Patent Publication Number: US-2018042300-A1

Title: Serrated Cigar Cutter

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/374,715 filed on 12 Aug. 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is related to cigar cutting apparatuses. More specifically, the invention is related to cigar cutters having serrated cutting edges. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is an ever-increasing need to improve the cutting of cigar tips to better prepare the cigars for smoking. As the prices for fine cigars continue to rise, and as the palettes of cigar smokers continue to grow in discernment, it becomes more and more important that the preparation of cigars for “mouth feel” and for smoking quality keep pace. Existing cutters are plagued with their propensity to crush the cigar tip and leave frayed edges. This results in cigars that leave flakes of tobacco and shreds of wrapper in the mouth during smoking, and leads to the de-wrapping of the cigar as it is handled while smoking. 
     There exists therefore the need to provide means for cutting cigar tips in a manner that will minimize or eliminate damage to the cigar, improve “mouth feel”, and provide a clean and precisely cut edge without crushing, and such is an object of the present invention. 
     Additional needs and objects of the invention may become apparent upon review of the included disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention may be embodied in or practiced using a cigar cutting device having a blade arrangement that maximizes cutting efficiency while minimizing damage by providing a cutting edge that is ideally aligned to engage the cigar and has an edge that is ideally serrated to cut the cigar with minimal pressure on the cigar. More specifically, the cutter has a linearly-acting internal V-shaped blade with serrations that are aligned in the direction of blade travel. The V-shape of the blade causes the cutting forces against the cigar to act evenly from opposed directions around the cigar, which avoids crushing and altering the cigar&#39;s round shape. The disposition of the serrations provides the advantageous edge sharpness of a serrated edge while preventing “sawing” and the damage that would otherwise cause. 
     The invention may be embodied in or practiced using an apparatus for cutting off a cigar tip off of a cigar having; a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a cigar tip receiving hole. The cigar tip receiving hole may be disposed at the front and may have a cigar tip receiving hole axis directed from the front to the rear. The apparatus may have a blade having a cutting edge and a longitudinal sliding axis, the blade engaging the housing such that the blade is longitudinally slidable downward between the front and the back so that the cutting edge crosses the cigar tip receiving hole axis. The cutting edge may include an upwardly-pointing V-shape with serrations there-along, the serrations aligned with the longitudinal sliding axis, whereby inserting a cigar tip into the receiving hole and forceably sliding the cutting edge downwardly across the cigar tip receiving hole axis and the cigar tip therein forces the serrations into the cigar tip without side-to-side sawing of the cigar by the serrations to cut the cigar tip off of the cigar. 
     The blade may further have a forwardly-pointing V-shape. The forwardly-pointing V-shape of the blade may be an approximately ninety angular degree V-shape. The upwardly-pointing V-shape of the cutting edge may be an approximately forty angular degree V-shape. 
     The receiving hole may have a lower portion in the form of one of a downwardly-pointing U-shape and a downwardly-pointing V-shape arranged to cooperate with the upwardly-pointing V-shape of the cutting edge to engage the cigar at evenly-distributed locations there-around. 
     The bottom of the housing may further include a fixed finger hole and the blade may further include a movable finger hole. 
     The invention may also be embodied in or practiced using an apparatus for cutting a cigar tip from a cigar and having a housing having a top with a blade opening there-through, a bottom with a bottom grip, a front with a cigar tip receiving hole, and a rear. The cigar tip receiving hole may have a cigar tip receiving hole axis directed toward the rear, the apparatus may have a blade having a top, a bottom, and a longitudinal sliding axis, the top including a blade grip and the bottom having a cutting edge, the blade passing through the blade opening and engaging the housing such that the blade is longitudinally slidable upwardly to enable receipt of the cigar tip into the cigar tip receiving hole, and downwardly so that the cutting edge crosses the cigar tip receiving hole axis. 
     The cutting edge may have an upwardly-pointing V-shape with serrations there-along, the serrations aligned with the longitudinal sliding axis; whereby sliding the blade grip upwardly relative to the bottom grip, inserting a cigar tip into the receiving hole, and forceably sliding the blade grip downwardly relative to the bottom grip causes the cutting edge downwardly across the receiving hole axis and the cigar tip therein, and forces the serrations into the cigar tip without side-to-side sawing of the cigar by the serrations to cut the cigar tip from the cigar. 
     The blade may further have a forwardly-pointing approximately ninety angular degree V-shape. The upwardly-pointing V-shape of the cutting edge may be an approximately forty angular degree V-shape. 
     The receiving hole may have lower portion in the form of one of a downwardly-pointing U-shape and a downwardly-pointing V-shape, arranged to cooperate with the upwardly-pointing V-shape of the cutting edge to engage the cigar tip at evenly-distributed locations there-around. 
     The bottom grip may further include a fixed finger hole and the blade grip may further include a movable finger hole. 
