Patent Publication Number: US-2022232887-A1

Title: Portable cap configured to cradle and extinguish lit cigars

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure generally relates to a device for safely and securely capping, holding, and extinguishing lit cigars. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cigars are, in the modern era, a luxury good often smoked by people as a recreational activity. However, they tend to be somewhat unwieldly and—given their inherent connection with fire—dangerous if not handled properly. This limits the manner in which an individual can use cigars, drastically reducing the number of activities alongside which a cigar can be enjoyed. Fishing, golfing, and other recreational activities that require two hands, then, are unable to be fully appreciated alongside a cigar. 
     Others have attempted to solve this problem to varying degrees of success. However, each of these solutions has glaring flaws that lead to a less-than-perfect product. A number of these products are unwieldly and difficult to transport. Other solutions known in the art require particularly shaped or formed objects to be effective, such as a bar upon which to clamp the product. Still others allow ash to scatter freely—causing at best a mess and more likely a dangerous situation—or fail to extinguish the cigar, allowing it to burn to a stub and wasting an expensive good. 
     The device described in the disclosure below aims to solve these long-standing problems through use of a single, portable device. 
     SUMMARY 
     One exemplary embodiment includes a cap for securely cradling and extinguishing cigars. The cap may comprise: (i) a cap shell made of a metallic material to fit the end of a cigar, wherein: (a) the cap shell has an open end and a closed end, (b) the cap shell has one or more cut-outs formed proximate the open end, (c) the metallic material is flame-resistant and non-combustible, and (d) the cap shell is configured such that, when placed on a lit cigar, the cigar is extinguished; (ii) at least one spring coiled around a segment of the cap shell between the open end of the cap shell and the one or more cut-outs; and (iii) a magnet attached to the cap shell. 
     Another exemplary embodiment includes a cap for securely cradling and extinguishing cigars. The cap may comprise: (i) a cap shell made of a nonmetallic material to fit the end of a cigar, the cap shell having an open end and a closed end; (ii) at least one tab configured such that it protrudes from an interior wall of the cap shell; (iii) a fire-resistant and non-combustible metallic insert attached to an interior of the closed end of the cap shell, configured such that, when placed on a lit cigar, the cigar is extinguished; and (iv) a magnet attached to the cap shell. 
     Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments, which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the present embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments, and their details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The Figures described below depict various aspects of the device disclosed herein. It should be understood that each figure depicts a particular aspect of the disclosed device, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with a possible aspect thereof. Further, wherever possible, the following description refers to the reference numerals included in the following Figures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designated with consistent reference numerals. 
       There are shown in the Figures arrangements which are presently discussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an exemplary metallic cap with springs designed to cradle and stabilize a cigar; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary metallic cap with springs designed to cradle and stabilize a cigar; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary metallic cap with springs designed to cradle and stabilize a cigar; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of an exemplary nonmetallic cap with tabs biased to stabilize a cigar and a metallic insert to extinguish the cigar; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary nonmetallic cap with tabs biased to stabilize a cigar and a metallic insert to extinguish the cigar; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary nonmetallic cap with tabs biased to stabilize a cigar and a metallic insert to extinguish the cigar; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary interior to a nonmetallic cap with tabs biased to stabilize a cigar and a metallic insert to extinguish the cigar; and 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates an exemplary interior to a nonmetallic cap with a cigar inserted, illustrating an exemplary movement of the tabs biased to stabilize a cigar. 
     
    
    
     The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustration only. Alternative embodiments of the devices illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a cap that stabilizes and cradles a cigar by way of one or more springs coiled through cut-outs in the cap shell and a cap that stabilizes and holds a cigar in place by way of one or more tabs extending from an interior wall of the cap shell. The cap may also be configured such that, when placed on the lit end of a cigar, the cigar is extinguished by a metallic shell of the cap and/or by a metallic insert attached to the interior of the cap shell. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also include a magnet attached to the shell of the cap, allowing the cap to be placed at a variety of angles on appropriate surfaces and still securely cradle a cigar. By providing a cap that can be used to safely and securely cradle and extinguish cigars, the present disclosure addresses the long-felt need for a device that allows for a safe, quick, and secure method of putting down, extinguishing, and preserving a cigar. 
     Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
     Portable Cap for Extinguishing Cigars Using a Spring-Based Cradling Method 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an exemplary metallic cap  100  with springs designed to cradle and hold a cigar in place. In one embodiment, the exemplary device  100  is comprised of at least a cap shell  102 . The cap shell  102  acts as the main body of the cap  100  and can, depending on the embodiment, be made of a variety of different materials. In some embodiments, the cap shell  102  is metallic, fire-resistant, and non-combustible, allowing the cap  100  to be safely placed on a lit cigar. When the cap shell  102  is placed against the lit end of a cigar, the cigar is extinguished. In some implementations, the cigar is extinguished due to oxygen deprivation. 
