U.S. patent application number 10/576905 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for cigar cutter device.
Invention is credited to Rapheal Belaubre.
Application Number | 20070089299 10/576905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34400756 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070089299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belaubre; Rapheal |
April 26, 2007 |
Cigar cutter device
Abstract
The present invention relates to a cigar cutter device
comprising a pair of blades movable in pivoting about an axis and
each including a sharp edge presenting an inside face co-operating
in a cutting plane with the inside face of the sharp edge of the
other blade, the device including mechanical coupling means for
coupling pivoting of the two blades about their said respective
pivot axes, said mechanical coupling means comprising at least two
toothed portions secured respectively to each of said blades, and
co-operating by meshing in such a manner as to enable said blades
to move simultaneously and symmetrically about a middle axis, said
sharp edges presenting respective leading profiles that are concave
and symmetrical to each other about said axis, said profiles
preferably being substantially semicircular.
Inventors: |
Belaubre; Rapheal;
(Marseille, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LUCAS & MERCANTI, LLP
475 PARK AVENUE SOUTH
15TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10016
US
|
Family ID: |
34400756 |
Appl. No.: |
10/576905 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR04/02693 |
371 Date: |
April 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 13/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
030/112 |
International
Class: |
A24C 1/24 20060101
A24C001/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2003 |
FR |
0312449 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A cigar-cutter device comprising a pair of blades, said blades
being superposed, and each blade being movable in pivoting about an
axis and including handle and drive means and a sharp edge, said
sharp edge presenting an inside face co-operating in a cutting
plane with the inside face of the cutting edge of the other blade,
said device further comprising means for connecting together said
two superposed blades, comprising at least one connection element
located at said pivot axis, the device including mechanical
coupling means for coupling pivoting of the two blades about their
said respective pivot axes, said mechanical coupling means
comprising at least two toothed portions secured respectively to
each of said blades, and co-operating by meshing in such a manner
as to enable said blades to move simultaneously and symmetrically
about a middle axis, said sharp edges presenting respective leading
profiles that are concave and symmetrical to each other about said
axis, said profiles preferably being substantially
semicircular.
13. A device according to claim 12, including at least one plate
including an orifice that is symmetrical about said middle axis and
that is preferably circular, being suitable for receiving a said
cigar, said plate being secured to the two blades at least via
their said pivot axis (or axes), and said plate being disposed
against the outside face of one of said blades.
14. A device according to claim 13, having two of said plates
placed respectively against each of said outside faces of each of
said blades, said two orifices being identical and place in
register with each other.
15. A device according to claim 12, wherein each said toothed
portion is inscribed in a circular envelope centered on said pivot
axis (or axes) of said blades.
16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said two blades have a
common said pivot axis, and one of said blades has a said toothed
portion that is convex, and the other of said blades has a toothed
portion that is concave, with a pitch circle diameter greater than
that of said convex toothed portion, and wherein said device
includes two gearwheels that are secured to each other and
superposed, sharing a common axis of rotation, preferably where
appropriate secured to said plate, a first gearwheel meshing with
said convex toothed portion and a second gearwheel meshing with
said concave toothed portion.
17. A device according to claim 12, wherein said two blades have
respective distinct ones of said pivot axes, and each blade
includes a said toothed portion that is convex meshing directly
with the identical toothed portion of the other blade.
18. A device according to claim 12, wherein said sharp edge of a
said blade is situation between said pivot axis and said drive
means thereof, said drive means preferably including an orifice
suitable for receiving at least one digit.
19. A device according to claim 12, wherein said connection means
further comprise resilient connection means between said two
blades.
20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said resilient means
comprise a compression or torsion spring holding said blades in an
open position when the device is at rest, and said device further
includes temporary closure means preventing relative displacement
of the two blades when said device is at rest, preferably means for
holding said blades in a close-together position.
21. A device according to claim 12, including abutment guide means
enabling the relative displacement of each blade to be limited,
preferably comprising at least one slider suitable for moving in at
least one slideway that is preferably circular, said slider being
secured to at least one of said blades or said plate, and said
slideway being provided in the other one of said blades or where
appropriate in said plate.
22. A method of cutting a cigar using a device according to claim
12, in which said two sharp edges are spaced apart and a cigar is
inserted between said two edges, preferably inside an orifice
provided in one of said plates, and then said edges are moved
towards each other by imparting said simultaneous and symmetrical
relative displacement so as to cut the cigar, preferably with the
help of said drive means.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a cigar-cutter device and
to a method of cutting cigars using such a device.
[0002] The technical field of the invention is that of designing
and manufacturing devices suitable for cutting cigars of various
sizes and diameters prior to smoking them, and in particular to the
field of designing and manufacturing cigar cutters comprising
scissors.
