Abstract: A cigar ventilating implement includes both a cylindrical punch and a piercing member such as a needle or spike. The punch and piercing member are sequentially extendable in response to a continuous twisting motion of a knob, with the sequencing being controlled by multiple slotted guide cylinders, a pair of actuator/driving cylinders, and a detent mechanism that initially prevents and subsequently enables relative rotation of the actuator and guide cylinders. Retraction of the punch and piercing members is carried out upon reverse rotation of the knob.

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and methods for optimizing the harvesting of solar energy are disclosed. A photovoltaic (PV) system includes: a solar panel module. The solar panel module comprises: a plurality of solar cell arrays, wherein each array comprises a grouping of solar cells; and a tubular panel. The plurality of solar cell arrays are arranged along an inside surface of the panel. At least an upper portion of the panel slopes inward such that the panel has a substantially funnel-shaped geometry. The solar cell arrays are arranged in a C-ring pattern. A first solar cell array is separated from a second solar cell array by a predetermined distance. The area between the solar cell arrays is coated with a reflective material to facilitate optimal reflection of incident sunlight back to the solar cells. Recycling of incident light is facilitated within the tube. The light can be intermittently or continuously recycled.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding an article is described. The apparatus comprises an elastic band and a depository area integrally coupled as part of the elastic band into which at least one magnet is deposited. The elastic band is formed as a continuous loop having a first width. The depository area has a second width exceeding the first width of the continuous elastic band. The depository area includes storage of the at least one magnet that, when deposited, occupies at least seventy percent of a volume of the depository area.

Abstract: A cigarillo splitter operable to create a row of apertures in the external wrap of a cigarillo in order to facilitate the splitting of the external wrap. The cigarillo splitter further includes a first plate member and a second plate member that are rectangular in shape and of the same size. The first plate member and second plate member are hingedly attached wherein the first plate member has a first position and a second position. The first plate member includes a plurality of pins oriented in a row extending the length of the first plate member. A groove is formed in the second plate member and is in axial alignment with the plurality of pins. A spacer is secured intermediate the first plate member and second plate member to ensure a parallel orientation when the first plate member is in its second position.

Abstract: A puncturing assembly for selectively puncturing a cigarette includes a tubular housing that may insertably receive the cigarette. A plunger is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The plunger may be urged by a user. A prong is coupled to the plunger. The prong may selectively pierce the cigarette. The cigarette delivers a reduced amount of nicotine to the user.

Abstract: A rotary cutter assembly for a lighter comprises a lighter body which is defined with a receiving groove in an outer periphery thereof. A rotary plate is pivoted to the receiving groove in such a manner that the rotary plate can be rotated within the receiving groove. In the receiving groove is disposed a push pole, and on the rotary plate is provided an annular cutter. When the rotary plate is closed, the push pole is inserted in the annular cutter.

Abstract: A novel cigar is provided with an elongated cigar puller device which extends into the interior of the cigar. By removing the cigar puller from the device, the tobacco fill material of the cigar is disrupted so as to improve the draw of the cigar. Some of the cigar puller devices can be used to infuse flavorants into the cigar to alter the taste and/or aroma of the cigar.

Abstract: A novel cigar is provided with an elongated cigar puller device which extends into the interior of the cigar. By removing the cigar puller from the device, the tobacco fill material of the cigar is disrupted so as to improve the draw of the cigar. Some of the cigar puller devices can be used to infuse flavorants into the cigar to alter the taste and/or aroma of the cigar.

Abstract: A hookah perforating accessory for perforating hookah foil and perforating/aerating tobacco below the foil, preferably simultaneously, having a hollow housing, plurality of spikes on a spike platform, guide plate having a plurality of spike receiving apertures, and at least one and preferably a plurality of springs, disposed between the guide plate and spike platform.

Abstract: A cigar drill disguised to appear like a typical writing instrument is provided. The cigar drill is designed to create the proper sized smoke passageway in cigars of arbitrary size, rather than limiting the user to one or two sizes of smoke passageways.

Abstract: A cigar cutter has a housing, a receiving well provided in the housing for receiving one end of a cigar, a motor retained inside the housing, and a cutter carried on the motor and extending into the receiving well. The cutter has a lower portion and a conical upper tip, with three cutting surfaces provided on the conical upper tip.

Abstract: A cigar opener assembly (10) includes a cover (12) and blade housing (14) having a blade (16) therein. The cover (12) and blade housing (14) rotate relative to each other so that openings (22, 24) through the cover (12) align with a channel (38) within the blade housing (14). After use, the cover (12) may be rotated relative to the blade housing (14) so that the blade is no longer accessible.

Abstract: Cigars are released from a feed station onto first and second conveyor belts and directed along a predetermined feed path, part of which coinciding with a wheel interposed between the two belts and equipped with a set of needles serving to pierce the cigars by engaging at least one respective end portion; the wheel is also equipped with a set of clamp elements, each able to restrain a single cigar and caused to revolve in stable alignment with a relative needle. The single needle is fashioned from a resistive metal and connected to an electrical power source in such a way that it can be heated by applying a current and inducing the Joule effect.

