Lighter and cigar splitter apparatus

A cigar splitter comprises: a housing having two open ends, an inside wall and outside surface, and a long axis, wherein the open ends are in line with each other permitting a cigar to be inserted through one end and out the other. A blade is attached to the inside of the housing, the blade oriented for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through one end of the splitter housing and out the other end. An apparatus for lighting and splitting a cigar comprising a cigar splitter as described above and can maintain active and inactive configurations of the splitter for safety of the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to cigar splitters, and more particularly, some embodiments relate to a lighter and cigar splitter apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention generally relates to a cigar splitter and a combination cigar splitter and lighter. Some users of cigars and other products for smoking find it advantageous and enjoyable to substitute the filling in premade cigars and smoke the cigar with the substituted filling. The present invention addresses this need by providing an apparatus for splitting cigars. The present invention also address the need to simplify the number of apparatuses for the enjoyment of substituting filling in cigars and smoking the substitute filled cigar by providing an apparatus for lighting and splitting the cigar.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a cigar splitter comprises a housing having two open ends, an inside wall, an outside surface, and a long axis. The open ends are in line with each other permitting a cigar to be inserted through one end and out the other. A is blade attached to the inside of the housing. The blade is oriented for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through one end of the splitter housing and out the other end.

In a variant of the cigar splitter, a cutting edge of the blade is oriented in a plane that contains the long axis of the housing, for cutting an outer sheath of a cigar as the cigar is inserted through one end of the splitter housing and out the other end.

In another variant of the cigar splitter, the blade comprises two cutting edges that meet to form a point between the two cutting edges. The cutting edges are disposed inside the housing away from the inside wall of the housing.

In a further variant of the cigar splitter, the housing comprises a hollow cylinder and the blade is disposed in the center along the length of the cylinder.

In still another variant, a keychain cigar splitter comprises the above described cigar splitter and includes a loop attached to the outside surface of the housing configured to receive a keychain.

In yet a further variant, a combination lighter cigar splitter is provided. The cigar splitter may be configured as described above.

In another variant, an apparatus for opening up the sheath of a cigar and lighting the cigar comprises: a lighter having lighter frame; and a cigar splitter attached to the lighter frame.

In a further variant, the apparatus may comprise a lighter head and a frame that has a channel configured to house the cigar splitter. The cigar splitter is disposed in the channel, and a cutting edge of the blade is oriented in a plane that contains the long axis of the housing, for cutting an outer sheath of a cigar as the cigar is inserted through one end of the splitter housing and out the other end.

In still another variant of the apparatus, the cigar splitter is rotatable within the channel of the lighter, and is rotatable between an active configuration and an inactive configuration. The inactive configuration comprises both open ends of the cigar splitter being obscured by the frame of the lighter. The active configuration comprises the cigar splitter rotated wherein the open ends are accessible for insertion of a cigar.

In yet a further variant of the apparatus, the blade comprises two cutting edges that meet to form a point between the two cutting edges. The cutting edges are disposed inside the housing away from the inside wall of the housing. The channel comprises a hole through the frame. and the frame further comprises a fuel reservoir that is disposed around the hole. The hole may be formed by an upper portion, left and right side portions and a bottom portion of the frame.

In another variant of the apparatus, the outside surface of the cigar splitter is configured to match the contour the lighter, defined by the upper, bottom, left and right portions of the frame, when the cigar splitter is in the locked orientation.

In a further variant, the apparatus has a locking mechanism for maintaining the cigar splitter in the inactive orientation.

In still another variant, a lighter comprises: a lighter head; and a frame configured to receive a cigar splitter.

In another variant of the lighter, the frame comprises a notch configured to receive the cigar splitter.

In a further variant of the lighter, the notch comprises a hole through the frame. The hole may be configured to rotatably house a cigar splitter having a housing with two open ends and blade disposed inside the housing and configured to cut a sheath of a cigar in a direction along the length of the cigar, perpendicular to a circumference of the cigar.