     In further embodiments, the cap shell  102  has an open end and a closed end, such that a cigar can be inserted into the cap shell  102 . Depending on the embodiment, the cap shell  102  may cover up to 100% of the cigar when the cigar is inserted into the cap shell  102 . Depending on the embodiment, the cap shell  102  can be shaped to fit the diameter of any size of cigar. In some implementations, the cap shell  102  fits a cigar when the open end of the cap shell  102  is no more than 10% larger than the diameter of the cigar. 
     In some embodiments, the cap shell  102  is shaped similarly to a cylinder. In further embodiments, the cap shell  102  may be shaped differently (e.g., shaped as a rectangular prism). In such embodiments, the cap shell  102  may have a cylindrical chamber into which a cigar is inserted. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the cap  100 , the cap shell  102  is configured such that one or more cut-outs  104  are formed in the cap shell  102 . In some embodiments, the cut-outs  104  are proximate to the open end of the cap shell  102 . In some implementations, the cut-outs  104  run parallel to the open end of the cap shell  102  and may substantially surround the circumference of the cap shell  102 . In further implementations, the cut-outs  104  run perpendicular to the open end of the cap shell  102 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the cap  100 , the cap  100  further includes at least one spring  106 . Depending on the embodiment, the spring  106  may surround substantially the entire circumference of the cap shell  102  or may be limited to a single cut-out  104 . The spring  106  is coiled in such a way that, when a cigar is placed into the cap  100 , the spring  106  is capable of expanding so as to allow insertion. The spring  106  then tightens around the cigar. This tightening cradles the cigar, holding both the cigar and cap  100  in place and preventing the cigar and cap  100  from separating without an application of force. 
     In some embodiments, the spring  106  coils around a strip of the cap shell  102  separating it from the open end of the cap shell  102 . In further embodiments, there exist two cut-outs  104  for each spring  106 , and each spring  106  is coiled around a portion of the cap shell  102  that separates two cut-outs. 
     The size of the springs  106  may vary between different implementations. Similarly, how closely the springs  106  are wound to the walls of the cap shell  102  may vary between implementations. In some embodiments, the distance across the interior of the cap shell  102  and between the springs is no more than 10% smaller than the diameter of the cigar to be inserted. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the cap  100 , the cap  100  further includes a magnet  108 . Depending on the embodiment, the magnet  108  may be attached to either the exterior or interior of the cap shell  102 . In some implementations, the magnet  108  is attached to the cap shell  102  by an adhesive substance. In further implementations, the magnet  108  is built into the cap shell  102 . In implementations in which the cap shell  102  is ferrous, the magnet  108  may be attached to the cap shell  102  magnetically. 
     In some implementations, the magnet  108  is attached to the exterior of the closed end of the cap shell  102 . In other implementations, the magnet  108  is attached to the exterior of the cap shell  102  along the circumference of the cap shell  102 . Depending on the embodiment, the magnet  108  along the circumference of the cap shell  102  may be placed at one location on the side of the cap shell  102  or may surround the entire circumference as a ring. In further implementations, the magnet  108  may be placed in a constructed chamber in the cap shell  102  such that the magnet  108  cannot be removed and/or seen without deconstructing the cap  100 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary cap  100  with springs designed to cradle and hold a cigar in place. The cap  100  of  FIG. 2  is comprised of at least a cap shell  102 , one or more cut-outs  104 , one or more springs  106 , and a magnet  108 . The cap shell  102  may be made of a metallic, fire-resistant, non-combustible material. The cap shell  102  also has at least one cut-out  104  and at least one magnet  108  attached to the cap shell  102 . 
     The one or more springs  106  are wound through the at least one cut-out  104 . In some embodiments, the springs  106  expand when met with pressure, allowing the cap  100  to be placed on a cigar. Similarly, the springs  106  may then attempt to return to an original state, tightening around the inserted cigar. The pressure from the springs  106  cradles the cigar and may hold the cigar in place, allowing it to remain steady even when the cap  100  is tilted or turned. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary metallic cap  100  with springs  106  designed to cradle and hold a cigar in place. The cap  100  has a metallic, fire-resistant, non-combustible cap shell  102 . The cap also includes one or more springs  106  wound through at least one cut-out (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, a magnet  108  is attached to the exterior of the cap shell  102 . In further embodiments, the magnet  108  is attached to the exterior of the closed end of the cap shell  102 . Depending on the implementation, the magnet  108  may cover some to substantially all of the closed end of the cap shell  102 . Further, the magnet  108  may be a neodymium magnet, samarium cobalt magnet, alnico magnet, ceramic magnet, ferrite magnet, or any other type of permanent magnet. 
