Assembly for Liquor Vapor Infusion of Cigars

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The instant invention relates to cigars and liquor. More particularly, the instant invention relates to apparatus and assemblies which are adapted for exposing cigars to scents and vapors emanating from liquor for infusion of such scents and vapor into the cigar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Prior art assemblies for exposing a cigar to scents and vapors emanating from liquor incorporate multiple stopper, plug, or cap components. Such prior art incorporations of multiple components undesirably increase the mechanical complexity of the assembly, and such multiple components tend to undesirably detract from the assembly's aesthetic appearance.

[0003]The instant inventive assembly for infusing cigars with liquor vapors solves or ameliorates the above-noted problems and defects of prior art and conventional assemblies by incorporating a specialized and specially configured stopper component which reduces the number of stopper components incorporated within the assembly to one. The inventive assembly additionally preserves aesthetic appearance and presentation characteristics of both a cigar tube component of the assembly and a liquor bottle component, while enhancing their aesthetic appeal via extension of the liquor's scent and taste characteristics to the assembly's cigar component.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004]Users of the instant inventive assembly will pursue a functional objective of infusing a cigar with vapors, scent accents, tastes and flavors which emanate from volatile liquors such as whiskey or bourbon. In a preferred configuration of the instant inventive assembly, the vapor and scent producing liquor is contained within an upright liquor bottle which has an upwardly extending neck which forms an upwardly opening mouth. In the preferred embodiment, the liquor bottle is specially configured, designed and stylized for the presentation and display of the liquor in an aesthetically pleasing or appealing manner. Such stylized liquor bottles are identified by type or style names such as Nordic, Norway, New Yorker, Tennessee, Niagara, and Michigan.

[0005]An upper structural component of the instant inventive assembly comprises a cigar tube having a lower opening or lower mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the cigar tube has a transparent wall which allows the cigar tube to additionally function as a display case. Similarly with aesthetic styles and designs of liquor bottles, cigar tubes are known to incorporate aesthetic styling and design features including a domed upper end or ceiling and a transparent tubular slide wall. Cigars themselves are also aesthetically designed, including stylized and graphically interesting cigar bands. By providing a transparent side wall, the cigar tube may incorporate the aesthetically appealing appearance of the cigar.

[0006]A central or medial structural component of the instant inventive assembly comprises a stopper having an upper end and a lower end. Means for mounting the stopper upon the cigar tube are also provided, such means being adapted to securely position the stopper's upper end at the cigar tube's lower opening or mouth. Such means are preferably further adapted to allow the stopper's upper end to hermetically seal and close the cigar tube's lower opening.

[0007]Where the assembly's cigar tube component includes a circular cylindrical wall and a downwardly opening mouth, the means for mounting the stopper upon the cigar tube may suitably comprise a helically threaded joint having a female threads half which extends inwardly from the cigar tube's lower opening, and having a male helical threads half which extends radially outwardly from the stopper's upper end. Alternatively, the male helical threads half of such joint may extend radially outwardly from the cigar tube's lower opening, such reversed orientation of screw threads requiring that the joint's mating female helical threads extend radially inwardly from, for example, an annularly extending shoulder formed at the stopper's upper end.

[0008]Further alternative means for mounting the stopper upon the cigar tube may suitably comprise a pressure fitted joint, a snap ridge joint, a snap channel joint, or an “L” channel and slide pin joint.

[0009]Further structural components of the instant inventive assembly comprise means for mounting the lower end of the stopper upon a liquor bottle. Preferably, the liquor bottle is aesthetically designed in a manner as described above. In a suitable embodiment, the bottle mounting means comprise a cylindrical or conical shank having a flexible sidewall, the shank suitably being composed of cork, an elastomeric plastic material, rubber, or synthetic rubber. Alternatively, the assembly's means for mounting the stopper upon the liquor bottle may be conically configured to achieve a close-fitting hermetic seal at a conical juncture formed at the upper opening or mouth of the liquor bottle's throat. Further alternatively, such mounting means may comprise a conical shank which is either smooth walled or is of the type which presents a series of elastomeric rings or ridges, such conical shank being adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the necks of variously sized liquor bottles. The assembly's means for mounting the stopper upon the liquor bottle may further alternatively comprise an annularly and downwardly extending shoulder or wall which presents radially inwardly extending helical threads, such alternative means being adapted to threadedly engage external threads which may be presented at the upper end of a liquor bottle's neck.