[0003] Various cigar-cutter devices of this type are known in the
prior art. Firstly there are devices in which two cutters are
united, being crossed and hinged at a pivot that is offset relative
to their sharp edges like the two blades of a pair of scissors, and
in which the sharp edges of the two blades are slightly curved so
as to prevent the cigar from sliding between them during a cutting
operation.
[0004] Alternatively, devices are also to be found of the type
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,523, comprising two blades that do
not cross, i.e. that are hinged to pivot about a pivot at one of
their ends, the blades, where appropriate, being pivotally mounted
inside a rigid protective housing including an orifice for
inserting the portion of a cigar that is to be cut. Said cigar
portion is then cut, without the blades having leverage on the
cigar, by manually pressing against the dull outer portions of the
two blades, the device being held in the palm of the hand.
[0005] That type of device presents a certain number of drawbacks.
Firstly, with those devices, the cigar is cut on one side only,
rather than being cut by the sharp edges of the blades moving
towards each other from either side of the circular section of the
cigar and the two sharp edges applying pressure in two
diametrically-opposite zones. As a result, the cigar is flattened
or crushed prior to being cut, and depending on its degree of
humidity, and in particular if its humidity is low, the result of
such crushing is that its wrapper leaf flakes off and is torn
away.
[0006] In addition, it is also very difficult with such
cigar-cutter devices to provide and ensure relative movement of the
cutting blades towards each other that is symmetrical and
simultaneous. It is not possible manually to maintain a constant
force on both blades at each point where they make contact with the
circumference of the cigar as a function of the resistance opposed
by the cigar to the blades. Thus, a blade in contact with a softer
point of the surface of the cigar tends to penetrate more easily
without that being compensated in any way by a stronger force being
applied by the other blade so as to enable the cigar to be cut in a
manner that is simultaneous and regular by both blades. This makes
cutting more difficult and less accurate.
[0007] To remedy those drawbacks, devices of the "guillotine" type
has been proposed that present simultaneous movement of at least
two blades.
[0008] Devices of that type are described in particular in Japanese
patent 9-289985 or in French patent No. 2 397 796 A.
[0009] Nevertheless, although they ensure the movement of the two
blades is simultaneous and synchronized, those devices are
mechanically complex and fragile, and they are particularly
expensive compared with cigar-cutter devices comprising
scissors.
[0010] Those "guillotine" type devices generally comprise two
blades or cutters that are mutually engaged and movable in
translation along slideway connections within a rigid housing that
includes an orifice for inserting a cigar. The blades or cutters
present sharp edges that are oblique or angular, in particular that
are V-shaped, relative to the travel direction of the blades inside
the housing, the blades closing the orifice in the housing as they
move along the slideways and while they cut the cigar in guillotine
manner.
[0011] That type of device also presents a certain number of other
drawbacks.
[0012] Firstly, that type of cigar cutter, like the above-described
devices, does not enable the cigar to be cut in a manner that is
genuinely regular, simultaneous, and symmetrical, in spite of the
mutual engagement between the blades.
[0013] It is very difficult to ensure that the two blades slide and
engage the cigar in a manner that is genuinely simultaneous when
cutting a cigar of diameter smaller than the diameter of the
orifice in the housing since it is necessary to hold the cigar in
one hand so that it is situated substantially in the middle of the
orifice, while simultaneously actuating the device in the other
hand so as to drive the two blades and perform cutting. In
practice, the user of such devices tends to hold the cigar against
one of the edges of the orifice in the housing so as to ensure the
cigar bears stably thereagainst, and then actuates the blades. As a
result, the cigar is sliced rather than cut, the cigar being
engaged by the blades in a manner that is neither simultaneous nor
symmetrical, thus leading to harmful shearing and flattening or
crushing of the cigar.
[0014] In addition, another disadvantage of "guillotine" type
devices lies in their very structure which allows pieces of cigar
that have become stuck or entrained by the blades to penetrate into
the inside of the housing and into the mechanism while a cigar is
being cut, which leads, over time, to matter accumulating in the
blade-slide mechanism, causing it to jam and making the device
unusable.
[0015] Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a
cigar-cutter device that is simple in structure, in use, and to
maintain, and that overcomes all of the drawbacks inherent to the
devices known in the prior art.
[0016] In particular, another object of the present invention is to
provide a cigar-cutter device that provides cutting that is
accurate and uniform around the entire circumference of the cigar
regardless of its diameter or of its degree of humidity.