In still another variant, the lighter may include a safety mechanism for preventing access to a blade of a cigar splitter. In one embodiment, the safety mechanism comprises the frame having a configuration and countered surfaces configured to obscure both open ends of a cigar splitter having two open ends leading to a blade for producing a cut along the length of a cigar.

In yet a further variant of the lighter, the notch comprises a hole, and the lighter further comprises a cigar splitter. The cigar splitter is disposed in the in the hole, and the cigar splitter comprises: a housing having two open ends, an inside wall and outside surface, and a long axis. The open ends are in line with each other permitting a cigar to be inserted through one end and out the other. A blade is attached to the inside of the housing. The blade is oriented for cutting an outer sheath of a cigar as the cigar is inserted through one end of the splitter housing and out the other end. The cutting edge is oriented in a plane that contains the long axis of the housing, for cutting an outer sheath of a cigar as the cigar is inserted through one end of the splitter housing and out the other end.

In another variant, a method of making a lengthwise cut in a sheath of a cigar perpendicular to the circumference of the cigar, and lighting the cigar is provided. The method comprises: moving a cigar splitter out from a frame of a lighter to access an open end of the cigar splitter; inserting a cigar into the splitter and making a lengthwise cut in the sheath perpendicular to the circumference of the cigar; moving the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter to obscure access to the open end of the cigar splitter; and turning the lighter on to produce a flame from the lighter.

In a variant of the method, moving the cigar splitter out from the frame of the lighter comprises rotating the cigar splitter out from the frame of the lighter to access the open end of the cigar splitter; and moving the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter comprises rotating the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter to obscure access of the open end of the cigar splitter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments.

In one variant of the invention, referring toFIGS. 1-5, a cigar splitter15comprises a housing50having two open ends60,65, an inside wall58, and outside surface52, and a long axis53, wherein the open ends60,65are in line with each other permitting a cigar8to be inserted through one end60,65and out the other60,65.

A blade70is attached to the inside55of the housing50. The blade70is oriented for cutting an outer sheath6of the cigar8as the cigar8is inserted through one end60,65of the splitter housing50and out the other end60,65. When the cigar8is inserted, a cut4can be made along the long axis9of the cigar8, so that the cigar8can be split open and its filling11replaced.

In another variant of the cigar splitter15, referring toFIG. 1A, the cutting edge75is oriented in a plane54that contains the long axis53of the housing50, for cutting an outer sheath7of a cigar8as the cigar8is inserted through one end60,65of the splitter housing50and out the other end60,65.

In a further variant of the cigar splitter15, the blade comprises two cutting edges75edges disposed inside55the housing50away from the inside wall58of the housing50. The cutting edges75meet to form a point76between the two cutting edges75.

In still another variant of the cigar splitter, the housing50comprises a hollow cylinder and the blade70is disposed in the center along the length of the cylinder. The length of the cylinder is generally parallel to that of the long axis53.

In yet a further variant, referring toFIGS. 6-8, a keychain cigar splitter16is provided. The keychain cigar splitter16may comprises the same general features as described above and may further include a loop or through hole100attached to the outside surface52of the housing50and is configured to receive a keychain.

In another variant, referring toFIGS. 9-12, a combination lighter cigar splitter is provided. The cigar splitter15may be as described above and inFIGS. 1-5, comprising a housing50, and a blade70configured so that when a cigar8is inserted, a cut4can be made along the long axis9of the cigar8, and the cigar8can be split open and its filling11replaced.

In a further variant, an apparatus10for opening up the sheath6of a cigar8and lighting the cigar8, comprises a lighter12having a lighter frame20and a cigar splitter15attached to the lighter frame20.

In still another variant, the apparatus10may comprise a lighter head18and a frame20comprising a channel25configured to house the cigar splitter25. The cigar splitter15is disposed in the channel25. Referring toFIG. 1A, a cutting edge75is oriented in a plane54that contains the long axis53of the housing50, for cutting an outer sheath7of a cigar8as the cigar8is inserted through one end60,65of the splitter housing50and out the other end60,65.

