Cigar Piercing Tool with Sliding Protective Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cigars with densely packed tobacco leaves can be difficult to draw from without first creating a passage, and existing tools often expose a sharp end or fail to prevent unintentional exposure of the sharp end.
Innovation Solution
A cigar tool with a piercing rod, handle, and a cover that can be attached over the piercing rod, featuring a sliding mechanism with a spring bias and ball recesses to safely expose the piercing rod for use and include a cutting edge for lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a piercing tool is used to penetrate densely packed cigars, then the ability to create a passage through the cigar is improved, but the risk of accidental exposure of the sharp end increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing rod is nested within a protective cap that is itself nested within the handle assembly. This multi-level nesting ensures the sharp piercing end is continuously protected during storage and transport, eliminating accidental exposure while maintaining ease of use when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective cap serves as an intermediary element between the user and the sharp piercing rod. This mediator protects the user from the sharp end while allowing controlled access when the cap is deliberately removed for use.
2Ease of operation
If the piercing rod is always exposed for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety risk from accidental injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is pre-positioned on the piercing rod in a ready-to-use state. This preliminary protective action ensures safety is maintained without requiring additional steps, while the cap can be quickly removed when piercing is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly automatically maintains the protective cap in place through its structural design, requiring no active user intervention to maintain safety. The user simply removes the cap when needed and the system self-manages protection otherwise.
3Reliability
If a cover is added to protect the piercing rod, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is merged with the handle assembly through a integrated design where the cap is received by a dedicated recess in the handle. This combination maintains safety functionality while minimizing overall structural complexity compared to separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it holds the piercing rod, provides a gripping surface, and incorporates the protective cap mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining simplicity while providing comprehensive protection.
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
Enables easy piercing of densely packed cigars while preventing accidental exposure of the sharp end and facilitates efficient smoking by allowing for controlled access to the cigar end, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding portion includes a spring biasing the sliding portion away from the fixed portion
Data Source
AI summary
A cigar tool includes a piercing rod, a handle, and a cover attachable over the piercing rod. The piercing rod is pointed to penetrate a densely packed cigar. The handle includes a fixed portion and a sliding portion, and squeezing the fixed and sliding portions together releases the cover exposing the piercing rod. The cover may be a simple cylindrical key fob or an added feature of a cigar lighter or ash tray.