Cigar Ventilation Implement with Retractable Punch and Needle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cigar ventilation methods, such as cutting or piercing, either result in wastefulness, skill requirements, or limited smoke passage, failing to provide a user-friendly and customizable smoking experience.

Innovation Solution

A cigar ventilating implement combining a retractable cylindrical punch and a coaxially arranged piercing member, allowing for both punching and piercing with controlled depth, featuring a simple and safe design for easy use and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cutting implement is used to slice off the closed end of the cigar, then ventilation is achieved, but loose tobacco leaves are generated and waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation achievementVSAvoidloose tobacco leaves

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary function of removing the binder/wrapper to create a passage, using a punch to remove a small circular portion rather than cutting off the entire end. This eliminates loose tobacco leaves while achieving the ventilation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a needle or spike is used to pierce the closed end of the cigar, then the device is compact and easy to carry, but the passage diameter is too small for optimal smoke flow

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsmoke passage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate functions into a single device: the punching function (to create a large opening) and the piercing function (to create a controlled passage). The punching member creates a large circular opening for optimal smoke flow, while the piercing member can be inserted to control the passage depth and diameter according to user preference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a cylindrical punch is used to remove a circular piece of the end wrapper, then a large diameter opening is created for optimal smoke flow, but the user cannot control the depth of the passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke passage volumeVSAvoidpassage depth control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ventilation function into two distinct operations: first, the punching member creates a large circular opening in the wrapper/binder; second, the piercing member (needle or spike) is inserted through the punched opening to create a controlled passage through the tobacco fill. This segmentation allows independent optimization of both opening size and passage depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If a combined punch and piercing tool is used, then both large opening and controlled passage depth are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomizable smoking experienceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the piercing member is stored within or alongside the punching member in a compact arrangement. The punching member and piercing member are integrated into a single handle assembly, allowing both functions to be combined without significantly increasing the overall device size or complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11252997B2Cigar ventilation implement

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 SYNGE LLC

AI summary

A cigar ventilating implement includes both a cylindrical punch and a piercing member such as a needle or spike. The cylindrical punch and piercing member are extendable from a housing of the implement by gripping laterally extending flanges or pins and pressing on an actuator. One or two coil springs may be provided to bias the punch and/or piercing member to a retracted position, and a retaining member may be provided to latch the punch in the extended position.