Abstract:
The cigar moisture meter comprises a probe engaged to an ohmmeter circuit, the probe being injected into the tip of a cigar to provide a reading of moisture content within the cigar by a measurement of resistance across the leads of the probe.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a moisture meter for determining the moisture content of a cigar. More particularly, the moisture meter has a probe insertable into a cigar and engaged to an indicator to advise a smoker if the moisture content of the cigar is suitable for smoking of same. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Heretofore various moisture testing apparatus have been proposed for use in the tobacco industry to determine the moisture content of tobacco during processing into cigarettes, cigars, etc. 
     However, no meter has been available to the cigar aficionado for determining if the moisture content of a cigar is suitable for smoking of same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided a cigar moisture meter comprising a probe having positive and ground leads of an ohmmeter circuit therein, the probe being injectable into a cigar tip for measuring differential across the leads correlating to a moisture content of the cigar which is indicated on an indicator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand held cigar moisture meter of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smaller unit adapted for engagement to a key chain or the like. 
     FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the moisture meter. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 provide perspective view of an enhanced embodiment of the hand held cigar moisture meter of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a cigar moisture meter  10  made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     As shown, the meter  10  includes a casing  12  from which a probe  14  protrudes. The probe  14  is electronically engaged to an indicator  16  visible in a front wall  18  of the casing. To maintain integrity of the probe  14 , a cover  20  is provided on the casing  12  which is movable to cover and uncover the probe  14 . 
     Also on the front wall  18  of the casing  12 , a reset switch  24  is provided. Alternatively, the meter  10  could be activated or deactivated upon opening and closing, respectively, of the cover  20 , in known manner. 
     The embodiment of the meter  10  shown in FIG. 2 is substantially identical to that shown in FIG. 1, except for an engagement tab  28  by means of which the meter  10  can be engaged to a key chain or the like (not shown) and having a smaller size to the casing  12 , for less bulk in a user&#39;s pocket. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, the simple circuit  30  for the meter  10  is illustrated. The circuit  30  is resident within the casing  12  and is seen to comprise a circuit  30  which functions by measuring resistance through the tobacco of a cigar  32 . In this respect, the probe  14  is seated within an end  34  of the cigar  32  as shown in phantom and a reading is generated on the indicator  16 . The indicator  16  may comprise a needle ammeter, an ohmmeter, a needle type indicator, a digital indicator  16  or any suitable form of indicator  16  for the circuit  30 . 
     Further, indicator  16  could provide a number reading, or a word reading such as “wet”, “dry”, “good”, etc, or a combination of the two. 
     The probe  14  is seen to comprise a ground sleeve electrode  36  surrounding a positive electrode  38 , with the electrodes  36  and  38  being engaged to a power source  40  such as the 1.5 volt battery  40  depicted. 
     Interposed between the power source  40  and the electrodes  36  and  38  is a variable resistor  42  which calibrates the current through the indicator  16  upon activation of reset  24 . 
     The differential across the electrodes  36  and  38  is used to indicate resistance which in turn indicates a corresponding calibrated moisture level in the tip  34  of the cigar  32  being tested, the resistance reading being amplified by a resistor/transistor coupling  44  prior to its being output to the indicator  16 . 
     Use of the meter  10  will not only indicate smokability of the cigar  34  but will also indicate any adjustments which may be necessary to the user&#39;s humidor to provide enhanced smoking pleasure. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be understood that a meter  10  incorporating various enhancements is not beyond the scope of the invention. 
     As shown, one or more enhancements may be incorporated into the meter  10 . By way of example, and not to be construed as limiting to the scope of the invention, the meter  10  may also incorporate within the casing  12  thereof a lighter  46 , or a cigar cutter  48 , and further may incorporate a retractable probe  14 , with the circuit  30  being activated by extension thereof and being deactivated by retraction thereof. 
     If desired, the casing  12  may be sectional, inasmuch as it is still preferred to maintain the casing small, with sections  50  and  52  of the casing being engaged through use of a hinge  54 . therebetween, with the sections folding over each other to avoid becoming cumbersome to the user. Further, if desired, the circuit  30  may be activated and deactivated by relative positioning of the casing sections  50  and  52 . 
     Thus a more versatile meter  10  is still shown to be within the scope of the invention. 
     As described above, the meter  10  provides a number of advantages, some of which are inherent in the invention and others of which become known upon perusal of the above description. Also, modifications may be proposed to the meter  10  without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.