[0017] For this purpose, the invention consists of a cigar-cutter
device comprising a pair of blades, said blades being superposed,
and each blade being movable in pivoting about an axis and
including handle and drive means and a sharp edge, said sharp edge
presenting an inside face co-operating in a cutting plane with the
inside face of the cutting edge of the other blade, said device
further comprising means for connecting together said two
superposed blades, comprising at least one connection element
located at said pivot axis.
[0018] According to the present invention, the cigar-cutter device
is characterized in that it includes mechanical coupling means for
coupling pivoting of the two blades about their said respective
pivot axes, said mechanical coupling means comprising at least two
toothed portions secured respectively to each of said blades, and
co-operating by meshing in such a manner as to enable said blades
to move simultaneously and symmetrically about a middle axis, said
sharp edges presenting respective leading profiles that are concave
and symmetrical to each other about said axis, said profiles
preferably being substantially semicircular.
[0019] It will be understood that said middle axis is directed by
the invention along a diameter of a cigar for cutting that is
positioned between said sharp edges.
[0020] This cigar-cutter device with blades that can be pivoted
makes it possible to have full control over cutting because said
mechanical coupling means make it possible in particular to ensure
that the blades, and more particularly the sharp edges of said
blades, are interdependent in their cutting movements about the
cigar.
[0021] This has the advantage of ensuring that the sharp edges
engage the cigar simultaneously and uniformly by distributing the
pressure forces from the edges against the periphery of the cigar
in identical and synchronized manner.
[0022] The disposition and the shape of the profiles of the cutting
edges advantageously ensure that each of the edges performs exactly
50% of the cutting work, with the cigar being pressed by the
symmetrical movement of the blades against the cutting edge of each
of them and being pinched by the semicircular shape thereof,
thereby enabling cutting to engage a maximum number of points
around its circumference and as a result preventing any crushing
and slicing of the cigar.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present
invention includes at least one plate including an orifice that is
symmetrical about said middle axis and that is preferably circular,
being suitable for receiving a said cigar, said plate being secured
to the two blades at least via their said pivot axis (or axes), and
said plate being disposed against the outside face of one of said
blades.
[0024] It will be understood that said plate does not cover the
handle and drive means of said blades.
[0025] The use of such a plate secured to the blades at least via
their pivot axis (or axes) makes it possible advantageously firstly
to ensure that the movement of said two blades and thus of their
sharp edges takes place in a horizontal plane colinear with the
cutting planes of the inside surfaces of said blades, which two
planes are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the cigar for cutting; and secondly to benefit, because of the
orifice in said plate, from means for guiding and orienting the
cigar for cutting, and also for acting as a gauge for defining a
maximum diameter for a cigar that can be cut with the device of the
invention.
[0026] Also preferably, the device of the invention has two said
plates, each having a said orifice, which orifices are preferably
circular. Under such circumstances, each plate is placed against
the outside face of one of said sharp edges and is secured to the
corresponding blade at least via its pivot axis, the orifices in
said plates thus being disposed in register with each other.
[0027] Such a structure for the device of the invention with two
plates placed externally against each of said cutting edges makes
it possible to avoid any slack between said blades and said edges
in a direction that is longitudinal relative to the pivot axis (or
axes) of the blades, and the application of twisting forces on said
pivot axis (or axes) during the movements for cutting a cigar. In
addition, this makes it possible to ensure that said two blades and
their sharp edges move in a horizontal plane that is colinear with
the cutting planes of the inside surfaces of said sharp edges in a
manner that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the cigar.
[0028] When the cigar has a diameter that corresponds exactly to
the diameter of said orifice in the plate, the cut around the
entire circumference of the cigar is at its most uniform and
clean.
[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of the cigar-cutter device of
the invention, said means for mechanically coupling the blades in
pivoting comprise at least two toothed portions secured
respectively to each of said blades close to their pivot axis (or
axes), each said toothed portion being inscribed in a circular
envelope centered on the pivot axis (or axes) of the blades and
co-operating by meshing to enable said relative displacement of the
sharp edges.
[0030] The term "toothed portion inscribed in a circular envelope"
is used herein to mean that the tops of the teeth of the various
toothed portions are situated on respective circles centered on the
pivot axis of one or both of the blades of the device.
[0031] In a first variant embodiment, said two blades have a common
said pivot axis, and one of said blades has a said toothed portion
that is convex, and the other of said blades has a toothed portion
that is concave, with a pitch circle diameter greater than that of
said convex toothed portion, and the device includes two gearwheels
that are secured to each other and superposed, sharing a common
axis of rotation, preferably where appropriate secured to said
plate, a first gearwheel meshing with said convex toothed portion
and a second gearwheel meshing with said concave toothed
portion.