[0010]A further structural component of the instant inventive assembly comprises a channel which extends vertically through the stopper. In the preferred embodiment, an upper end of the channel opens at the upper end of the stopper, and a lower end of the channel opens at the stopper's lower end.

[0011]In use of the instant inventive assembly, an operator may initially grasp the cigar tube component. Thereafter, the operator may manually insert a cigar into and through the cigar tube's lower mouth opening. Thereafter, the operator may further grasp the assembly's stopper component with his or her other hand. Thereafter, the operator may utilize the upper stopper mounting means to securely attach the stopper to the cigar tube's lower end. In the preferred embodiment, the stopper's cigar tube attachment hermetically seals the cigar tube's lower opening, while allowing the channel's upper opening to communicate with the cigar tube's interior.

[0012]Thereafter, the operator may manually position the assembly's lower stopper mounting means for attachment of the stopper's lower end to the upwardly opening neck of a liquor bottle. Attachment and engagement of the stopper to the liquor bottle allows the channel's lower opening to communicate with the liquor bottle's interior.

[0013]Upon assembly of components as described above, volatile vapors from liquor contained within the bottle naturally travel upwardly through the channel to enter the cigar tube's interior. Vapors transmitted into the cigar tube beneficially infuse the cigar with the scent and taste of the liquor.

[0014]The upper cigar tube and the lower liquor bottle components of the inventive assembly conventionally perform functions of displaying their contents in an aesthetically appealing manner. The aesthetic appeal of a conventional cigar tube includes the lateral profile of its stopper or cap, and the upper end of the instant invention's stopper preferably includes a lateral profile which closely matches that of such conventional stopper or cap. Such matching profile appearances advantageously incorporates the aesthetics of a conventional cigar tube into the assembly. The lower end of the instant invention's stopper, by matching the lateral profile of a conventional liquor bottle stopper, similarly preserves and is consonant with the liquor bottle's aesthetic liquor displaying function. Thus, the instant inventive assembly additionally incorporates the positive aesthetic appearance of a conventional stylized liquor bottle. While preserving and performing the aesthetic functions of both cigar tubes and liquor bottles, the channel within the inventive stopper allows the scents and vapors emanating from the liquor to infuse the cigar, further unifying and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the cigar tube and liquor bottle combination.

[0015]Aesthetic visual aspects of both the cigar tube and the liquor bottle are unified and enhanced by the assembly's vertically interconnected presentation of such components which is facilitated by the specialized interconnecting stopper. Via its liquor vapors conveying action, the stopper's channel transmits the aesthetically appealing scent and taste aspects of the liquor to the overlying cigar. Accordingly, the instant inventive assembly facilitates symbiotic enhancements of the aesthetic visual, scent, and taste aspects of the liquor, the liquor bottle, the cigar, and the cigar tube.

[0016]Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of an assembly for infusing a cigar with vapors from liquor, which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in relation to each other in the manners described above for the achievement and performance of beneficial functions as described above.

[0017]Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art, upon review of the detailed description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 presents in exploded view a prior art cigar tube and cigar combination.

[0019]FIG. 2 presents in exploded view a prior art liquor bottle and stopper combination.

[0020]FIG. 3 presents, in perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a stopper component of the inventive assembly, the view further showing, in exploded view, cigar tube and cigar components.

[0021]FIG. 4 re-depicts the structure of FIG. 3, the view of FIG. 4 showing components in their assembled configuration.

[0022]FIG. 5 re-depicts the structure of FIG. 3, the view further showing, in exploded view, a liquor bottle.

[0023]FIG. 6 is an assembled view of the structures of FIG. 5.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view as indicated in FIG. 6.