In yet a further variant of the apparatus10, the cigar splitter15is rotatable within the channel25of the lighter12. The rotatable connection27between the splitter15and the lighter12may be by any suitable means. In one embodiment, referring toFIGS. 10A-C, the rotatable connection27may be via a ball29located on the splitter15and a corresponding socket28located on the frame20of the lighter12or vice versa. The splitter15is rotatable between an active configuration, illustrated inFIGS. 10,11and13, and an inactive configuration, illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 14. The inactive configuration comprises both open ends60,65of the cigar splitter15being obscured by the frame20of the lighter12. The active configuration comprises the cigar splitter15rotated wherein the open ends60,65are accessible for insertion of a cigar8.

In still a further variant of the apparatus, the channel25comprises a hole25through the frame20. The frame has a fuel reservoir21, wherein the fuel reservoir21is disposed around the hole25. The hole may formed by an upper portion30, left and right side portions45and a bottom portion40of the frame20.

In another variant of the apparatus, the outside surface55of the cigar splitter15is configured to match the contour the lighter12, defined by the upper30, bottom40, left45and right45portions of the frame20, when the cigar splitter15is in the locked orientation.

In a further variant of the apparatus, referring toFIG. 12, the apparatus10may include a locking mechanism31for maintaining the cigar splitter in the inactive orientation. The locking mechanism31may be, for example, a detent or a dimple and corresponding peg. The locked orientation serves to protect a user from accidentally injuring themselves on the blade70. In the active orientation, the top60and bottom65openings are accessible for inserting a cigar8for splitting the cigar8open along a long axis9of the cigar8, with the blade70.

In still another variant, a lighter12comprises a lighter head18and a frame20configured to receive a cigar splitter15.

In a variant of the lighter12, the frame20comprises a notch25configured to receive the cigar splitter15.

In another variant of the lighter12, the notch25comprises a hole25through the frame20. The hole25is configured to rotatably house a cigar splitter15having a housing50with two open ends60,65. A blade70disposed inside the housing50and, referring toFIGS. 4-5, is configured to cut a sheath6of a cigar8in a direction along the length13of the cigar8, perpendicular to a circumference14of the cigar.

In a further variant, the lighter12is configured to inherently have a safety mechanism for preventing access to a blade of a cigar splitter. The safety mechanism may comprises the frame20structured and having countered surfaces configured to obscure both open ends60,65of a cigar splitter15having two open ends60,65leading to a blade70for producing a cut4along the length13of a cigar8.

In still another variant of the lighter, the notch25comprises a hole25, and the lighter12further comprises a cigar splitter15. The cigar splitter is disposed in the in the hole25and may be as generally described above and inFIGS. 1-5.

In yet a further variant, referring toFIGS. 15-20, a lighter cigar splitter apparatus10comprises a lighter12and a cigar splitter15. The lighter has a lighter head18and a frame20comprising a rectangular notch25. Referring toFIG. 16A, the notch25is surround by an upper portion30, a side portion35and a bottom portion40of the frame. A side member45is connected between the upper portion30and the bottom portion40. In another embodiment, the notch comprises a hole25through the frame20of the lighter and the side member45is integral with the frame20.

The cigar splitter15is disposed inside the notch25and in one embodiment, comprises a hollow rectangular housing50having a passageway55configured to receive a cigar. The housing50has a top opening60and a bottom opening65that permit access to the passageway55. A blade70is disposed on the passageway wall58and has a knife edge75oriented parallel to the axis of the housing50. The housing50of the cigar splitter is connected between the side portion35and the side member45of the frame15, and the cigar splitter15is rotatable between the side portion35and the side member45of the frame15. The cigar splitter15is configured to rotate between a locked orientation, for example shown inFIGS. 17 and 19, and an active orientation, for example shown inFIGS. 18 and 20.

