Cigar Perforator

Abstract

A cigar cutter for perforating the head of a cigar having an outer housing, generally preferably cylindrical in form, with one closed end and one open end. A plurality of equally spaced flexible blades are attached to the interior of the housing and angled inward to the center of the closed end of the cylinder such as to engage the head of a cigar when inserted into the open end of the housing. The cigar, traveling the full length of the housing, will engage the blades causing them to slice into the shoulder of the cigar head creating razor thin openings. The housing is also fitted with a cap to cover the open end and protect both the cutting blades and the user when the cutter is being stored between uses.

1 . A device for perforating a cigar or like article, the device comprising:
 (a) a hollow housing having a closed end and open end,   (b) a plurality of perforating elements connected at one end to and disposed about the interior wall of the housing individually addressable and capable of piercing the shoulder of a cigar as it is inserted into the open end of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The device in  claim 1  wherein the perforating elements are connected at one end to and radially disposed about the interior wall of the housing depending longitudinally from the point of connection angled centrally and towards the closed end, each said perforating element individually addressable and capable of piercing the shoulder of a cigar as it is inserted into the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . A device for perforating a cigar or like article, the device comprising:
 (a) a hollow housing having a closed end and open end,   (b) a blade assembly mounted to the interior wall of the housing, the blade assembly comprised of a plurality of perforating elements radially disposed about a common band and depending downward and angled centrally and towards the closed end, each said perforating element individually addressable and capable of piercing the shoulder of a cigar as it is inserted into the open end of the housing.   
     
     
         4 . The device in  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3  wherein the perforating elements are each further comprised of an extension guide attached at one end to the interior of the housing and a cutting blade opposably attached thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The device in  claim 4  wherein the cutting blades are removably attached to the extension guides such that they can be replaced when dull after multiple uses. 
     
     
         6 . The device in  claim 5  wherein the cutting blades are made of a material capable of being sharpened to slit the wrapper of a cigar, such as stainless steel or a ceramic including zirconium oxide. 
     
     
         7 . The device in  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3  further comprising a means for providing tension to the perforating elements whereby upon insertion of the head of the cigar into the open end of the housing, the head will engage the perforating elements thereby causing perforations of the shoulder of the cigar and upon withdrawal of the cigar the perforating elements will release such that the cigar can be easily removed without damage. 
     
     
         8 . The device in  claim 7  wherein the tension providing means comprises a spring mechanism affixed to the interior wall of the housing behind the perforating elements whereby such spring creates pressure opposing the pressure against the perforating elements from the insertion of the head of the cigar. 
     
     
         9 . The device in  claim 7  wherein the tension providing means comprises resiliently yielding material such as foam rubber affixed to the interior wall of the housing behind the perforating elements whereby such foam creates pressure opposing the pressure against the perforating elements from the insertion of the head of the cigar. 
     
     
         10 . The device in  claim 7  wherein the tension providing means comprises a protruding pivot point located on the extension guide facing the interior wall of the housing proximate to the attachment of the extension guide to said wall. 
     
     
         11 . The device in  claim 3  wherein the blade assembly is first comprised of a flat planar surface of resiliently deflectable material to be capable of being forced into a cylindrical form and inserted into the housing, the flexion of the material sufficient to cause pressure against the interior wall of the housing holding it in place but capable of later removal. 
     
     
         12 . The device in  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3  wherein the perforating elements are comprised of cutting blades with a sharpened edge exposed towards the center of the housing thereby causing longitudinal slits in the shoulder of the cigar as the head of the cigar is inserted into the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The device in  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3  wherein the perforating elements are made of resiliently yielding material such as stainless steel or sufficiently flexible plastic such that tension is created and maintained by the material used to form the perforating elements. 
     
     
         14 . The device in  claim 4  wherein the extension guides are made of resiliently yielding material such as stainless steel or sufficiently flexible plastic such that tension is created and maintained by the material used to form the perforating elements. 
     
     
         15 . The device in  claim 7  or  13  further comprising a hollow cap removably attached to the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The device in  claim 15  wherein the cap is threadably engageable with the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The device in  claim 15  wherein the cap is hingedly attached to the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The device in  claim 15  wherein the cap is attachable to the housing by means of flanges extending from the edge of the cap to allow for a compressed fit when seated within the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The device in  claim 7  wherein the closed end of the housing is similar in shape to the head of a cigar so as to receive and arrest the cigar as it is pushed down against the perforating elements thus providing a consistent placement of the perforations at the smoker's lip level of the shoulder of the cigar, and acting as a guide to limit the depth of the perforations into the wrapper of the cigar. 
     
     
         20 . The device in  claim 5  further comprising an extension guide having at least one molded tang extending outward from the guide and a cutting blade having at least one cut-out adapted to receive the tang when the tang is disposed in the central region of the cut-out allowing the guide and cutting blade to snap together. 
     
     
         21 . A method of perforating a cigar, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a cigar perforating device comprising a hollow housing having a closed end and open end, the closed end adapted to receive the head of the cigar, a plurality of perforating elements radially disposed in the interior of the housing, a means for mounting the perforating elements under tension to the interior of the housing whereby upon insertion of the cigar head into the open end of the housing, the head will engage the perforating elements causing perforations to the shoulder of the cigar and upon withdrawal of the cigar release the perforating elements and allow removal of the cigar from the housing without damage,   (b) positioning the head of a cigar within said housing towards the closed end such that the head extends into the housing towards the closed end thereby engaging the perforating elements,   (c) withdrawing said cigar upon perforation.