[0025]FIG. 8 redepicts the structure of FIG. 4, the view showing a conically configured stopper lower shank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a prior art cigar tube 1, and a cigar 2 which is received within the cigar tube 1. The lower shank portion of the tube's lid or cap 3 may be received within the cigar tube's upper opening, such lid or cap facilitating, for example, a pressure-fitted seal between its reduced diameter lower segment or shank portion and the cigar tube's upper opening. Alternatively configured screw-on type caps and stoppers (not shown within views) constitute known means for hermetically closing a cigar tube.

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a prior art liquor bottle and stopper combination. The liquor bottle 4 contains liquor and has an upper neck opening or mouth which is closed by a downwardly extending reduced diameter lower segment or cylindrical shank portion of a stopper 5. Threaded bottle caps (not shown within views) are conventionally provided as an alternative liquor bottle mouth closure.

[0028]Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 3-7, a specialized stopper component 6 of the instant inventive assembly may simultaneously perform both the function of the prior art cigar tube stopper 3 of FIG. 1 and the function of the prior art liquor bottle stopper 5 of FIG. 2. Similarly with the increased diameter upper end or upper segment of the prior art stopper 5, the instant inventive stopper 6 has an enlarged and preferably disc shaped upper segment or body portion 8. In a preferred embodiment, the annular outer surface of the stopper's body 8 presents friction ridges or knurls 9 for enhancement of manual grasping and turning. The lower end of the disc shaped body 8 suitably forms a downwardly opening socket 24, the function of which is further described below.

[0029]A cylindrical protrusion or lug 14 may extend upwardly from the upper end of the stopper's disk configured body 8, such lug 14 preferably presenting male or radially outwardly extending helical threads 16. An upper channel 20u preferably extends vertically through the stopper's body portion 8, such channel further extending vertically through the upper lug 14. The upper channel 20u, preferably has an upper opening at the upper surface 18 of the lug 14, such channel further opening downwardly at the ceiling of the downwardly opening socket 24. Upon an attachment of the stopper 6 to a cigar tube, such upper surface 18 advantageously functions as and constitutes a cigar tube floor. In a suitable embodiment, a cigar riser 28, the function of which is further described below, extends upwardly from the upper surface 18. Such cigar riser 28 suitably forms an upward continuation of the upper channel 20u, the riser including apertures or ports 30 which serve as the upper opening of the channel 20u.

[0030]The inventive stopper 6 preferably further comprises a reduced diameter lower segment or lower shank portion 10 whose upper end is received within the body's socket 24. An adhesive 26 may be disposed between the upper end of the shank 10 and the inner walls of the socket 24 for securely holding the shank 10 at the depicted downwardly extending position. The stopper's lower shank 10 preferably includes a lower channel 20l, which opens upwardly in communication with the lower opening of the upper channel 20u, such lower channel having a lower opening 22l at the lower end or face 12 of the shank 10.

[0031]Referring in particular to alternate configuration of FIG. 8, structures of the alternate configuration which are identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “A” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in other figures. In the FIG. 8 alternative, the cylindrical lower shank 10 of FIGS. 3-7 is replaced by a conically configured shank 70. Such shank 70 is suitably composed of a plastic elastomer, cork, synthetic rubber, or natural rubber. The alternative conical configuration of the shank 70 allows its lower end to be downwardly inserted into the upwardly opening mouth of a liquor bottle, and to seal against the inner periphery of the bottle's mouth regardless of the diameter of such mouth. The alternative shank may be inserted into and may advantageously seal against the mouths of liquor bottles having a range of diameters as small as the diameter of such shank's lower end 72 or as large as the diameter of the socket 24A which receives such shank's upper end.

[0032]A further structural component of the instant inventive assembly comprises a cigar tube 34 which preferably has a cylindrical sidewall 36, a domed upper ceiling 38, and a lower opening or mouth 50 which is surrounded and defined by a lower lip 42. A cigar 54 may be inserted through the lower opening 50 to be received within the interior 40 of the cigar tube 34, as indicated in FIG. 4.

