG. 8E.

FIG. 8E is a front view of the cigar cooler of the subject invention, partially in section, along the lines B1-B1 of FIG. 8D.

FIG. 8F is a bottom plan view of the cigar cooler of the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cigar cooler 10 of the subject invention includes a housing 20. The top surface 22 of the housing includes two, longitudinally extending open channels 24 and 26, sized to receive cigars. The channels can have the same diameter. Alternatively and as shown in FIG. 1, one channel (24) can have a larger diameter than the other channel (26) to accommodate cigars having different diameters. The channels are preferably open at the ends of the housing so one or both of the ends of a cigar can extend beyond the ends of the housing.

In the preferred embodiment, the housing is formed from two elements, a lid 30 and a base 32. In this embodiment, the channels 24 and 26 are formed in the lid 30. As seen in FIGS. 2, 3C and 3D, the base includes an open region 38. The open region is configured to receive a cooling medium. Suitable cooling media include ice or a chilled or frozen gel. One approach would be to fill the base with water and then put the base in the freezer. In the alternative, gel packs that are frozen could be placed in the open region. It would also be possible to use other cooling means such as a thermoelectric, ceramic cooler that was electrically powered.

The lower surface of the lid 30 can include a lip 40 that mates with the base 32 for a snug fit. The bottom of the base can include feet 42.

The cooling medium should be selected and configured to maintain the cigar at a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit during smoking. In use, it is intended that the person smoking the cigar will periodically place the cigar into the channel on the cooler (between inhalations). In initial experiments, it was found that filling the opening 38 with a frozen gel produces sufficient cooling for about two hours of smoking.

The cigar cooler can further be provided with an integral ashtray 50 as shown in FIG. 4. The ashtray is positioned to catch ashes that drop from the end of the cigar when it is being cooled.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, an alternate embodiment shows the cigar cooler 10 having one or more vertically extending cylindrical channels 44, 46, and 48, sized to receive cigars. The cylindrical channels can have the same diameter. Alternatively and as shown in FIGS. 5-8, the vertically extending cylindrical channels can have different diameters to accommodate cigars having different diameters. Exemplary diameters can include 20 millimeters, 22.5 millimeters, and 25 millimeters, although other diameters are contemplated as well. The cylindrical channels are preferably open at one end so that a lit end of a cigar 52 can extend beyond a top surface of the housing.

It is contemplated that the cigar cooler 10 can contain one or more vertically extending cylindrical channels, one or more longitudinally extending open channels, or some combination of vertically extending cylindrical channels and longitudinally extending open channels.

In this alternate embodiment, the cigar cooler 10 contains one or more hollow regions 56. The hollow regions are configured to receive a cooling medium. Suitable cooling media include ice or a chilled or frozen gel. One approach would be to fill the base with water and then put the base in the freezer. In the alternative, gel packs that are frozen could be placed in the hollow region. It would also be possible to use other cooling means such as a thermoelectric, ceramic cooler that was electrically powered. The hollow regions are in thermal contact with the cylindrical channels such that the hollow regions can cool the cylindrical channels.

In this alternate embodiment, the cigar cooler of the subject invention is shown as comprising a lid 30 and a base 32. It is also contemplated that the cigar cooler of the subject invention can comprise a singular piece. The singular piece has one or more vertically extending cylindrical channels sized to receive a cigar. The cylindrical channels are preferably open at one end so that the lit end of a cigar 52 can extend beyond a top surface of the singular piece. The singular piece also has one or more hollow regions 56, accessible via one or more openings on a surface of the singular piece. The one or more hollow regions 56 are configured to receive a cooling medium as described herein.

In this alternate embodiment, a cigar having a lit end 52 and a smoking end of the cigar that touches a person's lips 54 is preferably placed into the vertically extending cylindrical channel with the lit end 52 extending beyond the top surface of the housing and the smoking end 54 contained within the housing. The cylindrical channel is in thermal contact with the cigar such that the cigar can be cooled when the cigar is placed into the cylindrical channel. An advantage of this alternate embodiment is that the walls of the cylindrical channel completely wrap around the cigar, allowing for the entire outer surface area of the cigar to be cooled without rotating the cigar. Another advantage of this alternate embodiment is that the smoking end 54 can be cooled along with the entire outer surface area of the cigar.

As the cigar is smoked and the length shrinks, spacers may be added to the bottom of the vertically extending channel to keep the lit end 52 above the end of the housing. Preferably, the spacers have a sufficient thermal conductivity such that the smoking end 54 can still be cooled. Metal coins can be a conveniently available spacer with the sufficient thermal conductivity.

While the subject invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, various changes and modifications could be made therein, by one skilled in the art, without varying from the scope and spirit of the subject invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cigar cooler comprising:

a housing, said housing having at least one vertically extending cylindrical channel, said cylindrical channel having an opening at an upper surface of the housing, said channel sized to receive a cigar; and

means within said housing for cooling the cylinder, such that the temperature of a lit cigar placed in the cylindrical channel will be lowered.

2. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 1 where the interior of the housing includes an open region filled with a chilled material to define the cooling means.

3. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 2 wherein the chilled material is water.

4. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 2 wherein the chilled material is a gel.

5. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 1 wherein the cooling means is a thermoelectric cooler.

6. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

one or more spacers that reduce the effective depth of the open channels.

7. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 6 wherein the spacer is metal.

8. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing has three vertically extending cylindrical channels, each cylindrical channel having a different diameter.

9. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

at least one longitudinally extending open channel sized to receive a cigar.

10. A cigar cooler comprising:

a two-part housing including a lid and base, said base having an open inner region, and with said lid having an upper surface with one or more cylindrical channels that extend vertically through the lid and into the base, wherein each cylindrical channel has an opening at the upper surface of the lid, and wherein each cylindrical channel is sized to receive a cigar; and

a cooling material positioned within the open inner region of the base for cooling the one or more cylindrical channels, such that the temperature of a lit cigar placed in one of the cylindrical channels will be lowered.

11. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 10 wherein the cooling material is water.

12. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 10 wherein the cooling material is a gel.

13. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

one or more spacers that reduce the effective depth of the open channels.

14. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 13 wherein the spacer is metal.

15. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

at least one longitudinally extending open channel sized to receive a cigar.

16. A cigar cooler, the cigar having a lit end and an opposed unlit end, said cooler comprising:

a housing having a plurality of cylindrical chambers extending from the top surface of the housing and into the housing with the each chamber having an open upper end for receiving the cigar to be cooled, the housing including an open inner region surrounding the cylindrical chambers; and

a cooling material positioned within the open inner region of the housing for cooling the inner walls of the cylindrical chambers such that in use, a cigar is inserted within one of the cylindrical chambers with the unlit end thereof being inserted first and with the lit end of the cigar projecting above the top surface of the housing and with the cooled inner wall of the one cylindrical chamber functioning to cool the cigar.

17. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 16 wherein there are three cylindrical chambers.

18. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 16 wherein the diameters of the cylindrical chambers are different to accommodate cigars of different diameters.

19. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 16 further including a plurality of metal inserts sized to be received in the cylindrical chamber and functioning to shorten the depth of the chamber when inserted into a cylindrical chamber.

20. A cigar cooler as recited in claim 16 further including at least one longitudinally extending open channel sized to receive a cigar.