Abstract: In a cigar-making machine, the cigars advance continuously in orderly succession occupying a plurality of respective pockets transported by a conveyor along a predetermined feed path toward a piercing station where they are engaged by a plurality of needles fitted to respective movable heads; the heads are caused to advance parallel to the predetermined feed path followed by the cigars, proceeding continuously and synchronously with the pockets in such a manner that each of the single cigars can be pierced by a corresponding needle with a relative hole, aligned substantially on a longitudinal axis of the cigar.

Abstract: A hole-drilling device for a cigar is disclosed. The device comprises a rotating shaft having a screw threaded top portion and a holding section, a tubular cutter having a ring blade at the edge of the top portion and a bottom portion which is threaded, a shaft cover having a cutter opening at the top portion and a plurality of screw threads at the internal wall of the cover, and a screw nut which is screwed to the screw threaded top portion of the rotating shaft. The turning of the rotating shaft cause the ring blade to protrude via the cutter opening of the shaft cover to cut a hole on a cigar.

Abstract: In a cigar-making machine, the cigars advance continuously in orderly succession occupying a plurality of respective pockets transported by a conveyor along a predetermined feed path toward a piercing station where they are engaged by a plurality of needles fitted to respective movable heads; the heads are caused to advance parallel to the predetermined feed path followed by the cigars, proceeding continuously and synchronously with the pockets in such a manner that each of the single cigars can be pierced by a corresponding needle with a relative hole, aligned substantially on a longitudinal axis of the cigar.

Abstract: A cigar holder with a cutter comprising a hollow cigar-shaped body having a closed bottom and an open top, a hollow cap threadably engageable with the top of the body, the cap having a pair of substantially opposing slots therethrough, and a pair of cigar tip cutting members, each cigar tip cutting member having a cutting portion having a cutting edge thereon. Each of the cigar cutting members is slidably positioned in one of the slots such that the cutting edges are positioned substantially opposite one another in the hollow cap. A handle portion is preferably hinged to the cutting portion of each of the cigar tip cutting members, with each handle portion being positioned outside of the cap. The handle portions are preferably provided with a gripping tip for facilitating manual movement of the cigar tip cutting member in relation to the cap. The cap preferably has a pair of recesses formed in an outer wall thereof.

Abstract: A golf tee shaped punch and cutter having a plurality of different shaped chambers formed within a tapered body portion with a cutter assembly placed therein. The tapered body portion forms a narrow punch end and a wide cutter end having a cap removably placed thereon. A circular cutter blade is exposed upon removing the cap. Coaxially positioned within the circular cutter blade is a spring biased rod that helps to remove a plug of tobacco once cut. A duel taper helps to measure or guage the depth the punch is inserted into the end of the cigar. The present invention conveniently permits punching and cutting the end of a cigar with a single, easily utilized, and commercially attractive golf tee shaped device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cigar holder provided with a detachable tip-cutting knife and a plug-removing member inside a cap of the holder. The knife has an inwardly extending portion and exterior portion hinged together and secured within a slot formed in the cap. The exterior portion lies flat in the recess formed in the cap, while the interior portion extends perpendicularly to the exterior portion, transversely to the cap opening. The plug-removing member is fixedly attached to the interior of the cap. It is adapted to pierce through the end of the cigar and remove a small portion of the cigar thereby forming a distinct channel for penetration of the tobacco smoke to the end of the cigar.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention broadly comprises a generally cylindrically shaped, hollow handle having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and also having a first end and a second end, a generally cylindrically shaped cutting member fixedly secured within the first end of the handle, and, a cap member comprising a hollow cylinder having a longitudinal axis and a disk-like endplate secured at one end thereof, the cap member having an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of at least one portion of the handle, the cap member also comprising a clip extending from the cylinder generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The invention also comprises various modifications and alternative embodiments of the apparatus, as well as a method of cutting an end of a cigar using the various embodiments.

Abstract: A cigar draw tool that holds a cigar in alignment with a needle-like punch. The punch is pushed through the length of the longitudinal axis of the cigar to create an open air channel that increases the capacity of the cigar to draw. Multiple alignment apertures are provided to allow the punch to create multiple parallel air channels in the cigar such that the user can increase the drawing capacity as desired. In addition, the multiple alignment apertures are arranged to accommodate cigars of varying sizes such that cigars of any width can be punched in the central portion of the cigar by moving the punch to an alternate alignment aperture. A removable lid is used to hold the cigar in alignment with the punch during the punch operation. An alternate embodiment uses an automatically retracting lid that is spring loaded hold the cigar in alignment. Another alternative embodiment uses a hinged lid that flips open to allow a cigar to be inserted or removed.

