Patent Publication Number: US-2023144733-A1

Title: Cigar moistening devices and methods

Description:
FIELD 
     The specification generally relates to smoking apparatuses and methods and, in particular, to moistening a smoking unit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cigars can be rolled to include substances such as dried tobacco leaves. A cigar can include a wrapper rolled around a binder, which in turn can be rolled around filler, such as dried tobacco leaves. When consumers purchase cigars, such as Backwoods brand cigars, the product can arrive dry and may need to be discarded, costing consumers money. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a moistening device for a smoking unit, including: a body defining a housing sized to receive the smoking unit; a gas source tank having a sealable inlet, the gas source tank fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas; a heating element operable on the gas source tank; and a power unit operably connectible to the heating element. 
     In some embodiments, the power unit is operably connectible to the heating element by a connector 
     In some embodiments, the power unit includes: a circuit board powered by a power source; and an actuation component for operating the power unit. 
     In some embodiments, the gas source tank is fluidly connectible to the housing via a gas release nozzle that restricts passage of liquid. 
     In some embodiments, the gas source tank is fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas via at least one hole that restricts passage of liquid. 
     In some embodiments, the housing includes: a channel having a channel opening sized to receive a smoking unit; and a porous lining surrounding at least a portion of the channel. 
     In some embodiments, the housing further includes: a plate positioned proximate the channel and opposite to the channel opening, the plate having at least one hole, the gas source tank fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas via the at least one hole. 
     In some embodiments, the gas source tank is attachable to the housing via threaded bushing. 
     In some embodiments, the gas source tank includes a gas nozzle attachable to a housing connector of the housing, and the gas source tank attachable to the housing via threaded bushing. 
     In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a gasket locatable between the gas source tank and the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a gasket locatable between the gas source tank and the power unit. 
     In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a cap attachable to the body to close an opening of the housing, the opening sized to receive the smoking unit. 
     In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a gasket locatable between the cap and the body. 
     In some embodiments, the heating element further includes heat-reduction material operable at an outer surface of the heating element. 
     In some embodiments, the heating element includes a coil located within the gas source tank. 
     In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a method for moistening a smoking unit, the method including: retaining the smoking unit in an enclosed housing; generating gas in the housing from an attached liquid source; and restricting liquid flow from the attached liquid source to the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes facilitating gas flow along the length of the housing through a mesh. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes creating a waterproof seal between the attached liquid source and the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the generating is by heating the attached liquid source and forcing the gas to the housing through at least one hole. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes providing control of the generating by a power unit. 
     In some embodiments, there is provided a device for a moistening device for Backwoods style cigars. The device comprises a housing unit with an inner cylindrical mesh lined housing unit that includes a fillable gas source tank with a heating element; a plate for a cigar to rest on; pinholes to release gas; a nozzle to release gas from the gas source tank and heating element into the housing unit; a button to turn the device on and off with a safety cap; battery housing for a 2032 battery with a safety cap; a circuit board with a connection from the battery to the actuation component; threaded bushing to the heating element; an inlet connector from the heating element to the power control; and a cap with a waterproof seal. 
     Other aspects and features and combinations thereof concerning embodiments described herein will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the instant disclosure of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of a moistening device with a housing unit, a gas source tank with heating element, and a power unit, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view of a housing unit sealed with a cap, according to some embodiments 
         FIG.  3    is a front perspective view of an inner mesh lined cylinder for a moistening device, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    is an angled front perspective view of a water heating element and gas source tank cylinder for a moistening device, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    is an angled front perspective view of a power unit with on/off button, battery housing unit, and circuit board cylinder for a moistening device, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    is a front perspective view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  7    is a side perspective view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective and cross-sectional view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic view of a moistening device, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features. 
     According to some embodiments as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,  6  and  7   , a moistening device comprises a body  100  having a housing  140 ; a gas source tank  160 ; and a power unit  130 . For example, moistening device can be a Backwood steamer. Housing  140  is included in body  100 . For example, as shown, housing  140  is a space defined within housing  140  and can be a channel sized and dimensioned to accommodate a desired smoking unit such as a cigar. Housing  140  connects to gas source tank  160 . For example, in some embodiments, body  100  connects to gas source tank  160  through connector  152  and threaded bushing  155 , and housing  140  is in fluid connection with gas source tank  160  via gas nozzle  150 . In some embodiments, gas source tank is fluidly connectible to housing  140  for passage of gas. In some embodiments, the passage of gas is via a gas release nozzle that restricts passage of liquid and/or via at least one hole that restricts passage of liquid. In some embodiments, housing is in fluid connection with gas source tank  160  via at least one hole. The housing  140  can include an opening through which the smoking unit can be received into the housing  140 . In some embodiments, housing  140  is attachable to a cap that is attachable to body  100  to close the opening of housing  140 . Housing  140  can be enclosed by blocking the opening. In some embodiments, body  100  includes at least one gas outlet for allow gas to exit housing  140  at a desired rate, such as to allow a smoking unit retained in housing  140  to be sufficiently moistened, while allowing additional gas to enter housing  140  from gas source tank  160 . A gas outlet can be located at or near a cap attachable to body  100  that closes the opening of housing  140 , such in the example embodiment shown in  FIG.  8   . The release of gas from gas outlet can be controlled by the power unit  130 . 