     As an example depiction, consider the following cap. The cap is comprised of a cap shell made of aluminum, three springs, and a ceramic magnet. The cap shell is cylindrical and has a closed end and an open end, each with a diameter of one and one-eighth inches. The cap shell extends one and one-half inches between the closed end and the open end. The cap also has three cut-outs proximate to the open end of the cap shell, each of equal length and spaced evenly along the circumference. Each spring is wound around the strip of cap shell separating each cut-out from the open end of the cap shell and extends one-eighth of an inch towards the center of the open end. The ceramic magnet is attached to the closed end of the exterior of the cap shell. The ceramic magnet is one inch in diameter, covering most of the closed end of the cap shell, and is centered on the closed end of the cap shell. 
     The cap can be placed on the lit end of a lit cigar with a diameter of one inch. When the cap is placed on the cigar, it comes into contact with the springs, as the springs create an effective diameter of seven-eighths of an inch for the open end of the cap. When the cigar comes into contact with and exerts pressure upon the springs, the springs expand by at least one-sixteenth of an inch each, allowing the cigar to be inserted. The cap is pressed firmly onto the cigar, causing the cigar to be extinguished due to pressure and oxygen deprivation. The springs attempt to return to a natural state, tightening around the cigar. The cap can then be placed on a ferrous metallic surface to hold the cigar while the user has easy use of both hands. The cap can be placed on a flat surface or on an angled surface. 
     Portable Cap for Extinguishing Cigars Using a Tab-Based Cradling Method 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of an exemplary cap  200  with tabs  204  biased to stabilize and hold a cigar in place and a metallic insert  206  to extinguish the cigar. In one embodiment, the cap  200  is comprised of at least a cap shell  202 . The cap shell  202  acts as the main body of the cap  200  and can, depending on the embodiment, be made of a variety of different materials. Depending on the embodiment, the cap  200  can be made of metallic or nonmetallic material. 
     In further embodiments, the cap shell  202  has an open end and a closed end, such that a cigar can be inserted into the cap shell  202 . Depending on the embodiment, the cap shell  202  may cover up to 100% of the cigar when the cigar is inserted into the cap shell  202 . Depending on the embodiment, the cap shell  202  can be shaped to fit the diameter of any size of cigar. In some implementations, the cap shell  202  fits a cigar when the diameter of the open end of the cap shell  202  is no more than 10% larger than the diameter of the cigar. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the cap  200 , the cap shell  202  is configured such that one or more tabs  204  extend inwards towards the center of the cap shell  202 . In some embodiments, the tabs are formed from cap shell  202 , and thus are attached to the cap shell  202  as part of one, seamless whole. In further embodiments, the tabs are made separately from either the same or a different material and are attached to the cap shell  202  through the use of an adhesive, a bonding agent, grooves and slots, and/or any other technique known in the art. 
     In some embodiments, the tabs  204  are biased inwards such that a cigar can be inserted into the cap  200  and be held securely in place. The tabs  204  are designed to bend and/or be pushed backwards by a cigar such that the cigar can be inserted into the cap  200 . The tabs  204  then, being biased towards the original shape and/or position, exert force on the cigar as the tabs  204  attempt to return to the original shape and/or position. In some implementations, the tabs  204  are sufficiently elastic so as to allow the cigar to be removed with an application of force by bending upwards. In further implementations, the tabs  204  have rounded edges so as to allow the cigar to be removed without damage. 
     Though the description above discusses tabs  204  in the plural, the cap  200  in some embodiments may also have a singular tab  204 . In some implementations, the tab  204  is shaped like a ring and covers substantially all of the circumference of the interior wall of the cap shell  202 . In other implementations, the singular tab  204  may be large enough and/or exert sufficient force that a cigar may be held in place by the singular tab  204  pushing the cigar up against the interior wall of the cap shell  202  and/or metal insert  206 . 
     Similarly, though the tabs  204  are depicted as being immediately proximate to the open end of the cap shell  202  in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the tabs  204  may be located anywhere on the interior of the cap shell  202 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the cap  200 , the cap  200  is further comprised of a metallic insert  206 . The metallic insert  206  is fire-resistant and non-combustible, allowing the cap  200  to be safely placed on a lit cigar. In some embodiments, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the interior of the closed end of cap shell  202 . In further embodiments, the metallic insert  206  is also attached to the interior walls of the cap shell  202 . In some implementations, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the cap shell  202  through the use of an adhesive and/or a bonding agent. In further implementations, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the cap shell through grooves or slots built-in to the cap shell  202 . In still further implementations, the metallic insert  206  is ferrous and is attached to the cap shell  202  by means of a magnet. 