     Further features will be made apparent upon a review of the following description and drawings of exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cigar cutter according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention during use; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cutter of  FIG. 1  in its closed state; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the cutter of  FIG. 1  in its opened state; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the cutter of  FIG. 1  in its closed state; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the cutter of  FIG. 1  halfway between its opened and closed states; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter of  FIG. 1  taken at line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cigar cutter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention halfway between its opened and closed states; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its opened state; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its closed state; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its closed state; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its opened state; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its closed state; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its opened state; 
         FIG. 14  is a rear view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its closed state; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of the cutter of  FIG. 7  in its opened state; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the cutter of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded partial view of the cutter of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of the cutter of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial front view of the blade of the cutters of  FIGS. 1 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a close-up front view of the serrated edge of the blade of the cutters of  FIGS. 1 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a close-up partial end view of the serrated edge of the blade of the cutters of  FIGS. 1 and 7  taken at line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a close-up cross-sectional view of the serrated edge of the blade of the cutters of  FIGS. 1 and 7  taken at line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 19 ; and 
         FIG. 23  is a close-up front view of the cutting of a cigar tip by one of the cutter of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 through 6  depict a cigar cutter  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment.  FIGS. 7 through 18  show a cigar cutter  200  according to a second exemplary embodiment. The two embodiments are essentially identical except for the shaping of the upper and lower grips and their respective finger holes. So to simplify the description, like numbering is shared by the embodiments. For example, whereas the blade of the second embodiment is assigned item number  216 , it should be understood, even if not noted in every view, that the equivalent blade of the first embodiment is item  116 . For clarity, not all views include item numbers pointing to all components. And while it may not be so articulated features, components, and materials of one embodiment are essentially identical in the other, except where differences are stated. The cutting blade  216 , which is identical to cutting blade  116 , is shown in  FIGS. 19 through 22 . 
     As used herein, the term “V-shaped” is intended to mean a shape similar to the letter “V”. A “downwardly-pointed V-shape” would be a shape that mimics the letter “V” in its normal orientation . . . V. An “upwardly-pointed V-shape” would be a shape that mimics the letter “V” in an upside down orientation . . . A. A “leftwardly-pointed V-shape” would be a shape that mimics the letter “V” rotated ninety angular degrees counter clockwise . . . &lt;. A “rightwardly-pointed V-shape” would be a shape that mimics the letter “V” rotated ninety angular degrees clockwise . . . &gt;. A “forwardly-pointing V-Shape” would be a shape that mimics the letter “V” rotated such that its pointed bottom is directed forwardly. And a “rearwardly-pointing V-Shape” would be a shape that mimics the letter “V” rotated such that its pointed bottom is directed rearwardly. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , cutter  100  includes body assembly  102 , and blade assembly  104 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , a user  300  opens the cutter be extending the blade assembly, and positions the tip of the cigar to be cut against the cutter at the cutting pocket  106 , then forces the blade assembly to the closed position shown in  FIG. 2  to cause the blade&#39;s cutting edge  152  to cut the tip of the cigar. Internal components and further details will be more specifically shown and described in regards to the cigar cutter  200  according to a second exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 7 through 18 , which is constructed and which functions identically to the first embodiment and differs only in certain ornamental aspects. The serrated cutting edge  152  of the blade  116  common to both embodiments is shown in  FIGS. 19 through 22 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 7 through 18 , cutter  200  includes body assembly  202 , and blade assembly  204 . The body assembly includes rear housing assembly  205  and front housing assembly  203 . The front housing assembly includes cutting pocket  206 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 18 , rear housing assembly  205  includes fixed lower grip  208 , rear housing  210 , cigar tip ejection hole  212 , rear blade slide pockets  214 , and channeling for slidingly supporting the cutter&#39;s blade  216 . Fixed lower grip  208  includes lower finger hole  211  and is held by the user by passing a finger there-through during cutting. Ejection hole  212  allows the cut-off tip of the cigar to fall from the cutter, and also avoids the sharp tips of pointed cigars so that such cigars may be fully inserted into the cutter. The rear housing may be made of metal, plastic, a composite, or any other suitable material. Rear blade slide pockets  214  receive compression springs  216  and rear slides  220 . The preferably steel-wire springs act between the rear housing and the slides to push the slides against the blade to remove looseness and play during both cutting and storage. The slides are preferably made of a low-friction plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. The slides rest within the slide pockets and the blade is placed there-on during assembly. This allows the blade to slide freely and smoothly relative to the rear housing. 
     Blade  116  is preferably made of grade 440 stainless steel, which is chosen not only for its resistance to corrosion, but also because it enables the formation of an extremely sharp cutting edge. The blade has a forwardly-pointing V-shaped, such that its cutting edge will cut a V-shaped notch into the cigar tip. This preferably approximately ninety angular degrees V-shape is best seen in  FIG. 21 . 