     Heating element  170  is operable on gas source tank  160 . In some embodiments, gas source tank  160  includes a sealable inlet. The sealable inlet can be an opening that can be sealed with a cap, for example. As another example, in some embodiments, the sealable inlet is a component through which liquid can be received into gas source tank  160 . For example, the sealable inlet can be a component that reveals an opening upon applicable of a suitable pressure. The sealable opening can be sealed by a cap  165  for a user to open and close gas source tank  160  for filling with material. For example, gas source tank  160  can be filled with water. As an example, heating element  170  can be operable on gas source tank  160  by being proximate gas source tank  160 . As an example, heating element  170  can be operable on gas source tank  160  by being included with gas source tank  160 . In some embodiments, for example, heating element  170  is located within gas source tank  160 . Heating element  170  can be operable on gas source tank  160  by being close enough to allow heating element  170  to heat contents of gas source tank  160  to allow the contents to be converted to gas (e.g., steam). For example, heating element  170  can be located beneath gas source tank  160 . 
     In some embodiments, gas source tank  160  connects to power unit  130  by connector  190 . Connector  190  can be an inlet connector, for example. Power unit  130  comprises a actuation component  175 , a circuit board  180 , and a battery engagement unit  185 , such as for a 2032 battery. Battery engagement unit  185  can be a housing. In some embodiments, power unit  130  comprises a circuit board powered by a power source such as a battery or AC power. In some embodiments, the actuation component  175  is a power button or switch for operating the power unit. For example, a user can engage with the actuation component  175  and turn the power unit on or off to start or stop heating of the gas source tank  160  contents by heating element  170 . 
     According to some embodiments as shown in  FIG.  3   , a housing  140  includes porous lining  145 , a channel, plate  210 , and at least one hole  215 . Housing  140  includes an opening at an end of the channel for insertion of a smoking unit such as a cigar. When inserted, the smoking unit can be retained within housing  140  in the channel, and porous lining  145  can surround at least a portion of the smoking unit. Porous lining  145  can be offset from the smoking unit and define a space between porous lining  145  and the portion of housing  140  where the smoking unit is retained. Porous lining  145  can be a mesh lining, for example. Porous lining  145  can be a lining with openings allowing gas to enter housing  140 . Such openings can be small or can be large as in a mesh, for example. In some embodiments, porous lining  145  surrounds at least a portion of the channel by defining a perimeter of the channel. 
     In some embodiments, the channel is a space in which a smoking unit can be located. Channel can be sized and dimensioned to accommodate same, depending on the smoking unit. For example, in some embodiments, a user can insert a smoking unit entirely into the channel of housing  140 , and porous lining  145  surrounds the smoking unit while the smoking unit is retained in the channel. The smoking unit then rests on plate  210  of housing  140  upon insertion into the channel, for example. Plate  210  has at least one hole  215  fluidly connectible to the gas source tank  160 , according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the at least one hole  215  is a set of multiple pin holes. In some embodiments, plate  210  is omitted, and the at least one hole  215  is located between gas source tank  160  and housing  140 . Gas source tank  160  is fluidly connectible to housing  140  for passage of gas via the at least one hole, according to some embodiments. One or more or each hole can be configured to prevent passage of water from gas source tank  160  to housing  140 , while allowing passage of gas in the same direction or in both directions. In some embodiments, gas nozzle  150  is included and configured to prevent passage of water from gas source tank  160  to housing  140 , while allowing passage of gas in the same direction or in both directions. 
     In some embodiments, housing  140  can be 0.5 inches (width) by 6 inches (length), and the channel can be 0.5 inches (width) by 4 inches (length). Other dimensions can be used. A smoking unit can rest on plate  210  while the smoking unit is inside the housing  140 , according to some embodiments. The at least one hole  215  allows gas to enter housing  140  from gas source tank  160 . In some embodiments, gas enters through gas nozzle  150  and/or at least one hole  215 , and gas nozzle  150  restricts liquid from passing through when the device is attached to gas source tank  160 . In some embodiments, at least one hole  215  can restrict passage of liquid through when the device is attached to gas source tank  160 . Housing  140  attaches to gas source tank  160  through connector  152  and threaded bushing  155 , in some embodiments. Porous lining  145  surrounds the smoking unit retained in the channel and allows movement of gas around the smoking unit. Plate  210  can be 0.5 inches in diameter. Other dimensions can be used. 
