WO1998028993A2

WO1998028993A2 - A method for preserving tobacco and a cigar making kit

Info

Publication number: WO1998028993A2
Application number: PCT/US1998/001118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Goldman
Original assignee: Mark Goldman
Priority date: 1997-01-02
Filing date: 1998-01-02
Publication date: 1998-07-09
Also published as: AU6245298A; WO1998028993A3

Abstract

A method of preserving tobacco includes at least one package of cigar leaves packaged in a sealed inert gas atmosphere (2, 3, 4 or 5) to preserve the freshness and pliability of the leaves for ease of rolling and freshness of smoking. A cigar making kit (1) includes at least one package of tobacco leaves disposed in a housing (6, 7) with a second package of glue to permit the sealing of the wrapper leaf about the cigar bunch during the rolling process.

Description

A METHOD FOR PRESERVING TOBACCO AND A CIGAR MAKING KIT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cigar making kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cigar making kit which seals or preserves cigar leaves in an inert gas atmosphere to maintain the pliability of the leaves for easy rolling and the freshness of the leaves for enhanced smoking pleasure.

2. Discussion of the Related Art Methods of making (i.e., rolling) cigars, either by hand or machine, are, per se, well known. For example, U.S. Patent No. 1,995,069 issued to Lim discloses a method of making a combination cigarette-cigar. U.S. Patent 1,824,400 to Halstead discloses a method of cutting and applying a wrapper leaf to a cigar bunch to improve the tightness of the wrapper leaf around the cigar bunch. These prior art cigar making or rolling methods have the disadvantage of providing an inhospitable atmosphere for the cigar leaves prior to rolling such that the cigar leaves are incapable of maintaining their freshness and pliability.

To roll a quality cigar, the cigar leaves must be pliable. It is believed that the lack of humidity in ambient air causes tobacco or cigar leaves to become brittle. Thus, when cigar leaves are exposed to atmospheric air for extended periods of time, they become stiff and brittle. Once the leaves become brittle, it becomes very difficult, if not impossible, to use these leaves in a cigar rolling process.

Although certain prior art, for example U.S. Patent No. 3,615,727, discloses the general use of nitrogen as a preservation agent for foodstuffs, and U.S. Patent No. 5,354,569 discloses the use of nitrogen as a preservation agent for lettuce, these patents do not teach or suggest the use of nitrogen or other inert gasses as a cigar leaf preservation agent.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cigar making kit which has the advantage of supplying the end-user of the product with cigar leaves that are fresh and pliable for rolling, and also has the added advantage of providing cigar leaves which, because of their retained freshness, enhance the smoking experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for making a cigar comprising the step of sealing tobacco (e.g. , cigar leaves) in an inert gas atmosphere to preserve the pliability and freshness of the cigar leaves. Thereafter, the cigar leaves are removed from the inert gas atmosphere. The cigar leaves are then rolled about a cigar bunch to form a cigar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompany- ing drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a cigar making kit according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view showing a sealed bag of filler leaf utilizing a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a top view showing a sealed bag of binder leaf utilizing a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a top view showing a sealed bag of cigar bed leaf utilizing a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a top view showing a sealed bag of wrapper leaf utilizing a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 shown in Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE

PRESENTLY PRF-FFRRFT) EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Fig. 1, a cigar making kit is generally indicated as 1.

Cigar making kit 1 consists of sealed bags or pouches 2, 3, 4 and 5 that respectively, contain filler leaf 8, a wrapper leaf 9, a binder leaf 10 and a cigar bed leaf 11. Bags or pouches 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sealed according to the invention described herein. Additionally, a sealed bag is provided that contains a glue in powder form (not shown). The glue can be activated, in a conventional manner, simply by adding water.

For purposes of display, ease of transport, facilitating sending to mail-order customers and other purposes, bags 2, 3, 4 and 5 (and the bag that contains a glue) may be placed in container having a bottom 6 and a top 7. The container 6 and 7 may be made from plastic, or any other suitable material, including wood, metal, etc.

Figure 2 shows filler leaf 8 sealed in bag or pouch 2 according to the present invention. Also, Figures 3, 4 and 5 respectively show the binder leaf, cigar bed leaf and wrapper leaf, all sealed according to the present invention. The binder leaf, cigar bed leaf and wrapper leaf are all preferably pre-cut to shape before being packaged. Although the invention will be described with particular reference to Figure 2, it should be noted that the invention is so described only to avoid needless repetition, as the bags depicted in Figures 3-5 are also sealed according to the present invention.

The process by which bag or pouch 2 is sealed will now be described. By way of example, the following process may be achieved by utilizing, for example,