[0032] The term "concave toothed portion" should be understood
herein as meaning that the tops of the teeth of said portion are
situated on a circle centered on the pivot axis of the blades and
that the teeth are oriented radially inwards towards said pivot
axis, and the term "convex toothed portion" should be understood as
meaning that the tops of the teeth of said portion are situated on
a second circle, concentric with the circle of said concave toothed
portion, and are oriented radially outwards from the pivot
axis.
[0033] A gear system is thus formed between said two blades of the
cigar-cutter device in which the gear ratio naturally depends on
the diameters of the various toothed portions and their numbers of
teeth, and thus on the spacing between the pivot axis of the two
blades and the axis of the intermediate gearwheels.
[0034] In another variant embodiment of the invention, said two
blades have respective distinct pivot axes, and each blade includes
a said toothed portion that is convex meshing directly with the
identical toothed portion of the other blade. In this embodiment,
it will readily be understood that said convex toothed portions
have the same pitch circle diameter equal to the spacing between
said two pivot axes of said two blades.
[0035] The gear ratio in this embodiment then depends on the
diameter of the convex toothed portions, on their numbers of teeth,
and on the spacing between the axes of the two blades.
[0036] Thus, a major advantage of the cigar-cutter device of the
invention lies in the fact that regardless of which embodiment is
selected, the use of rotary coupling means comprising toothed
portions forming a gear system makes it possible firstly to ensure
that said blades and above all said cutting edges move
interactively while cutting a cigar, and secondly to ensure that
the relative displacement of the blades is simultaneous and
symmetrical while cutting with the cutting forces of the sharp
edges on the cigar being equally shared, the lever effect between
each blade and the cigar also being reduced.
[0037] In order to make the gear system between the blades of the
device of the invention, the person skilled in the art will
preferably select toothed portions having spur teeth, or helical
teeth. That is to say the device of the present invention is not
restricted to teeth of a single type, and that any type of tooth
can be used.
[0038] According to another advantageous characteristic of the
invention, each blade is fitted at its non-cutting end with means
for driving the device, said drive means preferably comprising an
orifice suitable for receiving at least one digit and said sharp
edge of a said blade being situated between the pivot axis of said
blade and its said drive means.
[0039] The term "drive means" is used to mean handle means of the
device enabling the blades and their respective sharp edges to be
driven so as to cut a cigar. These means may be in the form of an
orifice or ring of the kind to be found on conventional scissors,
as used for sewing, but the invention is not limited to means of
this type. For example the means could be in the form of branches
presenting ergonomic bearing surfaces, in particular presenting
concave internal curves suitable for receiving the digits for
driving the blades.
[0040] In addition, this disposition of the blades between the
pivot axis (or axes) and the drive means of the blades provides a
lever arm that produces the force that needs to be exerted to cut a
cigar, thus making it easier to cut.
[0041] In a variant embodiment, said handle and drive means may be
formed by a dull side edge of a said blade, said dull edge being of
thickness that is at least equal to, and that is preferably greater
than, the thickness of the device.
[0042] Thus, in this variant embodiment, the cigar-cutter device of
the invention presents the advantage of being more compact, thus
making it easier to keep in a trouser or jacket pocket without any
risk of catching the fabric, as can happen with the blades of a
pair of scissors.
[0043] In an advantageous embodiment, said connection means include
resilient connection means between said blades.
[0044] Depending on the embodiment selected, the resilient means
are preferably a compression spring or a torsion spring mounted at
the pivot axis of the blades. These means advantageously seek to
hold said blades in an open position when the device is at rest,
and they also serve to oppose a force that resists the movement of
the blades towards each other while cutting a cigar, thereby
improving control over the displacement of the sharp edges and of
the forces they apply against the cigar, and as a result improving
the uniformity of cutting.
[0045] Advantageously, temporary closure means are also provided
for preventing the two blades from moving relative to each other
while the device is at rest, these means preferably holding said
blades in a close-together position.
[0046] By way of example, these means may be constituted by a
system of hooks mounted on the blade drive means or by any other
type of system known to the person skilled in the art, the purpose
being to protect the user or a third party from the sharp edges of
the blades when the cigar cutter is not in use.
[0047] According to an additional characteristic, the cigar-cutter
device of the invention includes abutment guide means serving to
limit the relative displacement in rotation of each blade. These
guide means preferably comprise at least one slider capable of
moving in at least one preferably-circular slideway, said slider
being secured to at least one of said blades or to said plate, and
said slideway being provided in the other one of said blades
and/or, where appropriate, in said plate.
