Cigar Cutter Cradle Alignment for Perpendicular Cap Cuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cigar cutters fail to ensure a precise, perpendicular cut on the cigar cap, leading to inconsistent and compromised smoking experiences due to angled cuts and variable cut locations.
Innovation Solution
A cigar cutting device with a cradle mechanism and adjustable cradle portions to align the cigar perpendicular to the cutting plane, combined with a stop to ensure a consistent cut location, and a cutting blade that moves relative to the body for precise cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional cigar cutters are used, then the cutting operation is simple and quick, but the cut precision and perpendicularity are poor leading to inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle mechanism positions and aligns the cigar perpendicular to the cutting blade before the cutting action occurs. This preliminary alignment ensures that the cut is always perpendicular regardless of how the user holds the cigar, eliminating the need for user skill in achieving proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the cutting blade. It provides a stable, perpendicular reference surface that the cigar rests against, ensuring consistent orientation during cutting without requiring the user to manually position the cigar at the correct angle.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cut location consistency varies across different cigars
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual alignment operations with a mechanical cradle system. The cradle's geometry and movement mechanism automatically ensure that the cigar is positioned at the correct location and orientation, eliminating variability introduced by manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle mechanism performs preliminary positioning of the cigar before cutting. By establishing the correct position and orientation in advance through mechanical means, the system ensures consistent cut locations across all cigars without requiring repeated manual adjustment.
3Reliability
If no alignment mechanism is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but angled cuts damage the cigar structure and wrapper
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle mechanism performs preliminary alignment of the cigar perpendicular to the cutting blade before the cut is made. This ensures that the cutting force is applied evenly and perpendicularly to the cap, preventing tearing or damage to the wrapper and maintaining cigar structure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle serves as a protective intermediary between the cutting blade and the cigar. It ensures that the blade contacts the cigar in the correct orientation, distributing the cutting force evenly and preventing concentrated stress that could damage the wrapper or filler structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A cigar cutting device is provided. In some examples, the cigar cutting device can include a body defining an opening for receiving at least a portion of a cigar. The cigar cutting device can also include a cutter portion coupled to the body and including a blade that can cut the cigar. The cutter portion can be adjustable between a first position, where the blade is spaced apart from the opening of the body, and a second position, where the blade is configured to cut the cigar. The cigar cutting device can also include a cradle movably coupled to the cutter portion and defining a receiving portion for facilitating alignment of the cigar. The cradle can be adjustable between a first position and a second position. The cutter portion can be configured to adjust the cradle into the first position when the cutter portion is adjusted into the first position.