Abstract: A portable cigar holder for rapidly extinguishing a lighted cigar and for saving the extinguished cigar for later consumption is provided. The cigar holder comprises a hollow cylindrical tube having a closed end portion and an open end opposed to said closed end portion and a removable cap sized to close the open end of the tube for forming a substantially air tight container so as to promote rapid extinguishing of the lighted cigar. The cigar holder includes a specially configured snuffer which snuffer is in the shape of a bowl with the open end of the bowl facing the open end of the cigar holder and which snuffer is readily slideable within the cigar holder. The cigar holder of the invention accommodates cigars of different lengths while minimizing the overall length of the cigar holder so that the holder may be comfortably carried by the cigar smoker.

Abstract: A cigar piercing device which includes an outer housing and a moveable top receiving and indexing station for positioning the tip of a cigar. The indexing station is adapted to automatically activate a rotating piercing tool in response to the downward movement of the indexing station by downward pressure being placed against the station by the tip of the cigar.

Abstract: A self-ejecting cigar core or plug cutter having a cylindrical barrel, a slidable cylindrical cutting tube inside the barrel, and a solid cylindrical core member inside the cutting tube, the cutting tube extending rearwardly and being secured to a knob, a spring normally biasing the cutting tube rearwardly so that its forward cutting edge is normally inside the barrel, and an L-slot on opposite sides of the cutting tube, with a pin extending through the slot and through the inner core and being secured at both ends in the barrel, whereby pushing in and turning the knob compresses the spring and forces the forward cutting edge of the cutting tube out of the forward edge of the barrel for cutting a plug out of a cigar, and whereby turning of the knob in the opposite direction releases the forward spring bias and permits the cutting tube to retract into its normal position inside the barrel, the plug cut from the cigar being ejected from the cutting tube by the inner core within the cutting tube upon retraction

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating at least two strips of strip material and forming the laminate into lightweight, thin-walled tubular members that may be used in the construction of non-combustion smoking articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for rapidly extinguishing a lighted cigar and for saving the extinguished cigar for later consumption. The device comprises a hollow cylindrical tube having a closed end portion and an open end opposed to said closed end portion and a removable cap sized to fit within the open end of the tube for forming a substantially air tight container so as to promote rapid extinguishment of the lighted cigar. The cap in a preferred embodiment has a bore configured to receive and reshape an unlit, wetted tip of the extinguished cigar and a pin having a pointed end for punching a hole in the unlit cigar tip. The device further includes an adjustable snuffer for accommodating cigars of different lengths.

Abstract: A cigar ventilating device as provided which includes a projectile having a forward end formed by a conical end portion and a cylindrical portion there behind with a definite but low angle of flare adapted to enter a cigar and form a hole therein when positioned in a socket at the forward end of the device. An actuating member at the rear end of the device is engageable by the thumb of the user while the index and middle fingers of the user engage in an annular groove at the forward end of the device, a coiled compression return spring being provided on the inside of the device.

Abstract: A perforator for a single cigarette is disclosed. The perforator includes a support-base having a projection extending from one of its sides. The projection has a notch adapted to freely receive a cigarette adjacent to the support-base. A pin projects from the support-base on the same side as the projection, facing the notch for insertion into a cigarette positioned in the notch.

Abstract: A cigarette puncher comprising a body member having a clip portion and a punch support portion, an elongated guide slot in the body member has a width permitting the snug insertion of the end of a cigarette therein and an elongated punch member is mounted in one end of the elongated guide slot. In one embodiment, plural punch members are provided on a rotary turret. In a second embodiment, a single punch is provided on the lower end of a cigarette light connected to the clip portion. In both embodiments, the clip portion is dimensioned to be received in one end of a cigarette pack.

Abstract: Apparatus for perforating cigarettes disposed in rows in a pack comprising first and second relatively movable members defining an opening for receiving one end of a pack of cigarettes. At least the first member carries a plurality of needles for perforating the cigarettes in the pack. The needles face the second member and are positioned to travel in the opening during relative movement of the members towards one another to perforate the cigarettes in the end of the pack disposed in the opening. The needles are aligned in opposition to the second member and thereby are accessible only through the opening.

Abstract: A cigarette perforating mechanism which operates to perforate a cigarette after the filter final assembly in a cigarette making machine. Perforating points of V design are mounted adjustably so that the points may be set to different heights to make perforations of different size thereby to obtain better control of the depth and width of point penetration. The points are arranged on an arc and are made integral in a thin strip of sheet metal which is fixed in a rolling shoe. A rolling drum rolls the cigarettes over the shoe and the height-adjusted points to perforate the cigarette with holes to a preselected depth and width assembly depending on the preselected depth to which the V-shaped perforating points are driven into the cigarette.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for forming cigarette filters, including a drum for receiving and holding a plurality of filters and a heated probe which can be moved into contact with the filters to form the filters into a desired configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming cigarette filters, including a means for receiving and holding a plurality of filters and a heated probe which can be moved into contact with the filters to form the filters into a desired configuration.