[0033]Where the cigar tube 34 is composed of glass, an adapter ring 46 having internal or radially inwardly extending helical threads 48 may be fixedly attached at the tube's lower opening by an adhesive bond 52, such bond holding the adapter 46 at and immediately above the cigar tube's lip 42. Alternatively, where the cigar tube is composed of plastic, such inwardly extending helical threads may be integrally molded with the side wall. In the preferred embodiment, the cigar tube's inwardly extending helical threads 48 are closely fitted for threaded engagement with the stopper's male helical threads 16.

[0034]In use of the instant inventive assembly, the cigar tube 34 and the stopper 6 may be initially assembled as indicated in FIG. 4, with the cigar 54 securely contained within the tube's interior 40. By virtue of the cigar tube's preferred transparent character, the cigar is appealingly displayed by the cigar tube.

[0035]Thereafter, a liquor bottle 60 may be provided, such bottle having an upwardly opening neck 66, and having a volume of liquor such as whiskey 64 contained within its interior 62. Thereafter, the operator, while grasping the interconnected cigar tube and stopper assembly of FIG. 4, may vertically align the lower end 12 of the stopper's shank 10 above the upwardly opening mouth of the channel 63. Thereafter, the operator may drive the lower end of the FIG. 4 assembly downwardly into the bottle's mouth, causing the shank 10 to downwardly insert into and seal within the channel 63 of the liquor bottle's neck 66.

[0036]Thereafter, liquor scent and taste carrying vapors which have emanated from the liquor 64 into the interior 62 of the liquor bottle 60 may further emanate, traveling upwardly through the bottle's neck channel 63 to enter the lower opening 22l of the stopper's channel 20u,20l. Upward passage of such vapors through the channel allows the vapors to emit through apertures 30 within the riser 28 to further flow into the interior 40 of the cigar tube 34. The riser 28 effectively holds the lower end 56 of the cigar 54 above the tube's floor 18, thereby preventing the cigar from closing the stopper's channel 20u,20l. Through operation of the instant inventive assembly, liquor vapors and scents from the liquor 64 advantageously surround the cigar 54 within the cigar tube's interior 40. The instant invention advantageously infuses the cigar, causing the cigar to have both a scent and a taste which reflects the liquor 64.

[0037]The male and female helical threads 16 and 48 which join the upper end of the stopper 6 with the lower opening of the cigar tube 34 are intended as being representative of other commonly known and suitably substituted mounting means such as a reverse configuration of such threads, pressure fitted joints, snap channel and snap ridge configured joints, and “L” channel and slide-pin configured joints. The cork configured shank portion 10 of the stopper 6 is similarly intended as being representative of other suitably substituted means for mounting the stopper 6 upon a liquor bottle, such alternative means suitably comprising conically configured shanks, male threaded lugs, and female threaded shoulder walls.

[0038]In addition to its facilitation of liquor vapor infusion of cigars, the instant invention promotes and achieves the aesthetically appealing presentations which are effected by commonly known and commonly configured cigar tubes and liquor bottles. Referring to FIG. 6, upper portions of the instant inventive assembly advantageously achieve the aesthetic presentation appeal of a conventionally configured transparent cigar tube without any degradation of such appeal resulting from the downwardly connected liquor bottle. The inventive assembly further achieves the aesthetic presenting appeal of conventionally configured stoppered liquor bottles without any degradation of such appeal resulting from the upwardly connected cigar tube. By adapting the stopper component to perform a scent and taste infusion function, the instant invention extends the aesthetically appealing scent and taste characteristics of the liquor within the bottle to the cigar within the cigar tube. Accordingly, the aesthetic characteristics of the cigar tube and the liquor bottle are cumulatively enhanced by the vertically aligned and stacked configuration of those components, while aesthetic scent and taste characteristics of the liquor are extended and enhanced via the stopper's upward communication of vapors to the cigar tube and cigar. Accordingly, multiple aesthetically appealing characteristics of the liquor bottle 60, the liquor 64 within the bottle, the cigar tube 34, and cigar 54 are enhanced by the structures connecting and vapors transmitting functions of the specialized stopper 6.

[0039]While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims.