US2255491A - Means for humidifying cigars - Google Patents

Description

l 1941' j J. P. MOHEN 2,255,491

MEANS FOR HUMIDIFYING CIGARS Filed Nov. 8, 1939 'II III? ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE 2,255,491 MEANS FOR, HUMmIFYING CIGARS John P. Mohen, Clayton, Mo. Application November 8, 1939, Serial No. 303,357

3 Claims. {01. 299-20) This invention relates primarily to means for humidifying cigars and tobacco as displayed in glass cases in stores, although the same might be applied with equal efiicacy to the proper humidification of other goods or articles, wherever found necessary.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a humidor unit, including a container for holding water, for positioning in the case with the cigars, the container being constructed in whole or part of a specially proposed porous composition, and with walls of a correlated thickness, and being properly dimensioned relative to the porosity and thickness of the walls, so that when water is placed thereinand the open end inverted upon a tray, plate, cap or other closure, the weight of the water will not be sufiicient to push out under or through the closure, but the water will fall to the bottom of the container and be there retained by the closure under atmospheric pressure without, the partial vacuum formed in the upper end of the container assisting in the retention of the water, whereby the water will gradually penetrate or soak through the porous container walls and form a moisture on the exterior surfaces that will be taken up by the surrounding atmosphere for humidifying the cigars or the like in the case.

Another object is to provide a humidor unit including a container for the purposes referred Still another object is to form a container of.

the kind described, having a convenient form of removable closure for its open and inverted end, with means for securing it in place and for handling the assembled unit.

With the stated objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may appear from the following specification, preferred embodiments of the container, as made from the specified porous material, are shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a humidifier unit made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail, showing the construction of the auxiliary filler cap or plug.

Figure 4 is a detail of the bearing button for the upper, closed end of the container.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the closure tray or plate for closing the open end of the inverted container.

The invention comprises a container made of any suitably porous material, of suitable size for the purpose in hand and of any desirable form or shape. The preferred form shown in the drawing at MS in the form of an elongated cylinder, closed at one end 6 and open at the opposite end I. A small recess or depression 8 is formed in the center of the closed end, and a button 9 of some non-corrosive material such as aluminum is pressed into the bottom of this recess, for a purpose later explained.

While it is contemplated that the container will be normally supplied with water through the open end 1, an auxiliary screw filler port ill with cap Il may be provided in the closed end B, if desired.

A closure tray, plate or cap I2 is provided for the open end 1 of the container, same being greater in width or diameter than that of the container. As here shown this cap is in the form of a shallow tray with raised sides I211 for catching any accidental excess flow of water from the container 5. As shown in the drawing, the sides l2a are diametrically slotted at l2b. A looped handle or bail I3 is formed of a flat strip of metal or other suitable material, the free ends thereof being formed into hooks l3a adapted to releasably engage the slots l2b of the sides of the closure cap l2. The bight 3b of the bail is dimensioned to pass freely over the closed end of the container, and is pierced medially by a threaded bore l3c through which a thumb screw I4 is passed, down upon the button 9, and whereby the bail is releasably locked to its upright position, as shown inFigures 1 and 2. To remove the bail and the closure cap I2, the screw I 4 is unturned and the bail I3 is swung aside from the container, thus releasingthe cap or tray l2. If desired a thin, smooth cover plate It may be placed over the open end of the container, within the closure tray I2.

The container 5 may be supplied with water either by removing the closure cap [2 and pouring in the water at that open end and then inverting the container upon the cap [2 and locking same in place by turning up the bail I 3 and turning down the screw M; or if preferred the container may be filled through the auxiliary port It) at the normally closed end 6, the plug or cap ll being of course removed for the purpose. With this arrangement, the container may remain seated on its closure cap at the lower end, and fresh water supplied through the auxiliary port.

If preferred and in lieu of the free closure plate, cap or tray [2, a screw or threaded form of cap (not shown) may be employed, as a safeguard against accidental spilling of Water through over-turning the container.

A preferred method of making the porous container, and a preferred formula for the composition of the materials thereof is as follows:

Take 65 lbs. of clay containing rock fibers, 25

This material is then molded by conventional methods to form the containers, and the latter are finally heated in ovens to about 1958 degrees Fahrenheit, which process results in burning out the sawdust, and leaving a porous or semi-porous vessel through and up which water may seep and Work by capillary action, for the uses and purposes as above described.

From the foregoing description it is thought the use and operation of the device, as well as its mode of construction, will be fully understood The container is partially or entirely filled with Water in manner explained and then is inverted upon the closure tray or cap and locked thereto, and then is placed within the case with the cigars or tobacco, the resultant humidifying action being as above described.

While I have here shown and described a certain embodiment of the container unit and its and the steps of the method itself, may be varied within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. An elongate porous vessel closed at one end and open at the other end, whereby the vessel may be supplied with water, and inverted upon a tray with the open end turned downward upon the tray, the juncture of the vessel and tray being substantially air-tight, and the porosity of the vessel being such that the water is held in suspension by the vacuum formed in the upturned end of the vessel by the weight of the Water, the latter escaping only gradually through the porous sides of the vessel.

2. In a structure according to claim 1, a looped handle adapted at its ends for releasable connection with the tray, and having a bight portion for passing over the top of the vessel, and a thumb-screw passed down through the bight of the handle and adapted to bear upon the upper end of the vessel, for locking the elements together With the handle in upright position.

3. In a structure according to claim 1, a bearing button seated centrally in the upturned closed end of the said vessel, 2. looped handle connected at its ends with the tray and having a bight for passing over the top of the vessel, and a thumb screw passed centrally through the bight of the handle and adapted to bear upon the said button, for locking the elements together with the handle in upright position.

JOHN P MOHEN.

Images