A Small Pocket Tool for Punching the Ends of Cigars instead of Cutting Ends Off as usual.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1889.
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Small Pocket Tool for Punching the Ends of Cigars instead of
Cutting Ends Off as usual.
WILLIAM DIXON of the firm of William Dixon & Son Saddlers Tool Manufacturers
Newport Street Bradford Street Walsall Staffordshire do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This pocket tool is invented by me for the purpose of punching a hole through the
ends of cigars instead of cutting ends off like all other cigar cutters.
It leaves the ends whole simply puts hole through & therefore prevents the cigar
from unwrapping also the draught is very much superior making a cigar much more
pleasant to smoke in consequence of end of cigar remaining on.
It is made to work with a joint action from one end spiral spring next to joint
when pressed down, the cigar end being placed in the tube it will punch through.
Punch is fixed over the tube so that it passes through when pressed by the thumb
& finger.
January 29th 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
A Small Pocket Tool for Punching the Ends of Cigars instead of
Cutting Ends Off as usual.
WILLIAM DIXON of the firm of William Dixon & Son Saddlers Tool Manufacturers
Newport Street Bradford Street Walsall Staffordshire do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
This invention has for its object a small tool, such as can conveniently be carried in
the pocket, with which a cigar can be prepared for smoking with a small draft hole
formed transversely, or transversely inclined, through or into it near its inner end,
thus avoiding the cutting off or notching of such end; the purpose of the invention
being chiefly to avoid the breaking up of the rolled leaf with the consequent liability
of pieces thereof being detached and getting into the mouth. The nicotine also is not
so liable to get into the mouth with a small hole formed through or from one side
as when the end of the cigar is cut off or notched; and thus the smoking is
pleasanter.
A tool for the above purpose, constructed according to this invention, is formed
of two main portions, in one of which is formed a cup-shaped cavity to receive the
inner end of the cigar, and the other of which carries a hollow steel punch which, as
the one part is pressed towards the side of the hollow cavity formed in the other part,
passes through or into the cavity and thus punches out a core of the tobacco. A hole
is formed through one side of the wall of the cavity to receive the punch and, preferably,
also through the opposite side so as to allow the punch to clear right through. A spring
ensures the automatic withdrawal of the punch immediately the pressure by which it
has been forced inwards is removed.
Referring to the drawings herewith
:-
Figure 1 illustrates, in longitudinal section, a tool constructed according to this
invention shewing the punch to be in its normal position, that is not pressed down
within the cavity;
Figure. 2 is an end view of Figure 1 as seen when looking towards the open end
of the cavity; and
Figure 3 is a corresponding view to Figure 1, but shews the punch to be pressed
down into and through the cavity.

page_text: A portion of a cigar is shewn by broken lines Figures 1 and 3.
In the forward end of a part is formed a cavity a to receive or hold the end of
a cigar to be punched; and to the hinder end of such part is hinged or pivoted a
part B, which carries at its forward end the hollow punch b. This punch is open clear
through from end to end, so that a core of tobacco cut out by one operation of the
punch will be pushed out at the top or back end of the punch by the core cut out
by the next succeeding operation. An opening c is formed in the wall of the cavity
to allow of the passage of the punch into and through the cavity, and an opening d
is formed in the opposite side of the wall of the cavity to receive the outer end of
the punch as it clears through the cigar. The cigar is, of course, punched by simply
pressing the part B towards the part A. In order, however, to cause the automatic
withdrawal of the punch from the cigar and cavity, upon removal of the pressure by
which it has been forced inwards, a spiral spring e is interposed between the parts A
and B. This spring surrounds a pin f fixed at one end to the part B and passing
through a slotted hole formed through the part A. The pin serves to keep the
spring in place, and a head g on the outer or unconnected end thereof forms a stop
to the outward movement of the part B from the part A, and thus prevents the
punch from being drawn out of the hole c.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
1. A small tool, such as can conveniently be carried in the pocket, for punching
the ends of cigars, in which a hollow punch carried by one part of the tool is employed
in combination with a cavity or holder formed in another part of the tool, substantially
as described and shewn, for the purpose set forth.
2. A small tool, such as can conveniently be carried in the pocket, for punching
the ends of cigars, substantially as described with reference to the drawings
herewith.
Dated this 8th day of November 1800
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.