VACMASTER^® model SVP-20, which is distributed by Crystal- Vision Packaging Systems of Torrance, California. Pouch 2 is initially sealed on three sides and is open on a fourth, top side. The filler leaf tobacco 8 is inserted by hand into pouch 2. Before performing the gas flushing process described below, pouch 2 may first be subjected to an optional vacuum packing step. Subjecting the bag to vacuum packing reduces the amount of oxygen in the bag by withdrawing air. This may be accomplished by, for example, vacuuming out the air through the open top side of the bag. If so desired, the optional vacuum packing process may be performed by any other suitable method. It is to be noted that the vacuum drawn in the pouch must not be so great so as to crush (i.e. , damage) the tobacco contained within the pouch. The tobacco or cigar leaves are then subjected to a gas flushing process, w- hich utilizes an inert gas, preferably nitrogen. As used herein, inert gas is defined as any gas which is essentially non-reactive or has very low chemical reactivity; non-limiting examples of inert gasses include the Noble gasses, such as, for example, Helium, Argon, Neon, and the like, and non-reactive gasses, such as CO₂, N₂, and the like. In a currently preferred embodiment, N₂ is used as the inert gas. Now describing the process, the inert gas is introduced into the bag or pouch containing the tobacco or cigar leaves. After the bag or pouch has been flushed by (i.e., filled with) N₂ (which may be commercial grade Nitrogen) or other inert gas such that substantially all of the remaining oxygen has been removed from the bag, the bag is then sealed. Sealing the bag prevents escape of the Nitrogen or other inert gas, and also prevents introduction of oxygen or atmospheric air into the bag. Figure 6 depicts, in cross-section, sealed bag 5 containing cigar leaves 11 surrounded in an inert gas or nitrogen atmosphere 12 as described.

Utilizing model SVP-20 described above, for example, the desired gas vacuum/flushing effect may be achieved at a vacuum pressure setting of between approxi- mately 1.25 to 1.5 MBars, and a dwell time of between approximately 2.5 to 3.0 seconds. The steps taken to roll a cigar by the end-user of the cigar making kit described herein will now be described. The components are generally as follows: torn or shredded filler leaf; cigar bed leaf; binder leaf; wrapper leaf; and a glue or gum.

Initially, at least one cigar bed leaf is rolled around the shredded filler leaf to form a cigar bed. Alternatively, a single long leaf may be used as a substitute for the shredded leaf, but it is usually more difficult to hand roll a single leaf cigar bed. Next, a binder leaf is rolled around the cigar bed forming a cigar bunch. The binder encloses the filler and gives the cigar its proper shape and size. The glue is wetted and applied to the inside end of the wrapper leaf. The cigar bunch is then rolled within the wrapper leaf. The glue or gum causes the end of the wrapper leaf to stay securely wrapped around the cigar bunch. The wrapper is crucial to the quality of the cigar despite only accounting for about 10% of the weight of the cigar. A good wrapper will have outstanding flavor and even-burning qualities.

As discussed above, the glue is also preferably provided in a separate pouch in the kit (not shown). The glue is a conventional glue and is preferably made from all natural products (which is tasteless and odorless when the cigar is being smoked), such as, for example, BERMOCOLL™. The glue pouch does not need to be sealed by the gas flushing process. The powder glue can be activated simply by being wetted by water before being applied to the wrapper leaf. Additionally, the glue can be used to affix the band to itself about the rolled cigar.

Having described the presently preferred exemplary embodiment of a new and improved cigar making kit, in accordance with the present invention, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that all such modifications, variations, and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT TS C AIMED TS- 1. A method of making a cigar comprising the steps of: sealing cigar leaves in a pouch in an inert gas atmosphere to preserve the pliability and freshness of said cigar leaves; removing said cigar leaves from the inert gas atmosphere; and rolling said cigar leaves to form a cigar.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, Neon, Argon, Helium and Nitrogen.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said insert gas is Nitrogen.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said cigar leaves include at least one of a filler leaf, a cigar bed leaf, a binder leaf, and a wrapper leaf.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the filler leaf is shredded.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of rolling the cigar comprises the steps of: rolling at least one cigar bed leaf around the shredded filler leaf to form a cigar bed; rolling a binder leaf around the cigar bed; rolling a wrapper leaf around the binder leaf and cigar bed; and applying a glue or gum to the wrapper leaf to bind the wrapper around the binder leaf and cigar bed.

7. A cigar made according to the method of claim 1.

8. A cigar making kit, comprising: a housing; and disposed in a first pouch, said at least one set of cigar leaves being sealed in said patch in an inert gas atmosphere, said first pouch.

9. The cigar making kit according to claim 8, further comprising a glue disposed in a second pouch, said second pouch being disposed in said housing.

10. The cigar making kit according to claim 8, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, Neon, Argon, Helium and Nitrogen.

11. The cigar making kit according to claim 9, wherein said cigar leaves include at least one of: a filler leaf; a cigar bed leaf; a binder leaf; or a wrapper leaf.

12. The cigar making kit according to claim 9, wherein the insert gas is Nitrogen.

13. A method of sealing cigar leaves comprising the steps of: placing the cigar leaves in an open airtight pouch; flushing substantially all of the oxygen from said pouch introducing an inert gas into said pouch; and sealing said pouch so that said cigar leaves are contained in a substantially oxygen-free environment.

14. A method of sealing cigar leaves according to claim 11, wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, Neon, Argon, Helium and Nitrogen.

15. A method of sealing tobacco comprising the steps of: placing said tobacco in an open airtight pouch; flushing substantially all of the oxygen from said pouch introducing an inert gas into said pouch; and sealing said pouch so that said tobacco is contained in a substantially oxygen-free environment.

16. A method of sealing tobacco according to claim 13, wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, Neon, Argon, Helium and Nitrogen.

17. A method of preserving tobacco comprising the step of: sealing tobacco leaves in a pouch in an inert gas atmosphere to preserve the pliability and freshness of said tobacco.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, Neon, Argon, Helium and Nitrogen.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said insert gas is Nitrogen.