Portable Cigar Cap with Metallic Insert and Spring Cradle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for safely capping and extinguishing cigars are either unwieldy, difficult to transport, require specific shapes, allow ash to scatter, or fail to fully extinguish the cigar, limiting their use during activities that require both hands.
Innovation Solution
A portable cap with a metallic or nonmetallic shell, featuring cut-outs, springs or tabs for cradling, and a fire-resistant metallic insert or magnet to securely hold and extinguish cigars by oxygen deprivation, allowing use during various recreational activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing solutions for safely capping and extinguishing cigars are used, then some level of safety is achieved, but the devices are unwieldy and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three main segments: a cap shell for containing the cigar, a spring mechanism for applying clamping force, and a magnet for securing the cap to surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device compact and portable.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is coiled around a segment of the cap shell, and the magnet is attached to the cap shell, creating a nested structure where smaller components are integrated within or on the surface of larger components. This nesting reduces the overall device complexity and improves portability while maintaining safety functionality.
2Ease of operation
If existing solutions are used, then some holding capability is achieved, but they require particularly shaped or formed objects to be effective
Solution Approach 1:
The cap shell is designed with a universal fit that can accommodate various cigar shapes and sizes. The spring mechanism provides adaptive clamping force that adjusts to different cigar dimensions, eliminating the need for specifically shaped objects. The magnet provides universal attachment capability to any ferromagnetic surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is designed to be dynamic, allowing it to compress and expand based on the cigar's shape and size. This dynamic adjustment enables the cap to effectively hold various cigar forms without requiring pre-formed specific shapes, improving both ease of operation and adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing solutions are used, then some containment is achieved, but ash scatters freely causing mess and danger
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor of ash scatter is extracted and contained within the cap shell enclosure. The cap shell acts as a barrier that prevents ash from escaping into the surrounding environment, directly addressing the ash containment issue while eliminating the harmful scatter effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap shell is designed to preemptively prevent ash scatter by providing an enclosed space before the ash can escape. The spring mechanism applies continuous pressure to keep the cigar securely positioned, and the magnet ensures the cap remains firmly attached to the surface, all acting in advance to prevent the harmful effect of ash scatter.
4Reliability
If existing solutions are used, then some holding is achieved, but they fail to extinguish the cigar, allowing it to burn to a stub
Solution Approach 1:
The cap shell creates an oxygen-deprived environment by enclosing the cigar tip when placed on a surface. This inert atmosphere prevents combustion from continuing, effectively extinguishing the cigar without wasting the remaining length. The spring mechanism ensures the cap shell maintains sufficient pressure to seal the enclosure and maintain the oxygen-deprived condition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cap provides a safe, quick, and secure method to cradle and extinguish cigars, preventing ash scatter and ensuring the cigar is fully extinguished, thus enabling their use during two-handed activities like fishing or golfing.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
a magnet attached to the cap shell
Implementation Method 3
the cap shell has an open end and a closed end, wherein: (a) the cap shell is configured such that, when placed on a lit cigar, the cigar is extinguished
Data Source
AI summary
A cap that can be placed on the lit end of a cigar causes the cigar to be extinguished and subsequently securely held. The cigar is extinguished through the use of a metallic cap and/or a metallic insert embedded or otherwise attached to the cap. The cap cradles a cigar through use of a holding mechanism comprised of springs and/or tabs. A magnet attached to the cap allows the cap to be placed on a variety of straight or sloped surfaces and still safely hold a cigar that has been inserted into the cap.