[0048] These abutment guide means, associated with the resilient
connection means and said plate(s) advantageously serve to ensure
fluidity and continuity in the movement of the blades, and thus of
the sharp edges, during the cutting of a cigar, and also to protect
the sharp edges and the gearing system of the blades by keeping
them under the cover of the plate(s) during cutting or when the
device is at rest.
[0049] Finally, the invention also provides a method of cutting
cigars using a cigar-cutter device according to claim 1, in which
said two blades are spaced apart and a cigar is inserted between
the two blades, preferably inside an orifice provided in one of
said plates, and then the blades are moved towards each other by
imparting simultaneous and symmetrical relative displacement
thereto in order to cut the cigar, preferably by using the drive
means.
[0050] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention appear
on reading the following description of embodiments thereof and on
referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the various
component elements of a first embodiment of the device of the
present invention;
[0052] FIGS. 2 and 3 are plan views of a first embodiment of the
device of the present invention, respectively in the closed
position and in the open position;
[0053] FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of a first embodiment of the
device and its mechanism for synchronizing scissors in accordance
with the present invention, respectively in the closed position and
in the open position;
[0054] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of the device of the present invention;
[0055] FIGS. 7 and 8 are plan views of a second embodiment of the
device of the present invention, respectively in the closed
position and in the open position; and
[0056] FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views of a second embodiment of the
device and of its mechanism for synchronizing scissors in
accordance with the present invention, shown respectively in the
closed position and in the open position.
[0057] With reference to FIG. 1, the cigar cutter device
constituting the first embodiment of the present invention
essentially comprises: [0058] a pair of scissors comprising a
right-hand blade 1 and a left-hand blade 1' that are superposed one
on the other; [0059] two plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2; [0060] a
double-toothed gear 6 formed by a first single-tooth gear 6.sub.1
secured to and superposed on a second single-tooth gear 6.sub.2;
and [0061] means for connecting these elements together, preferably
a bolt 8.sub.1, 8.sub.2 and two pins 9 and 10 for holding the
elements together and moving them.
[0062] Each blade 1, 1' comprises an active portion presenting an
inside face 1.sub.1, 1.sub.1' in contact with the inside face of
the active portion of the other blade, and an outside face 1.sub.2,
1.sub.2' in contact with one of the plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 and
also with an actuator portion essentially comprising handle and
drive means 3, 3', the two portions being secured to each
other.
[0063] The active portions of the two blades and the plates
4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 present a shape that can be inscribed in a portion
of a disk, preferably one-eighth of a disk, i.e. presenting an
angle at the apex lying in the range 40.degree. to 60.degree., and
preferably substantially equal to 45.degree..
[0064] Each active portion presents a thickness that is less than
the thickness of the drive means 3, 3', preferably a thickness that
is substantially equal to half the thickness of the drive
means.
[0065] In addition, each active portion is faced over its entire
inside face 1.sub.1, 1.sub.1' in a "cutting" plane P, and further
comprises firstly two side edges, a first side edge forming a
cutting edge 2, 2' and a second edge 2.sub.1, 2'.sub.1 that is dull
and opposite from said sharp edge, and secondly toothed portions 18
and 18' that are respectively convex and concave situated close to
holes 11, 11' enabling the blades 1, 1' and the plates 4.sub.1,
4.sub.2 to be connected together by means of the bolts 8.sub.1,
8.sub.2.
[0066] The drive means 3, 3' are obtained in conventional manner,
preferably, for example, by making an orifice suitable for
receiving at least one digit in each of the blades 1, 1', or in a
variant they are constituted by the dull side edges 2.sub.1,
2'.sub.1 of the active portion of each blade.
[0067] The two blades co-operate with each other by pivoting about
an axis passing through the holes 11, 11' and by the inside faces
1.sub.1, 1'.sub.1 of the right and left blades 1 and 1' sliding one
on the other.
[0068] Because of the depth of the surfacing which is substantially
equal to half the thickness of the drive means 3, 3', the assembly
formed by the two blades 1, 1' presents a total thickness equal to
the thickness of the drive means 3, 3' of each blade 1, 1'.
[0069] In a first embodiment, the blades 1, 1' are connected
together about a common pivot axis YY'. The two blades 1, 1' and
their corresponding edges 2, 2' thus move by pivoting about the
axis YY' in the cutting plane P.
[0070] The pivoting between the two blades takes place about the
bolt 8.sub.1, 8.sub.2 whose longitudinal axis is constituted by the
pivot axis YY' common to the blades 1, 1'. Perforations 11, 11',
12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 are formed along the axis YY' respectively in
the right and left blades 1 and 1' and in the plates 4.sub.1 and
4.sub.2 so as to enable a nut 8.sub.2 to be inserted therein. The
screw 8.sub.1 is tightened in the nut 8.sub.2 in such a manner as
to leave clearance between the plates and the blades that is
sufficient to enable the blades 1, 1' to pivot relative to the
plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 while preventing any slack between said
blades and said plates longitudinally along the axis YY'.