     As the metallic insert  206  is fire-resistant and non-combustible, it can be safely placed against the lit end of a cigar. When the metallic insert  206  attached to the cap shell  202  is placed against the lit end of a cigar, the cigar is extinguished. In some implementations, the cigar is extinguished due to oxygen deprivation. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the cap  200 , the cap  200  further includes a magnet  208 . Depending on the embodiment, the magnet  208  may be attached to either the exterior or interior of the cap shell  202 . In some embodiments, the magnet  208  is attached to the cap shell  202  by an adhesive substance. In further embodiments, the magnet  208  is built into the cap shell  202 . 
     In some implementations, the magnet  208  is attached to the exterior of the closed end of the cap shell  202 . In other implementations, the magnet  208  is attached to the exterior of the cap shell  202  along the circumference of the cap shell  202 . Depending on the embodiment, the magnet  208  along the circumference of the cap shell  202  may be placed at one location on the side of the cap shell  202  or may surround the circumference as a ring. In further implementations, the magnet  208  may be placed in a constructed chamber in the cap shell  202  such that the magnet  208  cannot be removed and/or seen without deconstructing the cap  200 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary nonmetallic cap  200  with tabs  204  biased to stabilize and hold a cigar in place and a metallic insert  206  to extinguish the cigar. The cap  200  of  FIG. 5  is comprised of at least a cap shell  202 , one or more tabs  204 , a metallic insert  206 , and a magnet  208 . The cap shell  202  may be made of a nonmetallic material. In some embodiments, the cap shell  202  may be fire-resistant and non-combustible. 
     The one or more tabs  204  extend out from the interior wall of the cap shell  202 . Depending on the embodiment, the tabs  204  may extend out to up to 50% of the diameter of the open end of the cap shell  202 . In embodiments with a single tab  204 , the tab  204  may extend out to the length of the diameter of the open end of the cap shell  202 . In a neutral state with no cigar, the tabs  204  may be biased inward at an angle of up to ninety degrees from the interior wall of the cap shell  202 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary nonmetallic cap  200  with tabs  204  biased to stabilize and hold a cigar in place and a metallic insert  206  that causes the cigar to be extinguished when the cap  200  is placed on the lit end of the cigar. The cap  200  has a nonmetallic cap shell  202 . The cap also includes one or more tabs  204  and a magnet (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, the cap  200  has a metallic insert  206 . The metallic insert  206  is made of a metallic, fire-resistant, non-combustible material. The metallic insert  206  is attached to the interior of the cap shell  202 . In some embodiments, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the interior of the closed end of the cap shell. In various implementations, the metallic insert covers some to all of the closed end of the cap shell  202 . In further embodiments, the metallic insert  206  covers the entirety of the closed end of the cap shell  202  and extends upwards to cover some to all of the interior wall of the cap shell  202 . In some implementations, the metallic insert  206  is made from the same material throughout. The metallic insert  206  may also be made of a mixture of materials. 
     Depending on the embodiment, the metallic insert  206  may be attached to the cap shell  202  in different ways. In one embodiment, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the cap shell  202  through the use of an adhesive or bonding agent. In further embodiments, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the cap shell  202  by slotting in to the cap shell  202  or through otherwise permanently attaching the cap shell  202  to the metallic insert  206 . This may be accomplished during the initial manufacturing of the cap shell  202  or at any point thereafter. In still further embodiments, the metallic insert  206  is attached to the cap shell  202  by way of an embedded magnet. Depending on the implementation, this may be the magnet  208  or it may be a separate magnet. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary interior to a nonmetallic cap  200  with tabs  204  biased to stabilize and hold a cigar in place and a metallic insert  206  to extinguish the cigar.  FIG. 7B  illustrates an exemplary interior to the same nonmetallic cap  200  with a cigar inserted, depicting an exemplary movement of the tabs  204  biased to hold a cigar in place. 
     Together,  FIGS. 7A &amp;B depict an exemplary embodiment of a nonmetallic cap  200  and particularly of how tabs  204  may move in order to allow the cap  200  to be placed on a cigar. Further,  FIGS. 7A &amp;B depict how the tabs  204  subsequently exert pressure to keep the cigar held securely in the cap  200 . In some embodiments, the tabs  204  have pressure  210  placed on them, causing them to move towards the walls of the cap shell  202 . This pressure may be due to a cigar being inserted or may be due to a crank, spring, or other similar mechanism moving them toward the interior wall of the cap shell  202 . In further embodiments, the tabs  204  exert pressure  212  back onto the cigar once the cigar has been inserted into the cap  200 . In some implementations, the tabs  204  begin exerting pressure  212  on the cigar immediately upon insertion. In further implementations, the tabs  204  are released after the cigar has been fully inserted and the tabs  204  begin exerting pressure  212  against the cigar. 
     ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 
     All of the foregoing devices may include additional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussed herein. The following additional considerations apply to the foregoing discussion. Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s). 
     This detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One may implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application.