     Front housing assembly  203  includes front housing  222 , and is attached to the rear housing assembly by fasteners  224 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . The fasteners pass through clearance holes  225  in the front housing and then into threaded holes  226  in the rear housing. Referring to  FIG. 17 , the front housing assembly also includes cigar tip entrance hole  228 , front blade slide pockets  230 , and channeling for slidingly supporting the cutter&#39;s blade. The front housing may be made of metal, plastic, a composite, or any other suitable material. Front slides  234  are received within the front blade slide pockets. The front slides are preferably made of the same material as the rear slides, and it should be appreciated that when springs  216  push the rear slides  220  against blade  216 , the blade is thereby pushed against the front slides. This results in the blade being supported by only the front and rear slides to provide the smoothest and most frictionless movement of the blade during cutting. 
     When the front and rear housings are attached together, blade  216  is trapped slidingly there-between. The blade assembly  204  includes both the blade  216  and the sliding upper grip  236 , which includes upper finger hole  240  that is engaged by the user by passing another finger there-through during cutting, and causing an extending force between the lower and upper finger holes. The blade is kept from being pulled completely out from the front and back housings as it is opened by the retention of bent down tabs  244  on the sides of the blades within limited blade grooves  246  of the rear housing. 
     The blade  216  of blade assembly  204  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 19 to 22  so that the unique serration configuration of the cutting edge  252  can be best appreciated.  FIG. 19  is a front view of the lower portion of the blade that includes the cutting edge. Ignoring the serrations themselves momentarily, the cutting edge is formed on the forwardly-pointing V-shape formed of the blade by essentially slicing the blade angularly at approximately twenty angular degrees (as seen in  FIG. 22 ), which results in an approximately ninety angular degree upwardly-pointing V-shaped cutting edge when viewed from the front (as seen in  FIG. 19 ) and an approximately forty angular degree V-shaped cutting edge when viewed from the end (as seen in  FIGS. 21 and 22 ). 
     In  FIG. 20 , a close-up of the serrated cutting edge  252  of blade  216  is provided as an enlargement of that portion of  FIG. 21 . A cross sectional side view of that serrated edge is provided ion  FIG. 22 . It can be seen that the serrations are ground into the blade at a fifteen angular degree angle along that edge in a direction that corresponds to the longitudinal sliding of the blade during cutting. This allows the sharp tips of the serrations to penetrate the cigar without tearing it . . . effectively punching a serrated line into the wrapper of the cigar as the blade first engages the cigar. As the blade is further pushed against the cigar, the points of the serrated edge which come into contact with the cigar change from the most outwardly points to the most inwardly points, effectively mimicking the action of a saw blade without actually cross-sawing the cigar, which would otherwise result in a jagged cut edge on the cigar, as is problematic of prior art cutters having serrated edges that cut cigars with a cross-sawing action. 
     The combination of the forwardly-pointing V-shape of the blade and the upwardly-pointing V shape of the cutting edge is preferred because it is found to ease the force required to cut through the cigar tip. This is because it results in a longer cutting edge with more serrations. However, the serrations could also be ground into an upwardly-pointing V-shaped notch formed in a flat blade to obtain cutting results superior to the prior art but requiring slightly more cutting force that the embodiments depicted . . . this arrangement being still considered within the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , a close-up front view of the cutting of the tip of cigar  302  by one of the cutter of  FIGS. 1 and 7  is provided. It can be seen that the cigar tip entrance hole  228  has a tall and thin oval shape. The height of the hole is approximately twenty-seven millimeters and the width is approximately ten millimeters. This shape provides that the lower half of the oval shape approximates a downwardly-pointing V-shape . . . it might be more accurately described as a downwardly-directed U-shape . . . that is an approximate mirror image of the forty angular degree V-shape of the cutting edge of blade  216 . The benefit of this is that during cutting, the cigar tip is cradled in the lower half of the entrance hole as it is engaged by the cutting edge. Four points of force  250  are made against the cigar, approximately equally distributed around the cigar. This eliminated the distortion of the cigar&#39;s round shape that is common to prior art cutters and reduces crushing of the cigar. Alternatively, the cigar tip entrance hole could have a downwardly-pointing V-shape. 
     The combination of the “non-sawing” cutting action by serrated edge with the evenly distributed pressure on the cigar are found to provide a perfect cutting of the cigar, free of jaggedness and without bits of loose tobacco being left in the user&#39;s mouth. Cigars so cut are found to have a much more desirable mouth feel and to last through a full smoking without wrapper loosening or other cutting-related deterioration. 
     It should be understood that while the invention has been shown and described with reference to the specific exemplary embodiment shown, various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the invention should therefore only be limited according to the following claims, including all equivalent interpretation to which they are entitled.