Cigar moistening device and method

Abstract

A moistening device for a cigar includes a housing with porous mesh lining and removable cap, sized to receive a cigar; a docking station which receives the cigar housing in a slotted socket, the docking station including a water reservoir with heating element, temperature sensor, water volume sensor components; printed circuit board components which include a button to activate the device, an LED indicator light to communicate status, and circuitry to receive signals from the sensor components and control the heating element accordingly; and a power unit that receives A/C power and which and receives signals to the various components of the docking station. Moistening of a cigar is achieved by heating the water in the reservoir to steaming temperature, and channeling the resultant steam up through the docking station and into the housing containing a cigar, thereby restoring humidity levels of the cigar to provide an improved smoking experience.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A moistening device for a cigar, comprising:
 a body defining a housing sized to receive the cigar, sized and positioned to channel steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar;   a docking station with a socket to receive said housing, the docking station containing a water reservoir;   a heating element operable on said water reservoir, for creating steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar;   a temperature sensor operable on said water reservoir, for monitoring and permitting control of ideal steaming temperature;   a water volume sensor operable on said water reservoir, for sending water volume and generating and communicating a notification signal when water volume is too low for the steaming process; and   a power unit enclosed within said docking station.   
     
     
         2 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the power unit comprising:
 a circuit board powered by a power source; and   an actuation component for operating the power unit.   
     
     
         3 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the housing comprising:
 a channel having a channel opening sized to receive a cigar; and   a porous lining surrounding at least a portion of the channel.   
     
     
         4 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the temperature sensor located within said water reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the water volume sensor located within said water reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the power unit including a socket for a standard A/C power cable. 
     
     
         7 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the housing further comprising a plate positioned proximate the channel and opposite to the channel opening, the plate having at least one hole, the docking station fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas via the at least one hole. 
     
     
         8 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the water reservoir including a removable lid with a cylindrical raised section to receive said housing, and at least one hole to allow passage of gas through to said housing. 
     
     
         9 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap attachable to the body to close an opening of the housing, the opening sized to receive the cigar. 
     
     
         10 . The moistening device of  claim 1 , the docking station including an exterior shell to protect and conceal said water reservoir and power unit, said exterior shell having a removable lid to allow refilling of the water reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The moistening device of  claim 10 , the exterior shell including a button connected to the power unit, said button initiating the moistening process when pressed. 
     
     
         12 . The moistening device of  claim 10 , the housing attachable to the docking station via a slotted socket. 
     
     
         13 . The moistening device of  claim 10 , the power unit including a status indicator light visible on the exterior shell of the docking station. 
     
     
         14 . The moistening device of  claim 13 , the status indicator light capable of indicating:
 that the moistening process is underway;   an insufficient water volume in the reservoir;   the completion of the moistening process; and   a state in which said heating element is automatically activated and deactivated to maintain a temperature threshold.   
     
     
         15 . The moistening device of  claim 14 , the power unit including a circuit board for receiving information from said water volume sensor and said temperature sensor, and controlling the color of the indicator light based on that received information. 
     
     
         16 . A method for moistening a cigar, the method comprising:
 retaining the cigar in an enclosed housing, sized and positioned to channel steam for restoring the humidity level of the cigar;   positioning the housing in a docking station including a water reservoir, the housing, docking station, and water reservoir having at least one hole to allow passage of gas to the housing; and   heating the water in said water reservoir to a predetermined temperature for a set period of time to generate steam.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising facilitating gas flow along the length of the housing through a mesh. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising monitoring of the temperature and volume within the water reservoir by means of electronic sensors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , the generation of steam being by heating the water in the water reservoir and forcing the gas to the housing through at least one hole. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing control of the generation of steam by a power unit.