[0071] The cutting edges 2, 2' are symmetrical to each other about
a middle axis XX' of the device. Furthermore, they are circularly
arcuate in shape, preferably comprising semicircles, each having a
leading profile that is concave and chamfered with the chamfer
sloping from the inside face 1.sub.1, 1'.sub.1 towards the outside
face 1.sub.2, 1'.sub.2 of said active portions of said blades 1, 1'
in contact with said plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2.
[0072] These cutting edges 2, 2' are advantageously situated
between the pivot axis YY' of the blades 1, 1' and the handle and
drive means 3, 3' of said blades.
[0073] Such a disposition for the cutting edges 2, 2' provides a
sufficient lever arm between the pivot axis YY' of the blades 1, 1'
and the drive means 3, 3' to reduce the force that needs to be
exerted in order to cut a cigar cleanly and uniformly.
[0074] Because of this particular shape of the cutting edges 2, 2'
on the blades 1, 1', the risks of bursting or flattening the
wrapper leaf of the cigar are greatly reduced or even eliminated
because the profile of each of the blades surrounds and comes into
contact with the cigar for cutting at substantially all points of
its periphery during the movement of closing the blades in order to
perform the cutting. In addition, because the cutting edges cross
and overlap during the stage of cutting the cigar, cutting takes
place without crushing or tearing the fibers inside the cigar.
[0075] With reference to FIG. 1, abutment guidance means 10, 15,
15' serve to limit the respective displacements of each of the
blades 1, 1' to an angle that is sufficient for cutting a cigar of
diameter that is less than or equal to the diameter of apertures
5.sub.1, 5.sub.2 formed through the plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2,
respectively.
[0076] These abutment guidance means preferably comprise a slideway
in the form of a substantially circular groove 15, 15' machined in
the active portion of each blade 1, 1' close to the drive means 3,
3' and centered on the pivot axis YY' of the blades.
[0077] The angle formed by each of these two slideways 15, 15' is
substantially equal to half the angle formed by the active portions
of the blades 1, 1', i.e. it lies in the range 20.degree. to
30.degree., and is preferably substantially equal to
22.5.degree..
[0078] A pin 9 mounted tightly in an aperture 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2
formed in each of the two plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 and extending
along an axis Y.sub.1, Y'.sub.1 constitutes a slider that slidably
co-operates with the slideways 15, 15' and limits the amplitude of
the displacement of the blades 1, 1'.
[0079] The pin 9 can be secured to the apertures 13.sub.1, 13.sub.2
in the two portions 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 of the body by means of a
force-fit, for example, using a pin having a diameter that is
slightly greater than the diameter of the apertures 13.sub.1,
13.sub.2, or by adhesive, or by any other method of connection that
is preferably both simple and inexpensive. The pin is preferably
formed by a rivet 9 having a spacer 13.sub.3 mounted around its rod
and acting as the slider that slides in the slideways 15, 15'.
[0080] In a first variant embodiment of the device of the invention
(not shown), the slider or pin 9 of the abutment guidance means may
be in the form of a respective stud advantageously disposed on the
outside face of the active portion of each of the blades 1, 1'
close to the drive means 3, 3'. The slideways or grooves 15, 15'
are then machined or formed in the plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 to
occupy circular arcs having a diameter equal to the diameter of the
circle desired by the stud when the blades pivot and centered on
the axis YY'.
[0081] In a second variant that is likewise not shown, the
stud/slider 9 is disposed on the inside face of only one of the
blades 1, 1' close to the drive means 3, 3', and the
groove/slideway 15, 15' is machined or formed on or in the inside
face of the second blade along a circular arc of diameter equal to
the diameter of the circle described by the stud 9 when the blades
pivot, and centered on the axis YY'.
[0082] With reference to FIG. 4, the minimum spacing between the
two blades 1, 1', i.e. when the drive means 3, 3' of the blades are
close together and the scissors are in a "closed" position, is
obtained when the left-hand end of the groove 15' of the left-hand
blade 1' comes into abutment against the spacer 13.sub.3 of the pin
9, and the right-hand end of the groove 15 of the right-hand blade
1 comes into abutment against the spacer 13.sub.3 of the pin 9.
[0083] With reference to FIG. 5, the maximum spacing of the two
blades 1, 1', i.e. when the drive means 3, 3' are spaced apart and
the blades 1, 1' are in a "open" position, is obtained when the
right-hand end of the groove 15' of the left-hand blade 1' comes
into abutment against the spacer 13.sub.3 of the pin 9 and the
left-hand end of the groove 15 of the right-hand blade 1 comes into
abutment against the spacer 13.sub.3 of the pin 9.