In the locked orientation, the cigar splitter housing's outside walls52are parallel to the wall54of the lighter and the top60and bottom65opening are inaccessible to a user as they are obscured by the frame of the lighter12. A suitable locking mechanism may be incorporated into the apparatus10for maintaining the locked orientation. The locking mechanism may be, for example, a detent or a dimple and corresponding peg. The locked orientation serves to protect a user from accidentally injuring themselves on the blade70. In the active orientation, the top60and bottom65openings are accessible for inserting a cigar8for splitting the cigar open along a long axis9of the cigar, with the blade70.

In another variant of the lighter cigar splitter apparatus10, referring toFIGS. 21 and 22, a lighter12and a cigar splitter15. The lighter has a lighter head18and a frame20. The cigar splitter15is disposed below the lighter frame20and connected to the frame20by a hinge80. The cigar splitter comprises a hollow housing50formed in the same shape as the lighter frame15so as to form a single continuous shape. In the example shown inFIGS. 21 and 22, the shape is a cylindrical shape. Other shapes are contemplated, such as rectangular solid shapes or rectangular solid shapes with rounded corners.

The cigar splitter15has a passageway55configured to receive a cigar. The housing50has a top opening60and a bottom opening65that permit access to the passageway55. A blade70is disposed on the passageway wall58and has a knife edge75oriented parallel to the axis of the housing50, similar to as shown inFIGS. 6 and 11. The cigar splitter15is connected to the hinge80at a rim85of the top opening65. The cigar splitter15is rotatable about the hinge80. A cover90is connected to the rim95of the bottom opening60via a hinge80. The cigar splitter15is configured to rotate between a locked orientation, for example shown inFIG. 7, and an active orientation, for example shown inFIG. 8.

In the locked orientation, the cigar splitter frame housing's outside walls52are parallel to the wall54of the lighter and the top60and bottom65openings are inaccessible to a user as the cover90is configured to block access to the bottom opening65when the cigar splitter15is in the locked orientation. The top opening60is blocked by the bottom of the frame of the lighter12. The locked orientation serves to protect a user from accidentally injuring themselves on the blade70. In the active orientation, the top60and bottom65openings are accessible for inserting a cigar (not shown) for splitting the cigar open along a long axis of the cigar, with the blade70.

In a further variant, referring toFIGS. 23 and 24, the lighter cigar splitter apparatus10comprises a lighter12and a cigar splitter15. The lighter has a lighter head18and a frame20. The cigar splitter15is disposed below the lighter frame20and connected to the frame20in a fixed position. The cigar splitter comprises a hollow housing50formed in cylindrical shape.

The cigar splitter15has a passageway55configured to receive a cigar. The housing50has a top opening60and a bottom opening65that permit access to the passageway55. A blade70is disposed on the passageway wall58and has a knife edge75oriented parallel to the axis of the housing50, similar to as shown inFIG. 1. The bottom portion40of the lighter is configured to conform in corresponding shape to receive and abut the outer side wall52of the cigar splitter15. The cigar splitter15is connected to the lighter frame20by the outside wall52of the cigar splitter15.

In still another variant, referring toFIG. 26, a method of making a lengthwise13cut4in a sheath6of a cigar8perpendicular to the circumference14of the cigar8, and lighting the cigar8, comprises: in a step2600, moving a cigar splitter out from a frame of a lighter to access an open end of the cigar splitter; in a step2605inserting a cigar into the splitter and making a lengthwise cut in the sheath perpendicular to the circumference of the cigar; in a step2610moving the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter to obscure access to the open end of the cigar splitter; and in a step2615turning the lighter on to produce a flame from the lighter.

In yet a variant of the method, the step2600of moving the cigar splitter out from the frame of the lighter comprises rotating the cigar splitter out from the frame of the lighter to access the open end of the cigar splitter; and the step2610of moving the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter comprises rotating the cigar splitter into the frame of the lighter to obscure access of the open end of the cigar splitter.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.