Tobacco – Tobacco users' appliance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-08-28
Derrington, James (Department: 1731)
Tobacco
Tobacco users' appliance
C131S290000, C383S210000, C383S038000, C206S204000, C206S205000, C206S213100, C206S242000, C206S258000, C206S256000, C206S260000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279581
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for storing cigars and, more specifically, to a portable, flexible pouch for storing cigars at a selected humidity level.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The desirability of maintaining cigar freshness has been recognized for many years. In effort to prevent cigars from drying out or becoming stale, various types of devices have been used over the years to store cigars at a selected humidity level. Typically, cigar humidors have been large or rigid cases designed for use at fixed locations such as the home, club, or other smoking areas. These conventional hard or rigid cases are not typically suited for portability. These cases are usually too bulky or too hard to be easily carried.
Depending on atmospheric conditions, unwrapped cigars can lose freshness or become stale in a relatively short period of time. In an effort to maintain cigar freshness, cellophane wrappers have been used to retard moisture loss. Unfortunately, the cellophane wrappers do not function to completely prevent moisture loss but only to retard it. Consequently, even wrapped cigars become stale over time. Cellophane wrappers have no capability of replacing lost moisture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a portable unit in the form of a portable cigar humidor is provided for maintaining the selected humidity level for cigars. The cigar humidor includes a flexible cigar storage compartment for storing cigars. The cigar storage compartment may be in the form of a flexible, openably resealable pouch for storing a predetermined number of cigars. A resealable opening is provided for repetitive opening and closing of the cigar storage compartment. The resealable opening may be in the form of a flexible pressure seal, such as a zip-lock seal, to effect convenient opening and secure sealing of the cigar storage compartment.
Additionally, the cigar humidor includes a flexible moisture control compartment for storing a moisture control medium. The moisture control medium provides a moisture reservoir and may be in the form of a sponge. The moisture control compartment may be in the form of a small pouch relative to the size of the cigar storage pouch. The moisture control compartment may have a resealable opening to effect repetitive opening and closing of the compartment in order to permit removal and remoisturizing of the moisture control medium. The resealable opening may be in the form of a flexible pressure seal, such as a zip-lock seal, to effect convenient opening and secure sealing of the moisture control compartment.
A moisture communication section joins the cigar storage compartment and the moisture control compartment. The moisture communication section comprises a passageway for the communication of moisture-laden air from the moisture control compartment to the cigar storage compartment. The passageway may include a series of staggered barriers to provide a channel having a tortuous, winding path to inhibit any leakage of liquid from the moisture control compartment from penetrating the cigar storage compartment and damaging the cigars. The humidor may be integrally formed from a flexible, plastic material so that the moisture communication section joins the cigar storage compartment with the moisture control compartment as a flexible, generally flat unit with a resealable cigar storage pouch at one end and a smaller moisture control pouch at the other end.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2537196 (1951-01-01), Tanski
patent: 3471005 (1969-10-01), Sexstone
patent: 3815828 (1974-06-01), Engel
patent: 5901710 (1999-05-01), Barber
patent: 5938012 (1999-08-01), Yeager et al.
Dann Dorfman Herrell & Skillman P.C.
Derrington James
Walls Dionne A.
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