[0084] Beyond these two open or closed characteristic positions,
the two blades 1, 1' cannot be made to pivot without damaging the
device.
[0085] Substantially in their middles, the two plates 4.sub.1,
4.sub.2 have respective, preferably circular apertures 5.sub.1,
5.sub.2 suitable for receiving a cigar that is to be cut.
[0086] In a preferred embodiment, each of these apertures 5.sub.1,
5.sub.2 is accurately circular and presents a diameter that is
perceptibly greater than the diameter of a large-diameter cigar,
being about 22 millimeters (mm) to 25 mm at the most, so as to
enable several types of cigar to be cut, and more precisely cigars
of different diameters.
[0087] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the device is in the open
position, the sharp edges 2, 2' of each blade 1, 1' form a circle
of diameter that is perceptibly greater than or equal to the
diameter of the apertures 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2 formed in each of the
two plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2, and its center coincides therewith, so
as to enable a cigar to be inserted for cutting.
[0088] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, when the device is in the
closed position, the cutting edge 2, 2' of a blade is covered by
the inside surface of the active portion of the other blade. The
aperture 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2 is then completely closed, preventing the
user or a third party being injured while the device is unused and
in its closed position.
[0089] Furthermore, temporary closure means such as hooks 16, 16'
secured to the drive means 3, 3' hold the two blades in the closed
position while the device is unused. These hooks are of the same
type as is used on surgical scissors or forceps.
[0090] The device also includes resilient means, preferably of the
type comprising a compression spring 7, mounted between each of the
blades on two studs 17, 17' made in the active portions of said
blades. Thus, if the operator forgets to lock the two blades
together using the hooks 16, 16', the spring automatically pushes
the device into the open position so that the plates 4.sub.1,
4.sub.2 cover the sharp edges 2, 2' of the two blades 1, 1'.
[0091] These resilient means also advantageously contribute to
cutting effectively and uniformly in that they oppose the forces
resisting displacement of the blades 1, 1' during a cutting stage,
thus enabling the relative movement of said blades and their sharp
edges 2, 2' to be controlled better, thereby improving the
uniformity of the cutting movement and of the cut itself.
[0092] In this first embodiment, the cigar cutter device of the
invention is fitted close to its pivot axis YY' with means for
coupling the pivoting of the blades 1, 1'.
[0093] With reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the right-hand blade 1
has in its active portion close to the hole 11 a portion of a
convex toothed wheel 18 centered on the pivot axis YY'. The
left-hand blade 1' has a portion of a concave toothed ring 18'
likewise centered on the axis of rotation YY'.
[0094] More precisely, the tips of the teeth in the toothed
portions 18, 18' lie on circular arcs centered on the axis YY',
with the portion 18 of a toothed wheel facing away from said axis
YY', and the portion of a toothed ring 18' facing towards the axis
YY'.
[0095] The toothed ring portion 18' is machined in the end of the
left-hand blade 1' remote from its drive means 3', close to the
hole 11', thus defining a hollow space 19.
[0096] A gearwheel 6 connects the toothed wheel portion 18 to the
toothed ring portion 18'.
[0097] Since the active portions of the blades 1 and 1' are
superposed and fitted to each other about the axis YY' by the bolt
8.sub.1, 8.sub.2, the toothed ring and wheel portions 18 and 18'
are offset relative to each other longitudinally and transversely
relative to said axis YY'.
[0098] In order to compensate for these offsets, the double toothed
gear 6 comprises a gear of two levels for co-operating with said
toothed wheel portion 18 and toothed ring portion 18' and is built
up from two gearwheels, a top gearwheel 6.sub.1 that meshes with
the toothed wheel portion 18 and a bottom gearwheel 6.sub.2 that
meshes with the toothed ring portion 18' in the hollow space
19.
[0099] These two gearwheels 6.sub.1, 6.sub.2 are secured to each
other, and they pivot relative to the rigid body about an axis
Y.sub.2Y'.sub.2 by means of a pin 10 which is mounted in apertures
14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 formed in the two plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2.
[0100] The numbers of teeth in the toothed wheel portion 18 and in
the toothed ring portion 18' depend on the maximum spacing between
the two blades 1, 1'.
[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the toothed wheel portion 18 has
five teeth and the toothed ring portion 18' also has five teeth.
The bottom and top gearwheels 6.sub.2 and 6.sub.1 have respectively
14 teeth and ten teeth.