     According to some embodiments as shown in  FIG.  4   , a gas source tank  160  comprises a gas nozzle  150 ; a cap  165  to cover an opening through which gas source tank  160  can be filled and closed; a heating element  170  to heat the gas source tank  160 &#39;s contents (e.g., water) to produce gas; and a connector  190  to connect gas source tank  160  to power unit  130 . In some embodiments, threaded bushing  155  is included for connection to housing  140 . In some embodiments, gas nozzle  150  connects with a connector  152  of housing  140 . In some embodiments, other forms of connection mechanisms can be used instead of or in addition to gas nozzle  150 , connector  152 , and/or threaded bushing  155 . 
     In some embodiments, a gasket  195  is included to provide a waterproof seal when connected to power unit  130 . A coil-shaped portion of heating element  170  can be inside gas source tank  160  and can heat contents (e.g., water) inside the gas source tank  160 . Heating element  170  can be covered by heat-reduction material, such as thermo or heat-proof or other heat-reduction material. The heat-reduction material can be operable at an outer surface of the heating element. For example, the heat-reduction material can be located at the outer surface. This can allow a user to hold onto the device at heating element  170  without being burned. Heating element  170  can attach to a seal at each end connected to power unit  130  or body  100 . 
     According to an embodiment shown in  FIG.  5   , power unit  130  includes actuation component  175  (which can have a safety cap), circuit board  180 , battery housing unit  185 , and inlet connector  190 . Battery housing unit  185  can hold one  2032  battery, for example. Battery housing unit  185  connects to actuation component  175  and circuit board  180  through a connector  220 . Power unit  130  connects to heating element  170  for gas source tank  160  through an inlet  190 . A waterproof seal is created between power unit  130  and gas source tank  160  with gasket  225 . Battery cap  187  can cover the battery in battery housing unit  185 . 
     In some embodiments, power unit  130  includes actuation component  175 , circuit board  180 , and a power source. The power source can be a connection to AC power. The power source can allow the moistening device to be powered by an external plug-in power, for example. In some embodiments, the power source is battery housing unit  185 . The power source is operable to provide power to power unit  130  to allow power unit  130  to heat heating element  170  to produce gas from gas source tank  160 , and such actuation can be controlled by a user engagement with power unit  130 , such as via one or more actuation components  175 . For example, a user can turn on/off the heating element  170  and/or set a timer or duration of actuation, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, power unit  130  has displays and/or indicators actuated by circuit board  180 , where such displays and/or indicators denote status or other information. Examples include denoting that the device is ready, water boiling is in progress, steaming is in progress, and/or device is charging. This can be depicted via different colouring of the same display (e.g., LED indicator), such as shown in the example embodiment in  FIG.  8   . In some embodiments, power unit  130  includes a USB charging port for charging a battery included in the power unit  130 , such as in battery housing unit  185 . 
     According to an embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the moistening device includes a cap  200  with rubber seal  205  to provide a waterproof or airtight seal when attaching to body  100 . 
     In some embodiments, moistening device includes a DC immersion heater, lithium polymer battery power source, and PT100 temperature sensor; has a voltage rating of 12V DC and a power rating of 50 W; uses a battery charging circuit, an Atmega32 microcontroller, a MOSFET element switching circuit; does not use an AC to DC converter; and has a heating element dimension of 20 mm by 3 mm. In some embodiments, moistening device includes an AC immersion heater, plug-in AC power source, and PT100 temperature sensor; has a voltage rating of 120V AC and power rating of 80 W or 150 W; does not use a battery charging circuit; uses an Atmel microcontroller, a relay element switching circuit, and a AC to DC converter; and has a heating element dimension of 40 mm by 8 mm or 50 mm by 12 mm. In various embodiments, different combinations of these features can be included in a single device. In some embodiments, moistening devices does not include DC components and instead is operable using AC-enabled components. 
       FIG.  8    shows a perspective and cross-sectional view of an example moistening device, according to some embodiments. As shown, the moistening device includes a cap (shown as a top cap) connectible to a housing (shown as a steam chamber) that is sized and dimensioned to hold a cigar (e.g., a Backwoods cigar that is 0.5 inches by 4 inches). A lid gasket is positioned between the cap and the housing, and a reservoir gasket is positioned between an opposite end of the housing and a gas source tank (shown as a water reservoir). A power unit is located beneath the gas source tank and includes an actuation component (shown as a control button), as well as a display (shown as an LED indicator) and USB charging port with a dust cover. The cap includes at least one gas outlet (shown as a steam release). The gas outlet can be opened automatically by a circuit board and/or controller and/or processor located within power unit, for example. A processor and/or circuit board is configured to control duration and actuation of generation of gas and/or moistening of the contents of housing  140 , according to some embodiments. This can include control of gas release through gas outlet. 
       FIG.  9    shows a perspective view of various example moistening devices, according to some embodiments. Various materials and colour designs can be used. Materials can be selected for anti-rust or durability, for example. 
       FIG.  10    shows various example dimensions of an example moistening device, according to some embodiments. Other sizes and dimensions can be used in other embodiments. 
     Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions may be made, the specification is not to be limited to those details.