[0102] The pitch circle diameter of the toothed wheel portion 18 is
about 11 mm and the pitch circle diameter of the toothed ring
portion 18' is about 22 mm. The bottom and top gearwheels 6.sub.2
and 6.sub.1 have respective pitch circle diameters of about 8 mm
and 4 mm.
[0103] In this embodiment, the gear ratio of the assembly is equal
to 1.
[0104] The gearing formed by the toothed wheel 18, the gearwheels
6.sub.1, 6.sub.2, and the toothed ring 18' preferably have spur
teeth but they could have helical teeth or herringbone teeth.
[0105] In a second embodiment of the cigar cutter device of the
invention as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the blades 1, 1' pivot about
two specific and distinct axes Z.sub.1Z'.sub.1 and Z.sub.2Z'.sub.2,
and the means for coupling the blades 1, 1' in pivoting are
identical toothed portions 20, 20' situated at the ends of the
respective active portions of each of the blades 1, 1', that mesh
together directly, without passing via a gearwheel. The other
component elements are identical to the first embodiment.
[0106] With reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, the end of the active
portion of each blade situated remote from the drive means 3, 3'
close to the pivot axis Z.sub.1Z'.sub.1, Z.sub.2Z'.sub.2 defines a
portion of a toothed wheel 20, 20' having as its center the pivot
axis Z.sub.1Z'.sub.1, Z.sub.2Z'.sub.2 of the corresponding blade,
and being of radius equal to half the distance "l" between the
respective pivot axes Z.sub.1Z'.sub.1 and Z.sub.2z'.sub.2 of the
two blades 1, 1'.
[0107] Since the active portion of each blade 1, 1' is machined and
faced to have a thickness equal to half the thickness of the drive
means 3, 3', each blade has a shoulder in the form of a disk
centered on the pivot axis Z.sub.1Z'.sub.1, Z.sub.2Z'.sub.2 of the
blade and of radius equal to the radius of the portion of a toothed
wheel 20, 20'.
[0108] The shoulders 21, 21' provided in this way enable the blades
1, 1' to mesh together over a height that is equal to the thickness
of the drive means 3, 3'.
[0109] The blades 1, 1' pivot about two pins 22.sub.1, 22.sub.2
mounted as tight-fits in two apertures 23.sub.1, 23.sub.2 formed
through the two plates 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 in the same manner as in
the first embodiment. These pins 22.sub.1, 22.sub.2 are preferably
two rivets whose rods are provided with spacers 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2
that become inserted in holes made in each of the blades 1, 1'
through the shoulders 21, 21' and enabling the blades to pivot by
the spacers sliding about the rods of the rivets.
[0110] The gearing system formed in this way preferably has spur
teeth, but could also have helical teeth or herringbone teeth.
[0111] When the device of the present invention is in use, the user
inserts two digits in the drive means 3, 3', e.g. a thumb in one of
the drive means and the forefinger and middle finger in the other
drive means.
[0112] If the blades 1, 1' are locked in the closed position, the
user unlocks them by separating the temporary closure means 16, 16'
and opens them fully, assisted by the action of the resilient means
7.
[0113] The orifice 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2 is then free and the user can
insert the cigar for cutting therein and can hold the cigar in the
other hand.
[0114] The blades 1, 1' are then moved towards each other by
causing each of the blades 1, 1' to pivot about its respective
pivot axis YY', Z.sub.1Z.sub.1', Z.sub.2Z.sub.2' so as to cut the
cigar.
[0115] While cutting is taking place, the force exerted on one
blade is transmitted to the other blade through the gearing system
6, 18, 18', 20, 20'. This reduces the forces at the means for
coupling the blades to pivot, thereby limiting the force that needs
to be delivered to perform cutting and enabling the blades and
their sharp edges to move relative to each other around the cigar
in a manner that is simultaneous and symmetrical about a middle
axis XX' of the device, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 6 to 10.
[0116] As a result of such simultaneous and symmetrical
displacement of the sharp edges 2 and 2', the cigar is initially
clamped by the edges, substantially all around its periphery, and
is then cut simultaneously at all points around its circumference.
This avoids any crushing or tearing of the wrapper leaf of the
cigar and provides a cut that is clean and uniform insofar as the
edges 2, 2' slide during cutting in a common cutting plane P and
overlie each other, thereby each performing a cutting action over
more than half of the cross-section of the cigar.
[0117] Once the cigar has been cut, the user locks the blades 1, 1'
in the closed position using the hooks 16, 16'.
[0118] If the user forgets to perform this operation, the resilient
means 7 push the blades into the open position, so that each sharp
edge 2, 2' is covered and protected by the plates 4.sub.1,
4.sub.2.
* * * * *